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I like watching videos on You Tube involving the arts. Ex: young musicians just starting out, content creators who teach the arts, give guitar lessons, drumming lessons, teach fiction writing, and a wide array of artists. Well, the other day I saw a video about Artificial Intelligence in the arts. I’ve blogged about using AI in the creating process before…I consider it a cheat, a way to to use technology to get around a lack of talent, or because of laziness, or whatever. I won’t even use something like Microsoft’s Copilot. I’ll survive on my own merit or not at all. Period. But this video I saw was different. This one wasn’t about what I call cheating, it was about AI replacing artists. Let me elaborate.
They created an AI generated musician using software. It gave her a face and a name. Her name was Sadie Winter. They then used the software to create a song about a girl with self-esteem and confidence issues and how it affected her relationships. Within three minutes the AI produced such a song. Instruments, vocals, the works. The people making the video then took it to the streets. People thought Sadie Winter was a real person. When the folks doing the piece told them the story behind it, the people were incredulous. They could hardly believe it. I have to admit it was an amazing bit of technological greatness. I was blown away. Full of awe and wonder. But here’s where I take issue with the whole thing.
We are removing the human element out of the arts. Artistic expression is about as human as it gets. It’s a window to the very soul. It transcends language and cultural barriers. It’s about human experience and human connection. It’s global. It’s universal. Why do we want to mess with that? So big record corporations, producers, and content creators can buy some software and bypass the human factor to make money? If not money, then what? What’s the reason? Why would we want to do it?
I have mixed feelings about AI. I suppose that it can be a valuable tool in many ways. Technological advances in computers, the medical field, space exploration, teaching aids in classrooms, and much more. But as with everything else, there are those opportunists who will twist it into something ugly: another way to make money, to scam, fraud, coerce, and use it for criminal enterprise. Grandparents are being scammed out of life savings because an AI voice that sounds exactly like their grandchild calls and says they’re in trouble and need money. That’s only one example. Recently a news team did an experiment. The anchors listened to a reporter say something, a voiceover in a news piece. But it wasn’t them speaking. It was an AI generated voice. The anchors at the station couldn’t tell the difference. Even the reporter who participated in the experiment said it sounded exactly like her. Does that scare you at all? Does it shock you? Well, it should. I was utterly stunned.
In the most recent strike in Hollywood, AI came up as an issue. Actors and writers sought contractual protections about AI replacing them in future productions. They can write stories using AI. They can duplicate voices using AI. What else will they be able to do? I can’t blame the writers and actors at all. They have reason to be concerned.
As a novelist and lover of the arts, I am vehemently opposed to it. It’s wrong. It’s indecent. There’s something truly creepy about it. And as I touched on, that’s only one of the many ways AI will affect humanity in the future. I think it’s a wake-up call. What do you think? Please feel free to comment below. Please give the blog a like and follow my page. I’d very much appreciate it. And as always, thank you for taking the time to read my post. Until next time…
Ray
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Disclaimer: I am not a certified writing teacher. I’m just a fellow writer sharing my background and experience with other writers
Introduction
Who are the characters, what do they need or want to happen, and how far are they willing to go to achieve it. Where and when do the events take place. Inciting incident. That is: the event or circumstances that disrupt the protagonists ordinary situation, causing him / her to take action, driving the story forward. I usually write the inciting incident during the introduction phase of the story.
Rising Action
Events that create tension and conflict, be it internal or external, or both. The rising action is like the rising slope of a roller coaster, building anticipation and tension, gradually rising toward the climax of the story. This can be achieved by action, dialogue, or events, or better yet, all of the above. The key is to complicate the situation for the protagonist, raising the stakes, which builds the tension.
Climax
The highest point of tension in the story. This is where everything reaches its peak, comes to a head, and the protagonist must face things head-on and seek to resolve the situation / problem. But it can’t be too easy. Giving the protagonist false hope can make the story that much more riveting. Have them learn from mistakes until they finally find the answer. This marks a turning point in the story.
Falling Action
The events that take place between the climax and resolution. release of story’s tension, the downward slope of the proverbial roller coaster. To me this is one of the most hardest parts of writing. Tying up loose ends, lessons learned by protagonist, character growth (they should have changed somewhat since story’s beginning) Degree of change is writer’s choice, but some change should take place, even is writing an episodic series. (more on that in another blog)
Resolution / Denouement
All loose ends tied up, problems solved, story has a fitting ending. Always make sure there are no untied loose ends. And whatever you do, check for plot holes and if there are any fix them. Readers / Audience don’t take kindly to untied loose ends and plot holes.
That’s all I have for today. As always, thank you for reading. And Happy Writing.
Ray
Ray Rogers, Novelist 