Staying Human in the Age of Machines
If contemporary artists don’t take control of emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), those technologies will take control of us—and the creative professions we depend on. The narrative pushed by some AI companies, often passive-aggressively, suggests we’re on the verge of being replaced. But let’s be clear: AI cannot fully replace us. What it can do is compete with us—and reduce opportunities for illustrators, graphic designers, and other creative freelancers, especially in areas already targeted by low-cost gig economy platforms.
Much like the upheaval of the Industrial Revolution, this shift was inevitable. Gig platforms have already undercut wages and saturated the market with self-trained creatives, particularly in industrialized nations. AI will accelerate this trend. There’s no avoiding that reality.
But this is not the death knell for creative professionals.
If you’re an illustrator or designer, the best defense is to lean into business savvy and double down on your humanity—the one thing AI can’t replicate. Personalize your work. Deliver exceptional service. Build real relationships. These are your competitive advantages. While some may need to pivot, this approach can help slow the industry’s over-reliance on AI and protect your role within it.
For fine artists and creators of unique, high-end work, the impact of AI will likely come more slowly. Collectors and investors aren’t just buying style or technique—they’re investing in you. In your story. In your mystique. In the provenance of the artist, as much as the artwork itself.
So make your life part of your art. Infuse your work with your lived experience. Think of your life as a canvas, contributing to your artistic legacy as much as your creations do. The rise of AI-generated video, audio, and fabrication may brush against the world of fine art, but it won’t replace us—so long as we keep our work fresh, deeply personal, and unmistakably human.
And above all, learn the tools.
AI isn’t something to fear—it’s something to master. Use it for ideation, experimentation, or production when it serves your vision. But never forget: we are not artificial. And that’s our superpower.
Take control of the tools. Stay true to your voice. And stay ahead.
©2025 JP Colin Design