Recently, a reader of this blog informed me about an author who used AI to write and publish a self-help book. The author described it as ‘the ultimate self-help book.’
That made me consider how the environment for digital creators will change with AI. Let’s discuss it.
How does AI impact digital creators?
Sometimes, we want to know how the future unfolds. Not being able to see a vision of the future makes us anxious.
One example is AI, which has made digital creation easier and decreased digital creators’ earnings. Some praise it, while some are skeptical of it. Empathic, logical people may tend to doubt it from my perspective.
However, AI is actually changing the world, and we want to predict the future. When we want to express ourselves, how can we generate income?
That is why we want to know how the future unfolds.
To make it easier to understand, I will introduce an example of spreading coffee machines. It may show you the essence of business and help you continue your expressive activity efficiently.
An example of the cafe industry
AI will drive out small businesses that serve only the masses. On the other hand, niche markets will be less affected.
To make it easier to understand, let’s look at an example.
Suppose there was an industry of cafes. All over the streets, many baristas, who are professional coffee servers at small cafes, were serving customers delicious coffee, and people enjoyed it.
In such a situation, an innovation occurred in the industry. A high-performance coffee maker was invented.
That machine delighted many people. It allowed even amateurs to brew high-quality coffee by simply adding beans and water. It became a social boom, and sales of the machines soared.
Many influencers, who have fundamentally newly become interested in coffee, frantically said, “This machine made the best coffee possible, backed by science. Now we can drink the world’s best coffee at home!”
On the other hand, many baristas, who have sought a better coffee experience for a long time, were skeptical of the machine. Despite its quality, they felt that something important was off. However, the number of customers and their income were definitely falling, which made them anxious.
The trends caused by the innovation
As the coffee machine spread, several trends had become noticeable in the cafe industry, as follows:
- The number of cafes in town has drastically decreased.
- Large chains came to dominate mainstream cafes.
- The cafes for the minorities survived with their unique value points and taste.
- The baristas who quit moved on to different industries.
How baristas changed
As a result, the overall social abundance and efficiency increased while maintaining diversity. Many people became able to enjoy delicious coffee more easily, while many cafes started to pursue uniqueness.
Baristas didn’t call just one coffee flavor ‘the ultimate.’ They knew that various factors affect its taste, such as place, quietness, scenery, lighting, cutlery, additional flavors, background music, and the comfort of the table. Those preferences diversify depending on the customer base.
They understood that all people are different. Judging only by one criterion and calling it ‘the ultimate’ was ignorant and arrogant. From a broader perspective, they began to provide unique satisfaction more creatively. That kept them in the cafe industry. In other words, baristas who clung to the masses without streamlining their business had no choice but to quit.
Some baristas who had a broader perspective could move on to another industry. They knew that making coffee was only a means of offering their love. A declining industry meant that the impact on improving people’s lives had decreased, while a growing one provided the value demanded by the times.
They abandoned their old common sense and lifestyle. They could feel what the generation whose desire for coffee had been satisfied would seek next. In other words, they changed and adapted to the times. They refreshed their values as the next generation. The revolution of the coffee machine satisfied even their lives and prompted them to the next stage.
For them, making coffee was a superficial means, even after many years of experience. Creativity eventually brings satisfaction. Since they enjoyed changing and learning new things, they chose more exciting fields as the next generation.
Then, a new stable state began, and people started a new life of improving society.
Conclusion
That perspective may show you the future of AI. AI is the same innovation as the coffee machine.
Although it impacts the industry, it is a part of social progress.
That example may show you the essence of business and help you continue your expressive activity efficiently.
Thank you for reading this article. I hope to see you in the next one.
