I often request ChatGPT to compose poems reminiscent of the American modernist poet Hart Crane, and it consistently delivers excellent results. However, on a recent occasion when I asked the AI to infuse the Crane treatment into a plate of ice-cream sandwiches, I found myself disinterested even before viewing the response. The lines “The oozing cream, like time, escapes our grasp, / Each moment slipping with a silent gasp” were satisfactory but failed to captivate me. I read the poem, shared part of it with a colleague, and closed the window without much excitement.
Over the past year and a half, generative AI has captured not only the public imagination but also my own. For a significant period, the fees I paid for ChatGPT and Midjourney seemed more worthwhile than my Netflix subscription, providing entertainment and inspiration. I would sit on the couch, generating concepts like cheeseburger kaiju while the show Bridgerton played in the background, largely ignored. However, that phase now seems to have come to an end. The lackluster feeling I experienced while requesting Hart Crane’s ode to an ice-cream sandwich appeared to signal the conclusion of a brief yet remarkable era in technological history. Generative AI emerged seemingly out of nowhere, bringing both light and dark magic. If the curtain has now fallen on that spectacle, it’s not due to AI’s failure but rather its seamless integration into the background, where its true influence will be felt.
Reflecting on my ChatGPT history, I recall frequently soliciting Hart Crane-inspired content, such as an Emily Dickinson poem about Sizzler or Edna St. Vincent Millay’s take on Beverly Hills, 90210. I explored the AI’s capabilities by requesting verses from Biz Markie and Eazy-E about the real Snoop Dogg cereal Frosted Drizzlerz or a blurb about Rainbow Brite in the style of the philosopher Jacques Derrida. Initially, these requests were made out of curiosity to test each model’s creative boundaries and functionality. I discovered that AI possessed a remarkable ability to blend concepts with precision and creativity.
In a previous article for The Atlantic, I highlighted how generative AI, at its best, could enhance one’s imagination. I used DALL-E to visualize almost any idea that crossed my mind, spending hours crafting fictional histories like a 120-year narrative for a pear-flavored French soft drink named P’Poire or inventing Trotter, a cigarette tailored for pigs. These creations, born out of playful experimentation, now feel tangible and real to me, akin to any fictional world like Popeye or Harry Potter.
Gradually, the practical applications of AI began to overshadow these imaginative pursuits. While investigating the lemon-lime flavor for a story, I relied on ChatGPT for insights on the U.S. beverage market but had to verify the facts independently. When developing new academic programs, I tasked the software with suggesting names, albeit with diminishing delight compared to the sheer joy of a single AI-generated phrase like “jeans of stone-wash.” Nonetheless, these AI-generated outputs, though mediocre, served their purpose when needed.
The more imaginative uses of AI inevitably gave way to practical utility. A year ago, university professors expressed concerns over the technology’s implications, debating how to regulate the use of large language models in academic settings. For students, generative AI offered immediate productivity, aiding in essay writing and homework assignments. The widespread applications of AI continued to expand, with millions of users engaging with services like ChatGPT and increasing integration in various professions, as reported by Glassdoor and Pew Research Center.
The rapid adoption of AI stemmed from its novelty, but sustained growth required its transformation into a mundane tool. Inventions become significant not by dazzling with possibilities but by seamlessly integrating into everyday routines. The enchantment of creating new Hart Crane poems or whimsical ad campaigns gradually fades as AI evolves from a novelty to a commonplace tool. While I miss the initial thrill of bringing imaginative ideas to life, I recognize that the allure of early AI experiences will eventually wane. The fading magic and ensuing nostalgia mark the progression of a technology that is reshaping our world—a testament to its profound impact.
Ian Bogost, a contributing writer at The Atlantic, reflects on the evolving role of generative AI in our lives.
