What are the main challenges and opportunities for visual storytelling in the era of AI and big data?

COVID-19 researchers have a big challenge knowing where to find relevant articles to learn from. The issue is the massive volume of research articles to sift through to know if one is making a unique contribution. The Allen Institute for AI created a big data dataset, CORD-19 (COVID-19 Open Research Dataset), which contains more than 1M research articles. However, no solution existed to classify the article types into similar categories. Using topic modeling, an unsupervised AI classification model, we created a means to segment this big data dataset into meaningful buckets of topics. This allows researchers to zoom in on articles of interest, dramatically reducing the time to search through topics that are relevant to their research.

AI, or artificial intelligence, refers to the simulation of human intelligence in machines, enabling them to perform tasks that typically require human intelligence. This includes tasks such as learning, reasoning, problem-solving, perception, and language understanding. Big data, on the other hand, refers to extremely large and complex datasets that cannot be easily managed or analyzed with traditional data processing applications. AI and big data often intersect, as AI technologies are used to analyze and derive insights from large volumes of data, unlocking valuable information and facilitating data-driven decision-making across various domains.

I think one of the challenges for visual storytelling and AI is how to use this tool ethically. For news and nonprofits especially, being authentic and honest is hyper-important. I encourage our clients to list their AI policy on storytelling prominently on their platforms. Also, we need to recognize this a fast-evolving technology so it will change and we just need to be crystal clear on what we decide to do with it.

In the era of AI and big data, maintaining the human element in visual storytelling is crucial. While AI can enhance content creation and personalization, it also risks introducing bias, manipulation, and undermining creativity. Storytellers must navigate these challenges by ensuring ethical standards, authenticity, and emotional depth in their work. Balancing technology with human values is key to creating meaningful, truthful stories that resonate with audiences, avoiding the potential pitfalls of misinformation and loss of artistic integrity.

AI is helping with many tasks in visual storytelling, unblocking creativity, and providing multiple options in a short time to select the best one to communicate with our audience are some of them. The human element comes into action making the best decision with the information provided by the AI to tell the story.

AI is totally changing the game when it comes to storyboarding. Gone are the days when you had to get an illustrator to create each frame from scratch. Now, you can take your script or concept and have initial storyboard drafts ready in no time. With visual references right at your fingertips, you can jumpstart your design process easily. Also, by automating some of these tedious tasks, AI frees you up to focus on what really matters—the essence of the story you want to tell.

In our creative process, AI plays a critical role as a reflective tool, offering feedback and analysis on the structure, tone, and context of our content to enhance its readability and form. By leveraging AI's analytical capabilities, we can refine our work, ensuring it communicates effectively and resonates with our intended audience. AI tools, with their ability to dissect and suggest improvements in writing and visual art, act as an invaluable assistant in the editing phase. However, it's essential to recognize the importance of personalization when interacting with AI. Modifying requests and inputs to align with one's unique style and vision is crucial to maintain authenticity.

As an artist, defining one's style is an evolutionary journey, and in our case, AI has emerged as a pivotal collaborator in this exploration. The integration of AI into our creative process wasn't just about adopting a new tool; it was about venturing into a new frontier of artistic possibilities. The core challenge for us has been to harness AI's capabilities in a way that complements and enhances our artistic vision. AI alone, while powerful, cannot achieve the nuanced and complex results that the human-artistic mind can conceive. However, when its outputs are melded with human creativity, it can lead to extraordinary and unexpected artistic expressions.

In the world of gaming, "Detroit: Become Human" by Quantic Dream stands out. It leverages AI to craft an emotionally engaging narrative where players' choices shape the story's outcome. The game's intricate branching paths and lifelike characters immerse players in a gripping tale about androids' struggle for freedom, demonstrating the power of AI-driven storytelling in interactive experiences.

AI and big data have undoubtedly revolutionized storytelling by creating personalized, immersive experiences. However, the challenge lies in ensuring that these tools don't strip stories of their human essence. While AI can analyze data and predict preferences, the risk is that stories become formulaic, losing the emotional depth that only human creativity can provide. The key challenge is striking the right balance, where AI supports but doesn't overshadow the authentic, emotional core of storytelling.

The evolution of AI in our artistic practice was a transformative journey. As we leveraged AI and gained confidence in the quality and workflow process - AI rapidly became an indispensable tool for visualising more intricate concepts across various mediums including stage, television, galleries, and individual artworks. Its capabilities extended to automating complex 3D tasks, streamlining processes that were once time-consuming and labour-intensive.