A Heart-Centered Reflection on AI, Creativity & The Essence of Being Human

Photo: A creative and beautifully abstract view from train window. Fort William, Scotland (2021). Copyright SJPhotography

A Heart-Centered Reflection on AI, Creativity & The Essence of Being Human

Questions and discussions around the idea of Artificial Intelligence (AI) are more and more prevalent but offer little clarity about the power and impact on our lives and the world we inhabit. Everyone seems to have an opinion or no opinion at all and few seem clear or cogent. As a curious person and avid researcher, I was inspired to bring the lens of HeartBalm to the uncharted shores of this complex topic.

Our individual creativity is part of our unique and essential makeup. It is hidden and revealed within each of us differently. It is expressed and shared uniquely as an active, and extraordinary skillset that has its own unique fingerprint. Unlike AI, it cannot be duplicated or mimicked or created in the same way again. It can, however, be plagiarized, or duplicated through AI but without a soul, spirit, or individual flawed and imperfect nature to filter it through it is a cold, lifeless, one-dimensional action.

Our creativity lies at the center of our being and is supported, nurtured, and held by love itself. It is a heart-centered aspect that can be shared with the world or kept safe and hidden and for our eyes only. AI’s place in the creative expression of our human experience is like having a toaster for our heart, striving to beat consistently as a solely mechanist pursuit. But, it would fall short in harmonizing and syncing with the rest of our body, mind, and being, and would be unable to feel and express love and cultivate emotions to convey sadness when a loved one dies or empathy for another that has faced the terrifying ordeals of life.

The reward of our work is NOT what we get, but what we become.

_Paulo Coelho, “The Alchemist: A Fable About Following Your Dream”