From Creator to Curator: How A.I. Transformed My Approach to Work

By Nathan Waterhouse · 2024-10-15

Do you use AI in your daily workflow? Have you considered how it's changing your habits and skills? Since discovering GPT-3 in early 2023, my approach to work has completely transformed. Reflecting on these changes, I've realised AI has not only made me more efficient but fundamentally altered how I think.

TLDR: This article dives into the brain science behind these shifts.

The Old Creative Process

My traditional workflow was a labour-intensive process—immersing myself in research, drafting ideas, then seeking feedback from colleagues. This meant hours of reading, note-taking, and constant mental shifts between creativity and critique. It was rewarding but exhausting, particularly when juggling deadlines.

Then came AI tools like ChatGPT. In April 2023, I used ChatGPT while working on a complex project for Sandvik—synthesising hundreds of pages of information into actionable themes, all visualised into colourful mindmaps. The mindmaps were effective because they provided a clear, visual representation of key themes, making complex information easier to understand and communicate. That week, I felt like Bradley Cooper in Limitless. It became clear AI wasn't just a productivity booster; it was a game-changer.

Making the Shift from Creator to Curator

Traditionally, creating new things meant wearing multiple hats—creator, critic and editor—which takes a mental toll. Cognitive psychology tells us these roles engage different modes of thinking: divergent (creative) vs. convergent (analytical). So it makes sense that constantly switching between them can increase mental fatigue, impacting the quality of work.

In my process today, instead of starting with a blank page, I began with defining a clear problem and feeding it into ChatGPT for a draft. This shifts my role to that of a curator—evaluating, refining, and guiding the output rather than constructing it from scratch.

Leveraging AI lets me offload laborious what's called "System 2 thinking"—effortful, deliberate analysis—allowing me to focus on higher-level strategic evaluation (System 1), where my expertise truly adds value. System 1 refers to fast, intuitive thinking, while System 2 is slow, deliberate, and analytical. Instead of overloading my cognitive resources, I use them where it counts.

Getting Unstuck with AI

Now, instead of diving deeper into research, I open ChatGPT in voice mode and have a quick conversation. It's like discussing a problem with a colleague—someone always available to help me think through details or validate a direction. A big challenge with this is the weakness of most LLMs to be too easily swayed by the user, sometimes you can too easily make it agree with you that 2+2=5. One approach is to explicitly ask ChatGPT to act as a 'critical friend' and challenge your ideas more rigorously.

The Cognitive Evolution

AI reduces the mental switching between creating and critiquing—resulting in a more consistent cognitive flow. Additionally, it improves focus on strategic decision-making and reduces perfectionism by making iteration easier and more frequent. Neuroscience shows that reducing task switching enhances efficiency, and I've found that partnering with AI has given me clearer focus, improving cognitive flexibility. It's like becoming a creative director—overseeing the project from a bird's-eye view, rather than getting caught in the weeds.

Developing a New Skill Set

So, using AI has changed my process, but how have the skills I'm practising changed?

This evolution moves my role from a hands-on creator to more of a creative director or editorial role, emphasising oversight and refinement over initial generation.

Pitfalls to Watch Out For

There are risks—automation bias is real. The polished output of AI can lead to complacency, tempting you to take things at face value. It's crucial to keep a "human-in-the-loop" approach—active oversight, constant critique, and a strong sense of what "good" really looks like. AI may provide the structure, but understanding nuance and context is what makes the difference between mediocre and impactful work. To do this, we need to always return to first principles: what defines 'good' in our creative work? For example, clarity, relevance to the audience, and originality are some key principles that can help guide our evaluation, but it depends on the task. This means we all need to be continuous students of our given domain.

Broader Implications

This transformation isn't unique to me. Many professionals are likely experiencing these shifts. AI allows us to focus on higher-order thinking—to move from creators to curators. It's crucial to understand how our brains, skills, and roles are evolving—embracing what we gain while being vigilant of what we may lose.

Conclusion: Embracing the Shift

Integrating AI into the creative process is more than adopting a tool—it's embracing a cognitive shift. We live in a rapidly evolving world, and AI is reshaping how we work and think. As we adapt, it's essential to consider what we're gaining, what we risk losing, and to be conscious of what skills we might need to hone to take better advantage of these powerful tools for greater impact.

So, do you use AI in your daily workflow? Understanding these shifts can refine your process—opening doors to greater innovation and creativity. To get started, try integrating AI into one specific area of your workflow, such as brainstorming or drafting, and reflect on how it changes your process over the course of a few days or a week. Notice what works well and what doesn't, and use that insight to refine how you interact with AI. Setting up a feedback loop, where you regularly adjust prompts based on the quality of the output, can also be valuable.

P.S. Yes, I used ChatGPT to help research this article—but I wrote it myself. It's important to keep your voice intact.

Further Reading Guide

If you're interested in diving deeper into the concepts discussed in this article, here are some key resources for further reading: