Are you afraid of being replaced?
The fear of being obsolete is a common concern for many people today, but it is especially relevant for creative professionals. With artificial intelligence (AI), many designers are worried that their jobs will be automated and that machines will replace them. Are you one of them?
There is some truth to this fear. AI is already used to create designs in various industries, from fashion to architecture. However, it is important to remember that AI is still in its early stages of development, and it is unlikely to replace human designers anytime soon. Even when AI does become more sophisticated, there will still be a need for human creativity and ingenuity. AI can generate designs, but it cannot develop the original ideas that those designs are based on. Human designers still need to think with a high level of innovation.
But AI is just a consequence of a more significant economic shift we face nowadays.
It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is the most adaptable to change — Charles Darwin.
The Decentralization Economy empower Creative Professionals
The decentralization economy is a new economic model based on the principles of blockchain technology and peer-to-peer networking. It is a more democratic and equitable financial system than the traditional centralized economy, and it can potentially empower creative professionals in some ways. If you know how to use it in your favor.
One way is by getting more control over our work. In the traditional economy, creative professionals are often forced to work for large corporations that own the rights to their work. In the decentralization economy, creative professionals can hold their work and sell it directly to consumers without going through someone in the middle.
Another way that the decentralization economy can empower creatives is by making it easier for them to collaborate with others. In the traditional economy, it can be difficult for creative professionals to find collaborators and to get their work seen by a wider audience. In the decentralization economy, creative professionals can use blockchain technology to create decentralized marketplaces and platforms to collaborate with others and share their work.
Positive Outcomes and Focus Areas for Maintaining Relevance
While the fear of obsolescence is understandable, there are many positive outcomes that creative professionals can achieve in a decentralized economy. By focusing on your unique skills and talents and embracing new technologies, you can position yourself for success in the future.
Here are a few specific focus areas for creative professionals who want to maintain their relevance:
Develop your soft skills: AI is good at automating tasks, but it is not great at understanding human emotions or motivations (not yet). Creative professionals can differentiate themselves by developing soft skills like collaboration and problem-solving.
Become an expert in emerging technologies: AI and other technologies are changing how creative work is done. Creative professionals who can maximize the impact of these technologies can give you a powerful competitive advantage.
Build a solid online presence: The decentralization economy is based on the internet, so creative professionals must have a strong online presence. Personal Branding plays a huge part here.
Network with other creative professionals: The decentralization economy is a collaborative environment, so creative professionals must network with others and build relationships. This can help you to find new collaborators, learn about new opportunities, and promote your work. Leave your phone for a minute and go for a coffee with someone in the industry.
If you want to get deeper into this topic, I also recommend reading Superminds by Thomas W. Malone. In his book, he covers the relationship between humans and technology, exploring the potential for collective intelligence to address complex global changes.
