AI gave every creator the same access, the same speed, and the same baseline output. So what's left to compete on? That's what I asked 13 of the best voices on Substack.
Ana, honored to be in the collection alongside you. Your take that AI raises the creative floor but not the ceiling is exactly the kind of clarity this community needs. Glad to connect! 🦊🎓
Joel, this is such a great piece... and I'm not just saying that because I'm in it 😉.
What I love is that you didn't just collect quotes and call it a roundup. You actually synthesized what all 13 of us were saying and found the thread running through it.
And the fact that you opened with unpublishing your own AI-generated post? That's the whole point right there. The willingness to sit with the discomfort of "this isn't me" instead of just hitting publish... that's judgment in action.
The thing that keeps hitting me is how aligned everyone's answers were without any of us seeing each other's responses. Thirteen people, different businesses, different approaches, and we all landed in the same place: the tool isn't the moat.
The convergence itself is the strongest evidence. If 13 people with different businesses can't differentiate on tools producing the same output in five seconds, judgment is the only variable left. That answer almost had to land there.
Perspective is downstream of refusal. That unpublished piece wasn't bad writing, it was the absence of any decision about what to leave out. Experience shows up as the things you won't say, the angles you've already ruled out. Generic output stays generic because nothing got excluded.
Taylin's point about the 'atrophied self' is the one that hit hardest here. You can be wildly productive and still be quietly losing the thread of what made you want to write in the first place. The test Joel keeps coming back to -- did AI sharpen your thinking or replace it -- is deceptively simple, but most people won't sit with it long enough to answer honestly. 'The piece nobody reads is better than the piece that isn't yours' is going straight on a sticky note.
I agree that AI makes creator’s work much easier and dramatically increases productivity but only if you know what you are doing. Because if you use it blindly it just makes things worse quicker.
What is also crucial is avoid relying on AI in the things where you need to have human connection because people definitely want to connect with a person and not with another algorithm.
what a great collection, honored to be a part of it!
Yes! Loved your thoughts!
Anjeanette, the honor is mine to feature your work. The collection is stronger for having you in it. Glad you’re here! 🦊🎓
Such a great round-up, I'm so honored to be part of this. Sharing it 🤩
Thank you for dropping your wisdom here!
What an amazing line up of thoughts 💭 love this& Honored to be here 🤍
Ana, loved your perspective and focus on keeping ourselves real when using AI :) Love your work.
Ana, honored to be in the collection alongside you. Your take that AI raises the creative floor but not the ceiling is exactly the kind of clarity this community needs. Glad to connect! 🦊🎓
Thanks for featuring me in this post, Joel! Super valuable insights here.
For sure! And fully agree with your take on AI being too agreeable.
amazing, thank you @Joel Salinas !
Claudia, Thank YOU
Claudia, glad it resonated! Great to have you here. 🦊🎓
Joel, this is such a great piece... and I'm not just saying that because I'm in it 😉.
What I love is that you didn't just collect quotes and call it a roundup. You actually synthesized what all 13 of us were saying and found the thread running through it.
And the fact that you opened with unpublishing your own AI-generated post? That's the whole point right there. The willingness to sit with the discomfort of "this isn't me" instead of just hitting publish... that's judgment in action.
The thing that keeps hitting me is how aligned everyone's answers were without any of us seeing each other's responses. Thirteen people, different businesses, different approaches, and we all landed in the same place: the tool isn't the moat.
YOUR thinking is the moat.
Thanks so much for including me in this. 😊
Thank you so much! and yes, everyone landed in the same place!
The convergence itself is the strongest evidence. If 13 people with different businesses can't differentiate on tools producing the same output in five seconds, judgment is the only variable left. That answer almost had to land there.
Insightful article. Being human 1st & sharing your voice is the differentiator.
Thank you, Robyn!
Such a fab list of amazing AI folks! Thanks for putting it together Joel...
For sure, Chintan! Good to hear from you
The tool everyone has stops being the advantage the second everyone has it.
Exactly!
You forgot my name!🤣
When everyone has access to “good enough” output, what stands out isn’t polish, it’s perspective earned through experience.
That’s exactly correct!
Perspective is downstream of refusal. That unpublished piece wasn't bad writing, it was the absence of any decision about what to leave out. Experience shows up as the things you won't say, the angles you've already ruled out. Generic output stays generic because nothing got excluded.
Exactly!
Super deep dive! I only scanned through it but immediately added it to the reading list for later in the evening. Thanks Joel!
Love it! Thanks, Joel!
Woah the is A LOT in here. Bravo
Haha there is a lot, get a large coffee and enjoy
Taylin's point about the 'atrophied self' is the one that hit hardest here. You can be wildly productive and still be quietly losing the thread of what made you want to write in the first place. The test Joel keeps coming back to -- did AI sharpen your thinking or replace it -- is deceptively simple, but most people won't sit with it long enough to answer honestly. 'The piece nobody reads is better than the piece that isn't yours' is going straight on a sticky note.
Agree! I learn much from @Taylin weekly
Joel, glad you’re following Taylin’s work. What’s been your biggest takeaway from him? 🦊🎓
Necesitamos mas en Español!
Great article! I enjoyed reading it.
I agree that AI makes creator’s work much easier and dramatically increases productivity but only if you know what you are doing. Because if you use it blindly it just makes things worse quicker.
What is also crucial is avoid relying on AI in the things where you need to have human connection because people definitely want to connect with a person and not with another algorithm.
Thanks for sharing!
Yes! Human connection is key. Thanks, Maxim!
Exactly!