If you’re a freelancer working as a photographer, graphic designer or video production, you’ve probably noticed how AI is rapidly being integrated into the software used by creative industries such as Adobe Firefly. Whether you see it as a useful tool or a threat to creativity, one thing is clear: ignoring it is not an option. Here are a few reasons why experimenting with generative AI is an important component of a media producers toolkit:
1. Staying Ahead Of The Competition
Freelancers who integrate AI into their workflow are likely to find ways of working more efficiently and effectively. AI-assisted video editing, AI-generated design elements or advanced photography editing using generative AI have the potential to provide an edge over those still doing everything manually. For those who remain sceptical and resist the changes AI is bring to the industry, there remain many misconceptions about the technology and understanding it might assist others is a useful experience.
2. Expanding Creative Possibilities
AI will not replace creativity—it is a useful companion for enhancing it. Tools like Runway Gen-3, Magnific AI and Midjourney can rapidly generate ideas, styles and effects which both accelerate concept development and inspire creative processes. Experimenting with these tools allow content creators to rapidly produce a wide variety of concepts, translate audio content to different languages, accurately rotoscope with minimal intervention and deliver many other services that were previously time consuming and costly.
3. Increasing Productivity Without Increasing Costs
Freelancing means balancing creative work with business management. AI can automate time-consuming tasks —background removal, creating a seamless nadir and zenith on a 360 photograph, rapid colour grading and colour matching, scriptwriting assistance. These time saving activities allow freelancers to take on more business without sacrificing quality.
4. Attracting More Clients
Businesses are actively pursuing opportunities to implement their own AI efficiencies and therefore a freelancer integrating AI into their own work in an intelligent manner will stand out from the crowd. By showcasing quality AI-enhanced work in your portfolio, you position yourself as an innovative professional who understands the importance of using this technology to maintain an edge over your competitors.
5. Future-Proofing Your Career
AI will not replace freelancers, but those using AI will have an increasing advantage over those that do not. Learning AI tools now prepares you for industry changes and fosters discernment as to their appropriate application – the more experience you have, the greater understanding of effective AI integration. You do not have to completely change your workflow overnight – by starting small it is possible to gain understanding of the potential and limitations. Maybe try some generative AI text-to-image experiments in Adobe Firefly for example.
Freelancers who understand effective uses of AI technologies will thrive. Those who ignore it risk falling behind. Ultimately, experimentation with AI tools cost relatively little but not experimenting with AI could cost you projects.
