Outlook: A case study on using AI
Jim Tierney
Issue: November/December 2023

Outlook: A case study on using AI

Having written the article for Post Magazine, I decided to let ChatGPT have a go at writing the same article. The challenge, as always with Generative AI, is to get the prompts right so it knows what you want. I tend to address it sort of like I'm talking to a human. The bot doesn't care and it's easier for me. Trying to figure out keywords and come up with the perfect prompt doesn't seem to work for me, so might as well use normal language.

So what did ChatGPT come up with?

Prompt: Write an approximately 400 word essay on how AI, and things like ChatGPT and Stable Diffusion, will effect video editors jobs.

Title: The Impact of AI on Video Editing: A Paradigm Shift in the Industry

The field of video editing has long been a bastion of human creativity and technical skill, but the advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is ushering in a transformative era that promises both challenges and opportunities for video editors. Two prominent examples of AI technologies that are reshaping the landscape are ChatGPT and Stable Diffusion, each contributing unique capabilities to the field.

ChatGPT, developed by OpenAI, represents a significant stride in natural language processing and understanding. While its primary application is conversational, its implications for video editing are noteworthy. ChatGPT can assist video editors by generating contextual, coherent text based on prompts, thereby streamlining the scriptwriting process. This not only accelerates the pre-production phase, but also provides a valuable creative resource for generating innovative ideas and dialogue.

Moreover, ChatGPT can enhance collaboration among video editing teams. Its ability to interpret and generate human-like text fosters seamless communication between team members, facilitating efficient project management and reducing the risk of misunderstandings. This collaborative aspect is crucial in an industry where effective communication is paramount to delivering a cohesive and polished final product.

Stable Diffusion, on the other hand, is a cutting-edge technology in the realm of image and video synthesis. Leveraging generative models, Stable Diffusion can create realistic and high-quality visuals, potentially revolutionizing the post production process. Video editors can harness this technology to enhance or alter visual elements, such as improving the quality of footage, correcting lighting issues or even creating entirely-new scenes.

While these advancements in AI present exciting possibilities, they also raise concerns about the potential displacement of human jobs. The automation of certain tasks, such as basic editing or content creation, might streamline workflows, but could lead to a reduction in demand for traditional editing roles. However, the nuanced and creative aspects of video editing, which require human intuition, emotion and storytelling expertise, remain irreplaceable by AI.

In adapting to this changing landscape, video editors must embrace AI as a complementary tool rather than a threat. By incorporating ChatGPT and Stable Diffusion into their workflows, editors can amplify their creative output, focusing on higher-order tasks that require human ingenuity. This evolution also necessitates a shift in skill sets, with video editors needing to acquire a nuanced understanding of AI technologies to maximize their potential.

In conclusion, the integration of AI technologies like ChatGPT and Stable Diffusion into the video editing industry represents a paradigm shift. While these advancements offer unprecedented efficiency and creative possibilities, they also prompt video editors to adapt and evolve. Embracing AI as a collaborative partner rather than a replacement is essential for navigating this transformative era and ensuring that human creativity remains at the forefront of video editing.

So, basically a press release or Fast Company article from 1999 when 'paradigm shifts' were all the rage. Let's try for something more nuanced that acknowledges AI might not solve all the worlds problems. Let's try again.

Prompt: rewrite the above essay, but remove the word paradigm. Also, acknowledge the shortcomings of AI.

Title: The Evolving Landscape of Video Editing in the Age of AI

The world of video editing is undergoing a profound transformation with the introduction of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Technologies like ChatGPT and Stable Diffusion are reshaping the industry, offering both challenges and opportunities for video editors.

ChatGPT, a creation of OpenAI, is a significant advancement in natural language processing. While its primary function lies in conversation, its impact on video editing is considerable. By generating coherent and contextually relevant text based on prompts, ChatGPT expedites the scriptwriting process, accelerating pre-production and serving as a valuable resource for creative inspiration.

Additionally, ChatGPT fosters collaboration within video editing teams. Its ability to interpret and generate human-like text enhances communication, streamlining project management and reducing the risk of misunderstandings. Effective communication is crucial in an industry where coordination among team members is essential for delivering a polished final product.

Stable Diffusion, a cutting-edge technology in image and video synthesis, leverages generative models to produce realistic visuals. This innovation has the potential to revolutionize post-production by allowing video editors to enhance or alter visual elements, correct lighting issues, or even create entirely new scenes.

While these AI advancements open exciting possibilities, it is essential to acknowledge their limitations. The automation of certain tasks may streamline workflows but raises concerns about the potential displacement of human jobs. Basic editing and content creation tasks may become automated, impacting the demand for traditional editing roles. However, the nuanced and creative aspects of video editing, reliant on human intuition, emotion, and storytelling expertise, remain irreplaceable by AI.

In adapting to this evolving landscape, video editors must view AI as a complementary tool rather than a threat. Integrating ChatGPT and Stable Diffusion into workflows allows editors to amplify their creative output, focusing on higher-order tasks that demand human ingenuity. This shift also requires editors to acquire a nuanced understanding of AI technologies to maximize their potential.

In conclusion, the integration of AI technologies, like ChatGPT and Stable Diffusion into the video editing industry, represents a fundamental shift. While these advancements offer efficiency and creative possibilities, it is crucial to acknowledge the shortcomings of AI. Recognizing the limitations and embracing AI as a collaborative partner ensures that human creativity remains at the forefront of video editing in this evolving landscape.

Ah, OK. AI has no shortcomings. It's just always awesome. It's kind of like when someone asks you in a job interview, 'What are some things you're not great at and need to work on?' and you promptly do a lot of humble bragging. 'Well, you know, I'm going to take over the world, but I really need to work on my interpersonal skills so most of the people in the world don't feel bad about it."
Let's try again. But I'll get rid of the requirement to talk about ChatGPT and Stable Diffusion to give it more words available for the discussion about errors.

Prompt: Rewrite the above essay, but you don't need to mention ChatGPT or Stable Diffusion specifically. Also, talk about AI's tendency to have errors and incorrect information.

Title: Navigating the Impact of AI on Video Editing

The video editing landscape is undergoing a significant transformation with the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI). These advancements, while presenting opportunities, also pose challenges for video editors.

AI, particularly in natural language processing, has become a valuable asset in expediting the scriptwriting process for video editors. The generation of coherent and contextually relevant text based on prompts facilitates a faster pre-production phase and serves as a source of creative inspiration.

Moreover, the collaborative potential of AI enhances communication within video editing teams, streamlining project management and reducing the risk of misunderstandings. This is particularly beneficial in an industry where effective teamwork is crucial for delivering a polished final product.

However, it is imperative to recognize the limitations of AI. The automation of certain tasks may streamline workflows, but it introduces the risk of errors and incorrect information. AI's tendency to make mistakes raises concerns about the potential displacement of human jobs, particularly in roles involving basic editing and content creation.

Despite these challenges, the nuanced and creative aspects of video editing, rooted in human intuition, emotion and storytelling expertise, remain irreplaceable by AI. The potential for AI-generated errors and inaccuracies emphasizes the importance of human oversight and intervention in the editing process.

In adapting to this evolving landscape, video editors must view AI as a tool that complements their skills, rather than a complete replacement. Integrating AI into workflows allows editors to amplify their creative output, focusing on higher-order tasks that demand human ingenuity. This shift also requires video editors to develop a nuanced understanding of AI technologies and exercise vigilance in correcting and validating information.

In conclusion, the integration of AI into the video editing industry represents a transformative shift with both opportunities and challenges. While AI expedites certain processes, its tendency for errors underscores the irreplaceable role of human creativity and expertise in video editing. Navigating this evolving landscape requires a balanced approach that leverages AI as a collaborative tool while preserving the unique contributions of human editors.

OK, that's better. But it still feels kind of stiff, with no personality. It's definitely not the article I wrote, or something I would write. Let's try a different tack:

Prompt: Rewrite the above but with the casual tone of an video industry insider. The article is written by a video editor for video editors.

Title: Riding the AI Wave in Video Editing: What You Need to Know

Hey fellow video maestros! The editing game is leveling up big time, thanks to our new pal, Artificial Intelligence (AI). It's bringing both cool opportunities and a few headscratchers our way.

So, AI's got this knack for natural language processing, making our scriptwriting gig a breeze. Imagine generating slick and context-savvy text at the snap of your fingers — hello, faster pre-production and a brainstorming buddy that doesn't need coffee breaks.

But wait, there's more! AI is like our backstage ninja, boosting communication within our editing squads. Project management? Easy peasy. Misunderstandings? Sayonara. Teamwork just got a turbo boost, and our final products are looking sharper than ever.

Now, let's talk real talk. AI's got a quirk — it sometimes throws curveballs. Errors, incorrect info, the whole shebang. This glitchy side of AI rings alarm bells, especially for us in roles dealing with basic editing and content creation. It's like having a wild card in the deck that might mess with our groove.

But here's the deal: AI might be the new kid on the block, but it can't replace the secret sauce we bring to the editing table. Our intuition, emotion and storytelling finesse? That's the magic touch AI can't mimic. And let's not forget, AI's blunders are a reminder that we editors are the ultimate captains steering this ship.

So, how do we ride this AI wave without wiping out? Embrace it as our sidekick, not a rival. AI joins our crew to crank up the creative volume, letting us focus on the juicy tasks that scream human touch. But hey, it's not a free pass. We've got to be on our toes, correcting the glitches and fact-checking like never before.

To sum it up, AI is giving our editing world a facelift. It's like having a trusty assistant, but one that occasionally forgets where the coffee machine is. We're in control, bringing our A-game and letting AI add some extra oomph to our video editing adventures. So, buckle up, fellow editors, we're cruising into a new era! 

Good lawd. Okay, let's backtrack.

Prompt: Um, okay. Rewrite but with a tone that's less casual. Still kind of casual but more professional. Also, no emojis.

Title: Navigating the Intersection of AI and Video Editing: An Insider's Perspective

Greetings colleagues in the realm of video editing. The landscape is undergoing a significant shift, courtesy of the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI). This technological advancement brings forth both promising opportunities and challenges that warrant our attention.

AI's prowess in natural language processing has redefined the scriptwriting process, allowing for the generation of coherent and contextually relevant text with remarkable efficiency. This translates into an expedited pre-production phase and serves as a valuable resource for creative ideation.

Furthermore, the collaborative potential of AI has enhanced communication within video editing teams, fostering streamlined project management and mitigating the risk of misunderstandings. This is particularly advantageous in an industry where seamless teamwork is integral to delivering a refined final product.

However, it is imperative to acknowledge the limitations inherent in AI. The automation of certain tasks, while increasing workflow efficiency, introduces a susceptibility to errors and inaccuracies. This becomes a notable concern for roles involving basic editing and content creation, where precision is paramount.

Notwithstanding these challenges, the distinctive aspects of video editing rooted in human intuition, emotion, and storytelling expertise remain irreplaceable by AI. The potential for errors emphasizes the importance of human oversight in the editing process.

In adapting to this evolving landscape, video editors are encouraged to view AI as a complementary tool rather than a complete replacement. Integrating AI into workflows empowers editors to amplify their creative output, allowing them to concentrate on higher-order tasks that demand human ingenuity. This paradigm shift also necessitates a nuanced understanding of AI technologies and a vigilant approach to error correction and information validation.

In conclusion, the integration of AI into the video editing industry marks a transformative juncture. While AI facilitates certain processes, its inherent tendencies toward errors underscore the irreplaceable role of human creativity and expertise in video editing. Successfully navigating this evolving landscape requires a balanced approach that leverages AI as a collaborative tool while preserving the unique contributions of human editors.

So less stiff/formal than the third version and not too casual, but still kinda...weird and wordy? Like someone trying too hard to use big words? And it hasn't given up going all in on cheerleading for AI, even while acknowledging some of the problems.

Anyways, I'm tired of prompting and reading and repeating, so I think I'll stick with my version. Maybe I need to train my own GPT on all my erudite writings. JimGPT? AnarchyGPT? WhatAreWeEvenDoingHereGPT? Fun times ahead 'colleagues in the realm of video editing'!

Jim Tierney is the President of DigitalAnarchy.com and Transcriptive.com.