Why we should generate new visions for our future

No.147:?Tue 30?May?2023

Hi, it’s David here.

This week's newsletter is a thought provoking piece by Anna Kerr Rose a community member, creative and artist.?

She discusses both the positive and negative effect AI could have, not only on our species but all species.?

But most importantly she starts sharing her thoughts about what we should be thinking as far as what the big picture manifesto could look like.

I think understanding the values that we adopt to engage with a world with AI is even more pressing than figuring out what value we can extract from AI.?

As always, I'm curious to hear what you think.

David Alberts?(Co-Founder and Chief Vision Officer?at BeenThereDoneThat)

Subscribe to the School of Athens on LinkedIn?here

Hello, it’s Anna?Rose here.

I’m a freelance Creative Director and artist who has been using machine learning for a few years now, both for clients and in my personal practice. Generative technology isn’t?new.?The first chatbot, ELIZA, was invented in the 1960s! But right now, we’re moving at a pace where it’s hard to keep up, and even harder to slow down. We’re in AI overload. Everyone from school children to the Supreme Court is talking about it.?

And, I think we need to keep talking.?

More than that, I think we need to write a manifesto for how we are going to approach AI as individuals. Especially those of us who have the power to shape culture through the work that we do (yes, I am talking to you personally). And I don’t just mean on the CSR briefs. If Meghan Markle has taught us anything, it’s that even telly ads selling soap have a profound effect on society.

Our industry often falls into one of two camps when it comes to machine learning; either diving in head-first to make the most of the “PRability”, or avoiding it in the hopes it will go away like the “metaverse” did. Both of these points of view are equally valid and wildly irresponsible. I’m interested in having conversations where we find the nuance between these binaries.?

Advertising as we know it, is already being hugely disrupted by these technologies. Who owns the license for a campaign made in Midjourney? Will we be sued for unknowingly using an artist’s style? What good is the brand ambassador when it’s so easy to deepfake a celebrity? These are important questions, but they’re just the tip of the iceberg.

The convergence of AI and creativity offers profound possibilities for shaping a better world. I’m aware that this is a lofty goal, but when you’re writing a manifesto, loftiness is critical.

Did you know that scientists are using AI to understand the communication of other species? By utilizing advanced sensors and AI technology, Karen Bakker is observing and decoding how various species, including plants, share information through the emerging field of "digital bioacoustics". Perhaps when we are able to listen to plants and animals, we will be forced to include them in decision making about the planet we all inhabit.

AI is also being used for the protection of indigenous languages and cultures, which have been systematically destroyed in the past. My ancestors were part of a dominant culture in Aotearoa (New Zealand) that sought to destroy Māori language and replace it with English. “Digital colonization” is a whole new threat. But groups across the world, including Te Hiku Media are taking back control. By reclaiming the data behind languages, communities can retain their histories and importantly their futures. This shift challenges the historical patterns of colonial exploitation and paves the way for a more inclusive and responsible approach to AI.

These examples are just a few that give me (critical) optimism for the future. So I think this is the manifesto for AI that I want to be writing:

AI is advancing with or without us.

But we, as creative humans, will do our best to shape its future.

We will use new learning to forge new connections.?

We will stop following fame, and all be famous.

We will make more art and lead the next renaissance.

We will collaborate with other species to restore our planet.??

We will listen deeply and confront historic injustices.

I'm curious to hear what you think.

Anna Rose Kerr (Community Member, Creative Director & Artist |?annaro.se)

If you enjoyed this and want to read more of my writing,?you will find me on Substack?where I share a light history of art and advertising.

Supporting Articles

1.?An artwork letting bees & butterflies redesign your garden

2.?Will you soon be able to talk to your cat?

3.?Māori are are saving their language from Big Tech

4.?If we can visualise the future, will we change it?

We'd love to hear what you thought about this newsletter! Reply in the comments below or reach out to us! To find out more about BeenThereDoneThat, connect with us on?LinkedIn?or visit our?Website. If you'd like to receive The School of Athens weekly newsletter on every Friday directly to your inbox, subscribe?here. If you'd like to get in touch about working with us or to hear more about what we do, email?[email protected]