AI Is Transforming Media Forever: Building a Digital Legacy Through Creativity and Knowledge Sharing

AI Is Transforming Media Forever: Building a Digital Legacy Through Creativity and Knowledge Sharing

In the ever-evolving world of media, AI is playing a transformative role that will shape the future of creativity and knowledge sharing. Media companies have long relied on monetizing creativity, but the creative act itself is inherently unpredictable. This has led to a constant search for ways to de-risk creativity, flattening the upsides but also dampening the downsides. However, these strategies also make it easier for AI to automate certain aspects of media production.

One effective de-risking strategy is to summarize other people's work. It is often easier to summarize something interesting than it is to create it from scratch. This approach allows media professionals to provide valuable insights and information to their audiences without the need for extensive original content creation. Additionally, finding a content arbitrage can be a fruitful tactic. By taking a piece of content that has performed well elsewhere and reformatting it for a specific target audience, media companies can tap into existing interest and engagement.

Early pioneers like Buzzfeed discovered the power of this approach by taking popular posts on Reddit and rewriting them as listicles, resulting in reliable virality. Another effective strategy is to create a format. By establishing a structured framework for creativity, the process of creating something new becomes more manageable. Formats can act as a template, making it a little more like filling out a Mad Libs and a little less like alchemy.

Shorter and shallower content also presents an opportunity for de-risking creativity. Complexity increases exponentially with the length and depth of content, making shorter pieces easier to create. Additionally, making sequels or remixing something old eliminates the need to come up with entirely new ideas. This is a common practice in Hollywood, where sequels are often produced due to the reduced risk associated with building upon an existing successful concept.

Moreover, interviewing people is another effective strategy to de-risk creativity. Engaging in interesting conversations and summarizing them can provide valuable insights and perspectives without the pressure of constantly generating new ideas. This method allows media professionals to leverage the expertise and experiences of others, resulting in compelling content.

While these de-risking strategies offer benefits to human creators, they also make it easier for AI to automate certain aspects of media production. Summary-based media products, shorter pieces, and content arbitrages are all easier to automate. However, this automation also presents opportunities for individual writers. With the cost structure of creating media products resembling software rather than traditional media, writers can have more leverage to create their own independent projects. This shift allows writers to devote more time to gathering new facts, conducting research, and producing longer, more in-depth articles that are less amenable to automation.

Despite the potential for individual writers to thrive in this new landscape, there are risks for those currently employed in larger companies producing de-risked types of editorial products. To navigate these changes and embrace the opportunities presented by AI, it is crucial for writers to learn how to use these tools effectively. By leveraging AI technologies, writers can enhance their creative output and create impactful work.

In conclusion, the transformation of media through AI presents both challenges and opportunities. De-risking strategies have become essential in the industry, allowing media companies to monetize creativity while minimizing potential downsides. However, these strategies also make it easier for AI to automate certain aspects of media production. Individual writers can seize the opportunity to create their own media products, leveraging the cost structure of software-like production. To thrive in this evolving landscape, writers should embrace AI tools and technologies to enhance their creative output. By doing so, they can create meaningful work and establish a digital legacy that resonates with future generations.

Actionable Advice:

• 1. Embrace AI Tools: Familiarize yourself with AI tools and technologies to enhance your creative output. AI can help streamline processes and generate valuable insights that can be incorporated into your work.

• 2. Develop Unique Perspectives: While automation may be more suited for summary-based content, focus on developing unique perspectives and in-depth analysis. This will make your work less amenable to automation and more valuable to audiences seeking original insights.

• 3. Leverage Social Platforms: Utilize social platforms like Glasp to connect directly with your audience, receive feedback, and gain inspiration for future posts. Engaging in conversations and building a community around your work can foster growth and create meaningful connections.

By combining the power of AI with human creativity and knowledge sharing, we can shape a future where media becomes more accessible, diverse, and impactful. Through embracing the opportunities presented by AI, we can build a digital legacy that transcends traditional boundaries and connects generations through shared knowledge and experiences.