I recently read an article in Entrepreneur magazine about the freelance jobs that are currently being transformed by AI. I wasn’t surprised that the article was written in a way that implied AI and freelancers could collaborate to create something unique; this is probably true. However, I was disappointed that the article failed to address the disadvantages that these freelancers face, such as how they will be financially impacted as more technology is developed to replace them. In this article, I’d like to discuss the freelance jobs that are under threat from the transformation by AI.

I’m not saying AI is bad! I just want to outline a problem…

I’m not claiming that AI is bad or not useful. It has left an indelible mark on every industry. Modern technology, without a doubt, has reduced the need for as many people on factory floors, behind the counter, and in a variety of other industries and occupations. Robots are now used on factory floors and in warehouses. In Tesla’s case, those robots are also created by robots!

Prediction: It has been predicted that AI will eventually replace humans in jobs that require high levels of cognitive functioning. In many cases, we’re seeing that when humans and AI collaborate, they improve each other (although it is very questionable). But is this needed? With the current economic environment and coming recession do we need more scary changes?

As an artist, I believe that articles like this one are critical in starting a conversation that businesses are afraid to have. I think it’s fantastic to work on and develop apps that help professionals with their jobs rather than replace them. Here are the freelance professions being impacted by AI:

ART

I recently published an article about Meta (aka Facebook) releasing their own AI system that can generate visual interpretations of text and sketch prompts. I was terrified when I first learned about this development. It doesn’t help when scientists and academics claim that when humans and AI collaborate, they improve each other. I believe it definitely benefits one end (AI learnings), as it allows the AI to learn more about what it is capable of producing. Meta employs these artists to help them gain a better understanding of visual design. When such a technology becomes available and is capable of producing extremely unique and original images, it will undoubtedly have an impact on creativity while also causing financial losses (job losses).

However, for some artists who find a way to collaborate with AI, it does not always imply a loss of job or money. Here’s an example: Sofia Crespo, who uses artificial intelligence to create art, was featured in Entrepreneur magazine. Here’s what they had to say about it:

Even the art world has begun to recognise the potential of human-AI collaboration. Sofia Crespo, an Argentine artist, is a member of the “generative art” movement, which uses artificial intelligence to create art. She creates rules for computers, which then use algorithms to generate new forms and patterns. What constitutes good contemporary art is constantly debatable, but generative art is beginning to pique the interest of art collectors and command high auction prices.

Entrepreneur

FREELANCE WRITERS

I think I’ve been bombarded with so many AI-powered writing tools that I’m not sure how many now exist. AI copywriting tools have grown in popularity, particularly among startups, because the majority are either have a freemium model or very inexpensive. However, this does not imply that they are effective. I see a lot of issues with AI writing tools, particularly with long copies. I haven’t used AI writing tools for my own business or work, but I have experimented with them. I wouldn’t say they’re bad; I’m confident that if I tried all of the top 10 list tools, I’d find a good tool. But do I really want to? Without a doubt, no. Our publications focus on writing more passionate content because we want to express emotion and understanding (something that an AI cannot or has not produced for us). That isn’t to say that millions of other businesses aren’t using AI tools to write articles and copy for them; it is, and it is having a significant impact on freelance writers.

That being said, Entrepreneur used an example of an AI app that allegedly helps copywriters generate content faster; check out what they said below (and let me know what you think):

Lightkey is an AI-powered writing tool that freelance copywriters and marketing professionals use to generate content faster without sacrificing creativity or accuracy. The app employs artificial intelligence to learn each writer’s distinct style and typing patterns in order to generate predictive text on a previously unseen scale. As a result, writers can write normally, only faster.

Entrepreneur

PHOTOGRAPHERS (EDITING)

In this case, I’m not referring to the actual process of taking photographs. More on the photograph editing part. I am not a photographer, so I would like to hear what all of you photographers have to say about the following.

Do you use any AI tools to assist you in selecting the best shots from a plethora of images imported into the computer? This process can take hours, and photographers have told Entrepreneur magazine that it is the most difficult part of their job. It is also the most straightforward part to apply AI to. Adobe Lightroom CC’s “Best Photos” feature uses artificial intelligence to identify the best photos from a group of similar images, avoiding human error and saving time. This enables the artist to swoop in and focus solely on the best photos.

Read the full Entrepreneur article here.