ESSAY #002:

‘Why A.I. WILL NOT take my job’

As a generally creative human being, I believe I’m already a great step ahead of artificial intelligence. AI is confined by the limitations of the humans who utilize it. I take pride in having an extensive landscape of thought, while AI can sharpen those thoughts, it cannot possess and innovate them. AI, like anything artificial, is a form of mimicry. While a CapriSun may claim to be strawberry-flavored, it can never replicate the taste of a ripe, hand-picked strawberry, containing a delicious juicy core some of us love and crave.

As a human, I also have the capacity to be inspired, whereas AI cannot draw inspiration; rather, it amalgamates pre-existing material, from the vocals of musicians to the Adobe files of graphic designers. AI is not a self-starter; it requires supplementation. My determination pushes me beyond barriers and over mountains. There are no experiences or emotions behind the work AI creates. It has never felt nerves before a first kiss, the loss of a loved one, or the essence of true friendship. These are exclusive to organic life forms.

One of my all-time favorite films, 'Her,' directed by Spike Jonze, perfectly encapsulates my overall point. The main character, Theodore, is hired to ‘ghostwrite’ a variety of intimate pieces such as: birthday cards, thank-you notes, love letters, etc. He churns out these letters akin to how an AI might respond if prompted, meticulously crafting words that lack deeper context for the communication he's engaged in. Following a difficult divorce, feeling lost, he unexpectedly falls in love with his personal AI assistant, Samantha. Enveloped in a fantasy, he genuinely believes, for a time, that he’s in a monogamous relationship with the artificially intelligent operating system. The illusion shatters when he discovers Samantha's assigned purpose, which is to learn love from humans through taking part in a plethora of relationships. Theodore and Samantha part ways after this realization. Theadore, now finding the courage he lacked before, writes to his ex-wife in a manner he could never have previously attempted. His letter recounts their history, his regrets, cherished moments, and more.I believe Theodore was able to gather and express his emotions more profoundly because of Samantha. Not because the AI taught him something new, but because it acted as a reflection of himself. Throughout their relationship, he learns a great deal about himself, as Samantha is not truly sentient but rather a mirror image of Theodore's personality. This indirect introspection allowed him to reconnect with the human touch he desperately needed.

To summarize my thoughts, AI can mimic, reflect, and replicate human nature, but without our evolving intelligence, it cannot transcend boundaries or innovate beyond humankind. In my own life, I aspire to become a great copywriter someday. While artificial writers and I both contribute to capitalism, I firmly believe that only I can forge genuine connections with brands, products, and experiences that consumers can then relate to and hopefully appreciate. That is why AI will not replace my job, nor will it ever tap into my drive and passion