Digitalization in my own field
I work with crafts and art as a creator and teacher at an adult education center. One of the most significant reasons for participating in this course was the feeling that I have somewhat fallen behind in digitalization. For a long time, I believed that I didn’t need to learn new digital skills, but recently I have realized that mastering new skills wouldn’t hurt and it would be good to at least familiarize myself with the opportunities brought by digitalization.
I believe that digitalization will not significantly impact most of the subjects I teach in the future either. We will continue to weave on looms without digital machines. It may be that in the future, enthusiasm for hands-on work will only increase. People crave hands-on activities and the ability to see the tangible results of their work as a counterbalance to the digital world.
Open digital society and GDPR
I work mainly with slightly older people at the adult education center. They clearly have challenges understanding the risks of their personal information spreading digitally. As an artist, I feel great pressure about how open I should be about things. For example, it is easier to gain visibility on social media services by sharing personal information, but I have considered it more important to protect my identity and try to be careful about what I voluntarily reveal about myself.
GDPR has had very little significance for my work. In my teaching duties, I of course have to handle some personal data and I just need to remember to be careful with it. Sometimes my students find it difficult to understand why, for example, I cannot give them another student’s phone number.
AI and Chat GPT
I have used AI a bit before this task. It has been most useful in the idea development phase. AI compiles existing information, which can then be used as a basis for developing new, more creative solutions. I asked Chat GPT about the future of the crafts field. According to Chat GPT, the future of the crafts field looks promising, as long as the industry’s players can adapt to the changing world. Chat GPT also recognizes that certain craft techniques are likely to persist, but the ways in which crafts are presented, for example, need digitalization. Similarly, regarding the future of art, Chat GPT emphasized the importance of mastering new technology and digitalization. I believe that AI was somewhat correct in its answers. On the other hand, I feel that especially in the field of art, we will likely see some completely unexpected new solutions that are free from technologies and digitalization.
What I learned
It was interesting to read the blog posts of other students; they revealed how digitalization affects different fields in various ways. This task taught me that even if I feel I wouldn’t personally benefit from technological advancements, it is good to be aware of what is happening in digitalization.
I have commented on:
Hello Anu,
Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
First of all, I would like to compliment you for choosing to learn more about technology. I agree with you, in the time and age we live, it is necessary to keep up with how things are progressing and changing. I disagree with you, when you say arts and crafts likely won’t be affected by this progress, though. I think there is a lot we can use technology for, even in handicrafts. We already 3D print almost anything, and this could even be applied to textiles – and probably that’s already happening! Considering how far we have come, I think it is entirely possible that we find new ways to use technology in any profession. That said, I applaud your optimism and hope regarding the unlimited possibilities of art. Even in your Chat GPT experience you still found reasons to believe that art is somewhat beyond AI, suggesting perhaps that AI is still rather limited, in comparison to art. What a concept! I love it 😀 !
I also appreciated your point of view regarding GDPR and privacy. You bring up an excellent point: different generations experience GDPR and technology in such different ways. I find it great that you do your best to protect yourself, and others, and that you are aware that this might not be an obvious need for all. I am sure your students are learning a lot from you, even more than the art you teach!
Thank you again for sharing! Stay optimistic and believe in art 🙂 !