Beyond the Hype: AI's Role in the Creative Process

When a new AI tool emerges, it often sparks a flurry of comments from various accounts, many of which predict the demise of the creative industry and the obsolescence of our jobs. However, such comments are often made without a solid foundation, merely citing a video from a newly launched AI tool like Sora. It's important to recognize that these tools, while powerful, are not replacements for the nuanced and creative work that professionals in the creative industry, such as post-production artists, bring to the table. 

The human touch, the ability to understand and interpret client needs, and the years of experience that professionals like us bring to the table are irreplaceable. While AI tools can certainly augment our capabilities and streamline certain processes, they cannot replicate the depth of understanding and creativity that comes from years of experience and expertise. Therefore, I firmly believe that our jobs are not in danger of disappearing. Instead, they will evolve, and we will continue to find new and innovative ways to leverage AI tools to enhance our work.

Oversimplification of the Creative Process:

The creative process is multifaceted, encompassing more than just technical execution. It involves critical thinking, emotional intelligence, cultural sensitivity, and a unique human perspective – aspects AI currently struggles to replicate. While AI may automate some repetitive tasks, it cannot replace the human ability to conceptualize, problem-solve, and evoke emotions through creative work.

Evolution, Not Replacement:

Throughout history, new technologies have emerged and changed industries, but rarely have they completely replaced existing jobs. Instead, they often facilitate them by automating mundane tasks, allowing humans to focus on higher-order thinking and more strategic aspects of their work. AI tools in the creative field are likely to follow this pattern, becoming valuable collaborators that enhance existing workflows rather than outright eliminating them.

Shifting Skillsets, Not Disappearing Jobs:

While some technical skills might become less essential as AI takes over certain repetitive tasks, new skills will emerge. The focus will shift towards understanding how to leverage AI tools effectively, using them to spark new ideas and streamline workflows. The ability to collaborate with AI, think critically about its output, and interpret it within a human context are crucial skills that will become increasingly valuable in the creative landscape.

Limited Scope of Current AI:

Current AI capabilities in the creative field are often limited to specific tasks and lack the versatility and nuanced understanding necessary to replace human creativity. They require significant human input and guidance to produce truly creative and impactful work.

Therefore, rather than fearing job displacement, it's crucial to embrace AI as a potential collaborator and upskill to navigate the evolving landscape.

It's important to remember that these "ignorant comments," as you aptly put it, often stem from a lack of understanding or an oversimplification of a complex issue. While staying informed and keeping an open mind to change is essential, remaining vigilant against sweeping generalizations and fear-mongering is equally important.

So, there are so many tools around. I’m sure there are more than I use, but I’d like to mention the ones I use that help my workflow as a post-production designer. 

Adobe Photoshop's AI Journey: From Skepticism to Excitement

Initially, Adobe Sensei's launch sparked a cautious interest rather than a wave of excitement. While it offered improved selection accuracy, it couldn't match the precise control of the pen tool, leaving many users, myself included, largely unfazed. However, amidst the seemingly incremental changes, there were glimpses of the transformative potential of AI. Content-aware tools hinted at a future of intelligent editing that I, admittedly, failed to fully anticipate.

Then, as the creative world buzzed with the emergence of Midjourney, Adobe unveiled Firefly. While undeniably a valuable tool, its true power lies in its seamless integration with Photoshop. This marriage of AI and traditional editing software, known as generative AI, empowers users to create what was previously impossible or significantly compresses workflows that once took hours.

While it's true that other AI tools in the field might boast superior individual functionalities, Firefly's unparalleled integration with Photoshop grants it a unique and undeniable advantage. However, room for improvement remains, particularly in its handling of human faces, which I hope will be addressed in future updates. Additionally, the "remove tool" deserves recognition as another impressive testament to the power of AI in Photoshop, offering near-magical solutions for removing unwanted elements from images.

Mobile Photo Editing: Photoshop Express

Striking a Balance Between Power and Convenience

While Adobe Photoshop reigns supreme in the professional realm, its mobile counterpart, Adobe Photoshop Express, caters to a different audience. For casual users or those on the go, it offers a user-friendly and accessible experience. While lacking the depth and control of its desktop counterpart, Photoshop Express empowers users to create impressive visuals through a combination of AI-powered features and readily available templates. This makes it a valuable tool for those who prioritize convenience and speed over complete creative control.

Topaz Labs offers an impressive suite of tools that extend beyond mobile editing. Its arsenal includes solutions for common photo editing tasks like noise reduction, sharpening, and resolution enhancement. It's not like in spy movies, but still as close as it can get. Notably, Topaz boasts some of the most powerful AI-powered tools in the market, many of which seamlessly integrate with Photoshop, offering professional users an extended range of capabilities.

Retouch4Me has a bad logo design but slick software solutions that speed up the daily lives of professional retouchers. While its AI functionalities might not outshine every competitor, its true value lies in the significant time savings it offers. As a paid service, it streamlines workflows and enhances efficiency, making it a valuable asset for professional retouchers seeking to optimize their work.

The Rise of Text-to-Image AI

Midjourney has emerged as a game-changer in the world of image creation. This text-to-image and image-to-image generation tool has witnessed remarkable advancements within a short timeframe. Its capabilities pose a significant challenge to traditional stock image providers, as it empowers users to create highly specific and customized visuals. While not without limitations, particularly in areas like hand rendering and occasional content restrictions, Midjourney currently stands as the most advanced tool of its kind. It has even allowed me, as a professional, to incorporate its outputs into client projects with great success. However, the restrictive nature of its content filters, designed to prevent the generation of sensitive content, can be frustrating at times, forcing me to switch to alternative platforms like Leonardo.

Leonardo presents itself as a strong contender, offering a unique and user-friendly interface alongside impressive image generation capabilities. Its flexibility surpasses Midjourney in certain aspects, and the quality of its outputs remains competitive. Additionally, it boasts features and functionalities not found in its competitors, making it a viable alternative for users seeking a more comprehensive and adaptable experience.

Magnific: AI Upscaling 

Magnific's initial release, despite my familiarity with AI capabilities, felt like a revelation. It offered a seemingly magical solution: adding details to images, akin to the image enhancement seen in spy movies. Imagine a blurred image transformed into a captivating scene brimming with details. However, it's crucial to remember that Magnific's "enhancement" isn't magic or true restoration.

While Magnific excels at adding details and improving resolution, it's important to understand its limitations. Notably, when presented with a blurred image containing a face, it simply generates a new, random face, not an accurate representation of the original. This is far from the "enhancement" depicted in movies.

Furthermore, Magnific's effectiveness is not guaranteed. While it can produce impressive results, it's not foolproof. Additionally, the number of enhancements available per month is limited, and the service itself comes at a significant cost. If you're not a professional relying on this technology to generate income, the cost-benefit analysis might not be favorable.

Overall, Magnific offers a glimpse into the exciting world of AI image enhancement, but it's vital to approach it with realistic expectations and a clear understanding of its limitations.

These are the tools I currently use and pay for. I plan to mention additional tools that could be beneficial in the future should the need arise. The reason I haven't included these tools in the list is that I haven't transitioned to a "paid" status with them yet. The reasons for this vary widely; some tools are expensive relative to the benefits they offer, others have limited capabilities but show promise, and still others I haven't found a suitable use for in my service offerings.