A critical look at the discussion between Raczek and Szczygielski regarding the impact of AI on the future of entertainment and media. How will algorithms change the way cultural content is produced and consumed?
I really enjoy listening to Tomasz Raczek talking with Marcin Szczygielski, because in their recent podcasts, they demonstrate extraordinary knowledge about the ongoing changes in algorithms, what AI is, where it will lead, and why the sad fight against this phenomenon is doomed to fail… Professions like journalist or actor are next in line to disappear. They discuss in an interesting way the signals that the changes are simply so radical that a revolution may occur. Anyway, I see more knowledge even in the context of trolling and content creation on the internet than many an IT specialist who mindlessly grinds their teeth on AI can show.
Interestingly, they recently mentioned that soon the entertainment production industry in the media will be reduced to an algorithm serving content generated on demand. That is, generatively creating it from a huge knowledge base. Acting will disappear, films will be devoid of certain nuances… and here is an interesting discussion scattered in their various conversations. For example, the essence of humanity. Szczygielski says that there is something like your memories, which shape certain connections in your brain, like the smell of oranges during your first sexual experience… Raczek claims that the brain is chemistry and it can be replicated in 0s and 1s. Up to a certain point, and machines will soon surpass humans to such an extent that conveying nuances will not be a problem. This is changing before our eyes.
The discussion also features a fascinating thread about facial expressions and the depth of a gaze. These are elements that AI cannot yet credibly reproduce. Raczek and Szczygielski predict that it will take several more decades for technology to reach a level that allows for the rendering of deep character psychology, subtle atmosphere, or emotional complexity, which, by the way, is already lacking in most contemporary Netflix productions (which apparently does not bother the mass audience - the question is whether there will be a demand for such productions and deep psychology). It is worth taking the time to listen to these conversations. It is an analysis free from technological hurrah-optimism or the pessimism of an IT specialist who is about to lose his job… presenting the actual state of AI development and its likely consequences, without embellishments or excessive dramatization.
However, I do not agree with the diagnosis. That is, of course, they both say that it will be a world of bubbles in which the algorithm will manage our needs and serve us content. A bit of a disappearance of individuality. The disappearance of some professions… so, I do not have such an optimistic approach.
Deepening information bubbles are just the tip of the iceberg. As I wrote in the analysis of the takeover of recommendation systems, AI algorithms will not only deliver content but will actively manipulate narratives, reinforcing conspiracy theories and disinformation on an unimaginable scale. Raczek and Szczygielski’s concept of AI creating films is the next stage of the same process - surrendering control over reality to machines. Read more…
The disappearance of unique cultural content is a contemporary digital palimpsest. AI algorithms creating content “on demand” will systematically replace authentic human creativity, similar to a palimpsest, where new texts were written over old ones, erasing traces of earlier works. This process has already begun, and the discussion between Raczek and Szczygielski only confirms its inevitability. Read more…
Mass generation of content by AI is also a path to the realization of the “Dead Internet Theory”. The vision of the entertainment industry dominated by algorithms brings us incredibly close to a world where a significant part of the internet will be created by bots, not people. Raczek and Szczygielski notice this process, although they seem to underestimate its destructive potential for authentic human communication. Read more…
Is the future of culture SEO for AI algorithms instead of for people? As I wrote when analyzing the dark side of content marketing, there is a risk that creators will have to optimize their works for visibility to AI systems, not to audiences. The prophecy of Raczek and Szczygielski about algorithms serving content is precisely this mechanism in action - the question remains: will there be a place for authenticity in such a world? Read more… and analysis of the market for books generated by AI
Unfortunately, because the statements about AI are scattered in various conversations, I recommend just a relaxing listening of everything :) Raczek and Szczygielski in Tomato YT.
SUPPLEMENT: Excerpts from conversations between Tomasz Raczek and Marcin Szczygielski on AI
Forgive the typos, but the transcription was done by… AI.
Artificial intelligence in visual art
The speakers discuss the growing use of AI in creating visual art and the changing perception of this technology. “TOMATO on images in our lives (32) | Tomasz Raczek and Marcin Szczygielski in conversation”
Practical experiences with AI in design
Szczygielski and Raczek share their experiences with using AI tools for graphic design and book covers. From the podcast “TOMATO on images in our lives (32) | Tomasz Raczek and Marcin Szczygielski in conversation”
Limitations of AI in language and creativity
Discussion on AI’s ability to understand linguistic nuances and abstract concepts from the podcast “TOMATO on images in our lives (32) | Tomasz Raczek and Marcin Szczygielski in conversation”
ChatGPT as a tool for information verification
Raczek talks about using AI as a modern source of knowledge, replacing traditional dictionaries. From the podcast “TOMATO on images in our lives (32) | Tomasz Raczek and Marcin Szczygielski in conversation”
The future of AI in the entertainment industry
A comprehensive conversation on how AI might take over content design and how this will affect the entertainment market. You can find it in “TOMATO with gingerbread (31) | Tomasz Raczek and Marcin Szczygielski in conversation”
AI as an advanced search engine with elements of creativity
Discussion about understanding the nature of AI - is it just an advanced search engine, or something more. You can find it in “TOMATO with gingerbread (31) | Tomasz Raczek and Marcin Szczygielski in conversation”
AI in journalism - the case of the interview with Szymborska
Analysis of the use of AI to create an artificial interview with the deceased Nobel laureate Wisława Szymborska. “ToMaTo - live from the International Book Fair in Krakow (26.10.2024)”
AI in the music and art industry
A conversation about the impact of AI on the creative sector, especially on musicians and composers. “ToMaTo - live from the International Book Fair in Krakow”
