AI & The Artist: Friend, Foe, or Funky New Frontier?

Host: James Price

Hey hey, you groovy legends — welcome back to The Groovy Creative, where we fuel creativity, one conversation at a time. I’m your host, James Price — photographer, podstronaut, , full-time curiosity chaser, and your very own creativity coach. And today… ooooh boy, we’re diving into something big. Something buzzy. Something that’s got artists, designers, and creatives all over the world doing double takes and nervous deep breaths.

Yep, today, we’re talking about Artificial Intelligence.

AI. The robot in the room. The digital genie. The algorithm whisperer that’s shaking up how we make, share, and think about creativity.

“Now before you roll your eyes or whisper, ‘oh no, another AI evangelist,’ hold that thought. Because here’s the deal — I’m not here to tell you to throw away your paintbrush, your camera, your clay, or your journal. I’m here to ask: What happens when we invite AI into our creative practice with curiosity instead of fear? What if it’s not the end of creativity, but the next evolution of it?”

Over the past few months, I’ve been deep in the digital jungle, testing tools like ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, and Google Gemini. And let me tell you — it’s not just tech-speak and buzzwords. It’s a whole new palette of creative possibility.

Imagine a writing buddy who never sleeps, a brainstorm partner who brings ideas at 2 a.m., or an assistant who helps you storyboard your next big project, faster than you can say ‘groovy’.

Now don’t worry, I haven’t traded in my camera for a motherboard. I still believe the magic of creativity lives in the mess, the soul, and the very human why. But here’s the truth bomb: AI isn’t coming. It’s already here.

And those of us who learn to dance with it, instead of fighting it, are gonna be the ones leading the creative revolution.

This isn’t about replacing your creativity. This is about augmenting it. This is about staying curious, staying groovy, and learning how to use these new tools to serve your vision, not silence it. Whether you’re a painter, podcaster, poet, or potter, AI can be part of your toolkit, if you choose to let it.

So over the next few weeks here on The Groovy Creative, we’re kicking off a brand new mini-series all about AI and creativity.

We’ll explore:

> How AI can help you generate ideas (and beat creative block)

> Whether AI art is actually art (yeah, we’re going there)

> The ethics of using AI, from ownership to originality

> And how to use these tools without losing your voice or values”

And hey… I might even bring in my new cheeky co-host: GroovyBot, my AI sidekick with too many opinions and not enough caffeine. Stay tuned for some bonus episodes where we’ll riff together on the weird and wonderful world of creative technology.

But for now, I wanna leave you with a question:

What scares you about AI — and what excites you?

Shoot me a message on Instagram @thegroovycreative or drop me a line on thegroovycreative.com. Let’s keep this conversation soulful, smart, and oh-so-human.

Creativity’s been evolving since the first cave paintings. This? This is just the next chapter. Let’s write it together, with heart, with intention, and a whole lotta groove.

You’ve been listening to The Groovy Creative. I’m James Price, and always remember... Be Creative! Be You! Be Groovy!

We’ve been tuning in to your feedback, and some creatives I work with and talk to have been asking Artificial Intelligence in the creative world.

I’m thrilled to announce that we’re diving into the fascinating intersection of AI and creativity. Starting next week, we’ll launch a special series exploring how AI is reshaping the creative landscape, from art and music, to entrepreneurship and beyond.

For today, consider this your teaser. We’re taking a brief pause to gear up for this exciting journey. So, no full episode this week, but trust me, what’s coming is worth the wait.

And as always... Be creative, be you, and be groovy!

It’s where courageous creators like you come to feel seen, stirred, and maybe even spiritually high-fived. Because let’s face it, creativity isn’t all sunshine and glitter bombs. Sometimes, it’s messy. Sometimes, it’s terrifying. And sometimes… it requires you to walk straight into the unknown, armed with nothing but a shaky idea and a stubborn heartbeat. But that’s why we’re here. To remind each other that creativity requires courage. Every bold stroke, every unfinished thought you dare to share, every weird little idea you bring into the light, that’s bravery. That’s the heartbeat of what we do. So grab your favourite beverage, light that scented candle if you’re feeling fancy, and let’s get into today’s episode.

Now, if you’ve been riding this alphabet rollercoaster with me, you know we’ve already broken a few rules together. B was for Breaking Boundaries, and oh, did we smash a few mental walls with that one. But today? We pivot from rebel to raw. From defiant to deep. ... ... The kind of low-key heroic stuff that doesn’t always get applause but deserves a standing ovation. Because creating? Real creating? It’s not just putting paint on canvas or notes on a page. It’s standing in front of the world naked, metaphorically speaking, and saying “This is what I see. This is what I feel. This is what I made.” And oooh, doesn’t that just make your armpits tingle a little?

Let me tell you a story. A few years back, I had a set of photographs, deeply personal, moody, sort of haunted in the way that real honesty can be. I’d taken them during a really raw chapter of my life. And I knew—knew—they were powerful. But man, I was terrified to share them. You know that feeling? That moment when your finger hovers over the “publish” button, your brain spirals into overdrive, and suddenly you’re convinced that the entire internet is going to collectively point and laugh? Yeah. That. I’d been invited to include them in a local exhibition, and everything inside me screamed, “Nope. Don’t do it. Too vulnerable. Too exposed. Too… you.” But then this little voice—somewhere in the back of my brain, wearing bell-bottoms and probably smoking something herbal—whispered, “But what if someone needs to see this? What if your truth unlocks someone else’s?” And that stopped me. Because that’s what creating with courage really is: it’s generosity disguised as vulnerability.

It’s saying, “Here. This is a piece of me. And maybe, just maybe, it will help you feel less alone.” So I said yes. I submitted the photographs. And when the exhibit opened, I stood awkwardly in a corner, pretending to sip champagne while silently panicking. But then something amazing happened. People came up to me. Total strangers. And they told me how those photos made them feel seen. One woman even said, “It’s like you took a picture of a part of me I’ve never been able to describe.” That, that connection? That was worth every second of fear. Because here’s the truth, darling: when you create from a place of honesty, people feel it. They don’t just see the product, they see the person. And that is where the magic happens. It’s not about perfection. It’s not about polish. It’s about presence. About putting your whole messy, marvelous self into your work. So whether you’re sketching, singing, podcasting, pottery-making, or penning poetry on your lunch break, don’t wait for it to feel safe. It probably won’t. That’s okay. Do it anyway. Do it scared. Because on the other side of that fear? There’s freedom. There’s connection. There’s someone saying, “Thank you for making this. I needed it.”

... ... You showed up. You listened. You opened your heart just a little wider, and that’s a victory. The truth is, every single courageous act, no matter how small it feels, plants a seed. And from that seed? Grows confidence, creativity, and maybe even a few wildflowers of self-belief. So keep planting.

... .... And as always, be creative, be you, and be groovy!