Me, Myself and AI: Lena Robinson’s Creative Journey

12/13/24 • 35 min

In this unconventional episode Lena Robinson, host and guest, dives into a self-reflective and candid conversation about creativity, technology, and the intersection of the two. Faced with a scheduling hiccup, Lena takes the opportunity to interview herself, offering listeners a rare glimpse into her multifaceted life as a creative, Kiwi entrepreneur, creative thinker, and champion of emerging tech.

From her early exposure to creativity through her parents' artistic pursuits to her current ventures with The FTSQ Gallery, Lena explores how creativity has shaped her career and personal growth. She shares insights on her journey as an early tech adopter, discussing how tools like AI are not only streamlining her work but also sparking curiosity and enhancing her creative output. Lena candidly reflects on her experiences using AI for idea generation, research, and overcoming mental blocks on challenging days.

The episode also touches on Lena's vision for the future of AI, emphasising collaboration over competition between humans and machines. With her characteristic warmth and humour, Lena invites listeners to embrace curiosity and take on a creative challenge using AI, making this episode a thought-provoking exploration of the evolving creative landscape.

Links mentioned in this episode:

Lena's Plant/Flower Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/flora.lishus/
The FTSQ Gallery - https://ftsqgallery.co.uk/
FTSQ Consultancy - https://ftsq.co.uk/
Oscar Mitchell-Heggs - https://www.instagram.com/omhlondon/
The Snug - One Hundred Shoreditch - https://www.onehundredshoreditch.com/social-spaces/
ChatGPT - https://chatgpt.com/
Tom Morley - https://www.instagram.com/_tommorley_/
Midjourney - https://www.midjourney.com/home
Canva - https://www.canva.com/
Vista Print - https://www.vistaprint.co.uk/
Popology Networks - https://www.popologynetworks.com/
Stephen Fry - https://www.instagram.com/stephenfryactually/
Stephen Fry - Quote mentioned - https://www.openculture.com/2024/07/stephen-fry-explains-why-artificial-intelligence-has-a-70-risk-of-killing-us-all.html

Where to find Lena Robinson on Social Media:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/robinsonlena/
Twitter - https://x.com/LenaRobinson
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ftsq_go_on/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/FTSQGoOn

Thanks for listening, and stay curious!

//Lena

//Stay Curious

Links mentioned in this episode:

Lena's Plant/Flower Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/flora.lishus/
The FTSQ Gallery - https://ftsqgallery.co.uk/
FTSQ Consultancy - https://ftsq.co.uk/
Oscar Mitchell-Heggs - https://www.instagram.com/omhlondon/
The Snug - One Hundred Shoreditch - https://www.onehundredshoreditch.com/social-spaces/
ChatGPT - https://chatgpt.com/
Tom Morley - https://www.instagram.com/_tommorley_/
Midjourney - https://www.midjourney.com/home
Canva - https://www.canva.com/
Vista Print - https://www.vistaprint.co.uk/
Popology Networks - https://www.popologynetworks.com/
Stephen Fry - https://www.instagram.com/stephenfryactually/
Stephen Fry - Quote mentioned - https://www.openculture.com/2024/07/stephen-fry-explains-why-artificial-intelligence-has-a-70-risk-of-killing-us-all.html

Where to find Lena Robinson on Social Media:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/robinsonlena/
Twitter - https://x.com/LenaRobinson
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ftsq_go_on/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/FTSQGoOn

Thanks for listening, and stay curious!

//Lena

//Stay Curious

Previous Episode

Play, Create, Innovate: Benjamin Southworth on AI’s Role in Artistic Evolution

In this riveting episode host Lena Robinson welcomes Benjamin Southworth, a polymath who seamlessly blends art, music, entrepreneurship, and technology. Known for helping found groundbreaking tech community events such as Silicon Drinkabout, Chew the Fat and Don’t Pitch Me Bro, Benjamin shares insights from his journey co-founding 3Beards and playing a pivotal role in London’s Tech City (now rolled out nationwide as Tech Nation), to where he is today. Whether helping to orchestrate art hackathons in the Tate Modern or designing digital tools for emerging economies, Ben's career is a testament to the creative potential of technology.

The conversation dives deep into the intersection of AI and creativity, exploring how tools like generative AI can serve as collaborators rather than competitors for artists. Ben eloquently discusses the joy and challenges of maintaining a childlike sense of wonder, both in art and in life, and how his upbringing among artistic parents shaped his philosophy. The episode also tackles pressing questions: Can AI truly be a “bicycle for the mind,” amplifying human creativity, or does its rapid adoption risk mechanising our artistic souls?

From musings on empathy as the cornerstone of meaningful tech to real-world anecdotes of using AI for problem-solving, this episode is an enlightening exploration of technology’s role in art, society, and the future. Tune in to hear Ben’s predictions, hopes, and concerns about AI's impact on creative expression and human connection.

Links mentioned in this episode

Benjamin Southworth's website - https://peaceandlovehq.super.site/
Tech City UK - https://www.techcityuk.com/about-us/
Book - Act of Creation by Arthur Koestler - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Act_of_Creation
React - https://react.dev
Python - https://www.python.org
JavaScript - https://www.javascript.com
Dennis SEVERS’ House - https://dennissevershouse.co.uk
Shopify - https://www.shopify.com/
Angus Steakhouse - Influencers misled - https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/ai-angus-steakhouse-reddit-london-b2638158.html
Tony Blair Institute for Global Change - https://institute.global
Eric Drass - Fine Artist - http://ericdrass.com

How to find Benjamin Southworth on Social Media

LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/benjaminsouthworth
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/inthecompanyofus/
Twitter - https://x.com/inthecompanyof

Thanks for listening, and stay curious!

//Lena

Next Episode

Curiosity and Creativity: A year in review with David and Lena - WithAI FM™

In this engaging episode of Creatives WithAI, host Lena Robinson reconnects with the podcast's former host, David Brown, for a candid conversation reflecting on 2024. Together, they dive into the standout moments of the year, share their perspectives on the evolving intersection of AI and creativity, and explore the themes shaping the future of creative industries.

David reminisces about his serendipitous interview with Daniel Bedingfield, highlighting the artist's experimental use of AI to fuse musical genres. Lena recalls her memorable studio session with Tom Morley, a multidisciplinary creative embracing AI across art, music, and film. Their conversation touches on themes of curiosity, adaptability, and the fine line between fear and innovation.

As they look ahead to 2025, Lena and David discuss the importance of fostering dialogue with advocates and skeptics of AI. They also hint at exciting plans for live shows and more diverse voices in the creative industries in 2025. Their closing message? Stay curious and embrace the unknown.

Top 20 Takeaways

AI is a tool for experimentation, not a replacement for creativity.
Serendipity plays a key role in creating meaningful connections.
Staying ready and proactive can open doors to unexpected opportunities.
Artists like Tom Morley and Daniel Bedingfield showcase AI’s versatility in art, music, and film.
The creative community remains divided on AI, particularly in music and film.
Legal frameworks for compensating artists in AI-generated works are evolving.
Fear often drives resistance to AI adoption in the creative industries.
Curiosity is a common thread amongst successful creatives.
AI can complement human creativity by expanding possibilities.
Younger generations are rethinking traditional career paths due to AI's impact.
Apprenticeships and hands-on learning are gaining popularity over formal degrees.
Live events and interactive formats can enhance community engagement.
Future AI tools will continue to disrupt and redefine creative workflows.
Cross-industry collaboration is essential.
Hosting skeptics on AI could lead to meaningful debates and deeper understanding.
Tools like HeyGen and 11Labs demonstrate AI's potential in content localisation.
Human creativity thrives on unpredictability and breaking conventional boundaries.
Podcasts can challenge societal fears and misconceptions about technology.
Sharing experiences and experiments with AI fosters community learning.
Staying curious and experimenting with new tools is crucial for growth.

Links mentioned in this episode:

Daniel Bedingfield - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Bedingfield and https://creatives-with-ai.captivate.fm/episode/e57-redefining-creativity-ais-impact-on-music-marketing-and-human-connection-with-daniel-bedingfield-and-fernando-garibay
Tom Morley - https://tommorley.com/ and https://creatives-with-ai.captivate.fm/episode/tom-morley
Andrew Grill - https://actionablefuturist.com/
Minter Dial - https://www.minterdial.com/
Oscar Mitchell-Heggs - https://www.linkedin.com/in/oscar-mitchell-heggs-252a21109/ and https://creatives-with-ai.captivate.fm/episode/is-ai-a-cheat-code-for-creatives-oscar-mitchell-heggs-weighs-in
Tim Carter - https://timcarter.org/ and https://creatives-with-ai.captivate.fm/episode/ai-in-film-will-solve-the-monkey-problem-with-tim-carter
Stephen Fry - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Fry

Creatives WithAI™ - Me, Myself and AI: Lena Robinson’s Creative Journey

Transcript

//Host Lena Robinson

Hi everyone, welcome to Creatives WithAI. I'm your host, Lena Robinson. Today, I am going to be doing something very different. We had a little bit of a scheduling issue, and one of my podcast guests couldn't turn up today. So I've decided to interview myself, Lena Robinson, the creative. So it could be interesting, it could be weird, and Dave might have a very interesting time editing this today.

So let's see how this goes.

So Lena, can you tell us a