Creativity has always been a deeply personal experience—a space where we pour our thoughts, feelings, and imagination into something uniquely ours. For years, my creative process involved long stretches of solitude, late-night musings, and an intimate relationship with words. Poetry was my refuge, a place where I could express myself freely without the need for validation. But in the past few years, a powerful shift has occurred. Artificial Intelligence (AI) has entered the creative arena, and while some embrace it wholeheartedly, others—like me—have struggled to find a balance between traditional, personal creativity and this new technological frontier.
As someone who has always valued the slow, organic process of creation, the idea of using AI to assist or even co-create felt like I was betraying something essential to my identity as a writer.
I know I’m not alone in this struggle. For those of us who have spent years honing our craft, there’s a certain pride in saying, “I made this.” It’s not just about the final product; it’s about the journey—the late nights, the moments of doubt, and the eventual breakthrough that comes when inspiration finally strikes. The thought of handing over part of that process to AI can feel like we’re losing control or, worse, devaluing our own work.
AI tools are becoming increasingly sophisticated. They can write poems, generate stories, and even analyse emotions to create compelling narratives. But for people who, like me, value the raw, unfiltered act of creation, AI can feel impersonal. It’s a tool, yes, but one that seems to remove the artist’s hand from the canvas.
For a long time, I resisted using AI in my creative process. I told myself it wasn’t for me, that real creativity couldn’t come from a machine. I was fiercely protective of my own methods, even as I saw others around me embracing AI with open arms, producing work faster and with more precision. There was an internal battle between wanting to stay true to my roots and recognizing that the world around me was changing.
However, something changed in the past year. I started exploring AI in the context of digital technology and realized that, just as the world evolves, so too must we. The truth is, AI isn’t the enemy. It’s a tool—much like a pen or a paintbrush—that can enhance creativity if used mindfully. The key is to strike a balance between what we create with our hearts and what we can enhance with technology.
One of the lessons I’ve learned is that AI doesn’t have to replace traditional methods. It can complement them. For instance, AI can help with brainstorming, idea generation, and even editing, leaving the core creative process—where our personal voice and style shine—untouched. The struggle lies in finding a way to integrate AI into the creative journey without feeling like we’ve compromised our authenticity.
I began experimenting with AI in small ways. I would draft a piece of writing and then use AI to explore different iterations or angles I hadn’t considered. To my surprise, it didn’t detract from my work—it enhanced it. Instead of seeing AI as a threat, I began to view it as a collaborator, a tool that could push me to think differently and explore new creative possibilities.
Finding this balance wasn’t easy. It took time and many failed attempts, but eventually, I learned to embrace the fusion of creativity and technology. My process evolved, and in that evolution, I discovered that AI wasn’t an adversary to my traditional approach; it was a bridge to new possibilities. It allowed me to experiment and push the boundaries of what I could create without losing my voice.
For anyone who feels hesitant about using AI in their creative work, I encourage you to take your time. It’s okay to hold on to tradition, to value the hands-on process that defines your art. But also remember that AI doesn’t have to diminish your role—it can amplify your creativity, providing new tools and perspectives that you might not have considered otherwise.
I still cherish the process of writing by hand, of sitting with my thoughts and letting the words flow naturally. But I’ve also come to appreciate the moments when AI can step in to offer a fresh perspective, to help me refine my work without taking away from the essence of what I’ve created.
And now, as I prepare to launch my new book, this blend of creativity and AI has become a part of my evolution as an artist. My book, a culmination of my thoughts and experiences is a story that I hope resonates with others who, like me, are finding their way in this rapidly changing creative landscape.
As I move forward, I realize that it’s not about choosing between tradition and innovation; it’s about finding harmony between the two. And in that harmony, the possibilities are endless.