Why Most People Won't Use GenAI to Become Professionals
Most people won't use Generative AI (GenAI) to become experts or professionals, just as most people didn't use automatic bread makers to become artisan bakers or the advanced cameras on mobile phones to become filmmakers. While technology has lowered barriers to entry and democratized tools once exclusive to specialists, the majority won't leverage these advancements to achieve mastery.
Possible Fields Impacted by GenAI
Professional Writers: GenAI can generate text, but most people won't become professional writers.
Artists: While GenAI creates photos and illustrations, not everyone will become an artist.
Software Developers: GenAI can write code snippets, yet very few will become full-fledged developers.
Game Developers: GenAI can create basic demo games, but hardly anyone will become actual game developers.
Musicians/Composers: AI can compose music, but very few will use it to become musicians.
Accessibility vs. Mastery
Technology has a long history of making tools more accessible, allowing people to explore new skills with ease. However, accessibility doesn't equate to mastery. Just because tools are readily available doesn't mean people will use them to pursue expertise in a specific field.
Why is this?
Initial Interest vs. Sustained Effort
Many might dabble out of curiosity but won't commit to the sustained effort required to excel. The initial excitement of using GenAI to generate a piece of music or a chunk of code can be exciting, but maintaining that level of engagement over time demands dedication.
Creativity and Drive
True excellence requires creativity and drive, qualities that technology can't replace. While GenAI can assist in generating ideas or prototypes, the human elements of innovation and persistence remain irreplaceable.
Why This Tends to Hold True
Lack of Passion
Not everyone has a deep interest in becoming an expert in these fields. It's fun and energizing at first to have GenAI output impressive work to share with friends, but without genuine passion, sustaining that enthusiasm over the long term is challenging.
Time and Effort
Mastery requires significant time and effort that many are unwilling to invest. We live in a TikTok world where instant gratification is the norm, why spend years perfecting the art of baking when you can simply dump ingredients into a machine and press a button?
Satisfaction with Casual Use
People might be content with casual, fun use without seeking professional status. Consider all the side projects you've started, how many evolved beyond a casual hobby into a serious endeavor? The same applies to using GenAI for creative pursuits.
A Few Final Thoughts to Chew On
Democratization vs. Professionalism
While tools become available to all, professionalism remains rare. The ease of access doesn't diminish the value of professional work. instead, it highlights the massive gap between casual users and dedicated experts.
Cultural Impact
Even if not everyone becomes a professional, widespread use of advanced tools can still impact culture and industries. Larger, established players might leverage technology to increase efficiencies and profit margins, shaping industry trends, creating more jobs in some areas while eliminating jobs in others.
Opportunity for the Driven Few
Those who combine accessible tools with creativity and drive can indeed achieve remarkable things. They have the potential to compete with major players, now more than any other time in history, and perhaps they too can become industry leaders themselves one day.
While GenAI and similar technologies open doors for many to explore new skills, the journey from novice to expert isn't one that most will undertake. The allure of instant results can't replace the fulfillment derived from true mastery, which requires passion, time, and relentless effort.
For the few who harness these tools with genuine dedication, the possibilities are limitless. For the majority, these advancements will remain as instruments for casual enjoyment rather than pathways to professional achievement.
