During the 70th International Festival of Creativity, Google took center stage with a keynote presentation on the topic of artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact on creativity. James Manyika, Senior Vice President for Research, Technology & Society at Google, addressed the audience and shared his insights on the subject. Here are some edited excerpts from his remarks.

Throughout history, human beings have consistently pushed the boundaries of what is possible, driven by curiosity, creativity, and necessity. Every era of discovery and innovation begins with someone imagining new possibilities. This principle also applies to art. The status quo rarely captures our imaginations; instead, we are inspired by those who dare to try something new, whether it’s experimenting with different mediums, techniques, subjects, or something entirely novel. Technology often acts as a muse, unlocking untapped sources of creativity.

A compelling parallel to the present moment can be drawn from the history of photography. When photography first emerged, many feared it would signal the end of traditional art forms like landscape painting and portraiture. However, the opposite turned out to be true. Freed from the constraints of accurately reproducing reality, painters embarked on new artistic journeys, giving rise to movements such as impressionism and modernism. Simultaneously, photography itself became an art form, intertwining with and powered by technology.

At Google, we recognize the immense potential of AI to connect people, boost productivity, and unleash our creative imagination. We are excited about how AI can collaborate with human creativity, not to replace it, but to enhance, enable, and liberate it.

To demonstrate this, Robert Wong, Vice President of Google Creative Lab, shared examples during his presentation of how he and his team have utilized AI tools developed by Google Research:

• They piloted an experimental AI-Reply tool (using PaLM 2 and MakerSuite) to generate draft replies to user comments on YouTube for a social campaign called Best Phones Forever. A human community manager then evaluates, selects, and edits the best options, all of which are crafted in the friendly voice of the campaign.
• They employed StyleDrop to generate creative and distinctive logos and icons that align stylistically with the Google Android brand.
• They utilized DreamBooth to train a model on individual images, generating endless personalized selfies.

The demonstrations made it clear that the most successful outcomes arise not from AI alone but from its collaboration with individuals who possess curiosity, creativity, and compassion. The most vital ingredient in this equation is not AI itself but the humans behind it.

While celebrating the present possibilities, it is equally important to adopt a responsible approach to AI. Building AI responsibly requires a collective effort involving researchers, social scientists, industry experts, governments, and everyday people. Additionally, we must acknowledge that AI is still an emerging technology, and as it continues to develop, new challenges will arise that demand innovative solutions.

As Robert Wong emphasized, creative individuals thrive in times of change. They are often the first to embrace new opportunities, reinvent established norms, push boundaries, and expand possibilities for everyone. To those who are curious but cautious, his advice is simple: Just get started. Engage with AI and explore the new tools available. What possibilities do you see? What can you imagine?

This is an exciting time, offering immense opportunities for achievement. However, it is crucial that we approach this technology with a sense of responsibility and work together to ensure we get it right.

During the keynote, Robert Wong also announced the launch of a new social campaign called Best Phones Forever, which utilizes the AI-Reply tool to generate friendly responses to user comments on YouTube. The campaign aims to foster a sense of camaraderie between two rival phones, iPhone and Pixel. The social response team, powered by the AI-Reply tool, will provide prompt and personalized replies to the anticipated influx of comments. The campaign is scheduled to launch on Wednesday at 6:00 PM CEST.

James Manyika, the keynote speaker, is the Senior Vice President for Research, Technology & Society at Google. He leads efforts across Google and Alphabet to shape and advance innovative technologies in a responsible manner for the benefit of people and society. Manyika oversees Google Research, which explores challenges and breakthroughs in computer science, including AI, machine learning, algorithms, quantum computing, and responsible AI. He holds various esteemed positions, including Chair and Director Emeritus of McKinsey Global Institute, Vice Chair of the National AI Advisory Committee, and Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Robert Wong, the Vice President of Google Creative Lab, has a diverse background, having been born Chinese, grown up Dutch, held Canadian citizenship, and currently residing in the United States. With a background in graphic design, Wong has made a name for himself as the design chief of Starbucks and the co-founder of Google Creative Lab. He has received numerous accolades for his work, including being recognized as a Master of Design by Fast Company and one of the 50 Most Influential Designers in America. Wong’s creative contributions have been showcased in exhibitions worldwide, including the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum and the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA).

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