In several topics over the last month or two the topic of AI has been brought up. Due to its growing popularity (and perhaps misuse) several of us thought there should be a post/thread about this, so here we go...

Now, let me start by saying I posted it here in TB as it can be a tool for business operations and even performance. With that said, the posts we'll likely get here will be two-pronged - 1. Those that have and are currently using and experiencing AI, and 2. Those that have/will not, that will offer their thoughts and beliefs on the topic.

AI has been controversial since the beginning, so I can see that carrying over here as well. Everyone will likely have feelings on this, but I would also like to hear from those that have used this in their business or performance, or in other aspects as well.

This thread I'm sure will be educational and informative, as well as including personal and professional thoughts on the topic, whether liked or not, whether it as a tool is invited or not.

So, please share your experiences and thoughts on AI.

Myself, I do not care for how most performers and entertainment business owners are using it. They are using it as a crutch, as a way to do the work they, as creative performers and entertainment business professionals should be doing themselves. It is and can be a tool when used in the right or best way, but can be a crutch and invasive tool for those not really understanding its best use and application in what we do.

I will give you an example from someone who hired me to consult them recently.

Everything from his application for my consulting services to the topics and areas to discuss that he needed assistance with, was all put through and done by AI. I personally can often spot much of this a mile away, as I am used to how others complete the application. Upon a closer look, everything from his promotional materials, website, and even his sales pitch/presentation was done 100% by AI. It created an image and perception that he couldn't possibly live up to. This was evident the minute we got on a call and he opened his mouth. It led me and others to think and believe one thing, when in reality he and it was something completely different. It oversold him completely. It spoke beyond his ability.

This is just one quick example, as there are many more I see each day.

Next, another issue is AI may be good as an initial gathering of info and insight (although remember the source, as it combs the internet, which contains MUCH misinformation, incorrect information, and untrue junk others have made up (such as on their websites). Personally I have found AI to give wrong and incorrect answers. I have recently been hearing it say "I am sorry, but I am currently unable to access that information." Its like Siri, she used to be good at directly answering questions and providing information requested - "Siri, what time and channel to the Kansas City Chiefs play today in Las Vegas?" You used to get the direct answer. Now it simply refers you to two or three website links where you can (yourself) find the answer. I could do that much without Siri.

Then many, as we see here, once they receive the AI info, they do not read it or take the time or make the effort to adapt it to themselves, their objectives, their personality, positioning, and many other crucial factors.

Then we get to those that are either just lazy or want to use AI to sound smarter than they are to articulate better than they can. Or to use AI to offer much more insight than they can create or as seen here guys using AI to create and make their posts in threads here in the forums. Really? This is a poor use of AI as it replaces your own original thoughts. Again, this hasn't really occurred for those posting from their position of knowledge, experience, and real-world execution, as AI can't possibly replace their real-world knowledge an experience.

In reality, AI can only do so much. It is, at best, a tool that can be utilized to enhance what you already know or have. But even then it is blatantly obvious when AI is used, as it is simply missing the human connection, communication abilities, and personality of a real person.

I'll stop there for now as I know others have their own thoughts and experiences which I think we are all looking forward to. Some will defend it til the ends of the earth, others will want nothing to do with it and will feel it will bring down civilization as we know it. Most will probably fall somewhere in between.

So, let's get your take on AI?

Okay, Mindpro, you started this, so here goes...

I've done a fair amount of reading on AI: how it works, what it's used for, and pros and cons about its effect on humanity. Based on that, here are my thoughts.

AI isn't just one "thing:" it's a technology that can be applied to lots of different areas including science, medicine, engineering, and others. It works by scouring material that's already out there and combining it to "create" something "original." Oversimplifying it, I think it works like an encyclopedia article: you ask for a topic, and it goes around to find related material and then comes up with its own summary in some form, whether it be a report, a formula, or an algorithm. For instance, looking at Wikipedia, you ask for info on, say, George Patton, and you get this whole article and then pages and pages of citations, sometimes hundreds of them. Similarly, a lot of history books have pages and pages of bibliographies. All this research used to be done by humans, but AI can cut down on the time required.

From what I've read, AI has made some real breakthroughs in medicine and other fields, which is great. But my biggest problem with it is using it for creative fields like screen writing, architecture, and, in my case, theatrical design. A few weeks ago I received an email from a recruiter who was looking for set designers to train AI to design sets. There was a long list of topics to be covered, all the way from script analysis to construction drawings, but the one thing that was blatantly missing was a hugely important one, the director's vision for the production: how he or she envisioned the production in terms of themes, relevancy to the audience, relevancy to today, conflicts, interpersonal dynamics, story arc, character development. and so forth -- all the stuff that makes theatre theatre. What I saw in that list of topics would have resulted in the creation of a bunch of scenery instead of a physical environment in which the characters would show us their story.

What I wanted to write back to that recruiter would have probably burnt out their server, but I just bit my tongue and ignored it.

I could go on and on and on, but I'll stop here and see what others say. I often think of Data (from Star Trek TNG) when I think of AI: a highly intelligent, likable, relatable machine that wanted to be human but didn't have the mechanism (or the programming) for it.

Thanks George. Some great insight for sure.

I'm seeing it be innovating, intimidating, and scary for many at the same time. Yes, there are pros and cons that must seriously be weighed out in both our use of AI and our thoughts on it.

I love the speed at which it works and operates. This can be helpful in research, combing, putting some initial ideas together, and possible applications. Its speed at which it can work is impressive. However, the accuracy is another thing. I, in my own limited experience with it, have found many problems with it being accurate. Of course, it is only combing the internet which has been terrible with updating and removing old, outdated, and incorrect content. So this is still what it is combing from which is of great concern. We hear much about the next upcoming version of the internet, and I think that will play a big role into the future of AI as well.

With this known and understood (facts) AI can be a useful tool for research with the understanding that the content and sources it draws from are not always entirely accurate. This is where you, the operator, and the human factor still must come in. Can you take everything it outputs at face value? Can you just accept it as factual because it provides you a very complete and well-structured response? No. Not at all. This is where many fall short.

As when Google first came out, the first thing many did was Google themselves. Their own name or business. I have done this with AI, ChatGPT and others, and immediately I found quite a few inaccuracies and incorrect info, just from a very elementary and basic use. This led me to go deeper and this continued even more so.

I tried using it for design purposes and it was a very frustrating process. While it started out in a great and exciting direction, as I was attempting to tweak and fine tune it, it seemed to take on a mind of its own, trying to change or even "outdo" what I was inputting it to do. Very frustrating. Perhaps it was my own prompts, but I reviewed them and it simply did not follow all of the prompts given, It was like it was trying to "think" and improve my thoughts and instructions on its own. I was not impressed.

I think we have even seen this (accuracy) here in TB with those that use AI for their posts. So one must know and proceed with this mind.

As far as the effect it has on humanity, this is a great concern. It has already dehumanized a lot from the use and application I see people using. It has become a crutch for many who perhaps try to "overuse" it for many things as it (people's use and application) seems to replace individual thinking, has no personality or real emotion. We have already seen it replace individuals in the work place. There seems to be a race for people to find new uses and applications for it, often trying to make it work where it shouldn't due to the personality and humanistic elements.

The other thing is, even as a tool, it is only as good as the person using it. They become the engineer of their efforts. It has become both an art and science of how to create the prompts from which AI operates. Using Google or Siri as examples, you can simply ask it a direct question to get a response. It is much more intricate with AI (even though Google and Siri are, let's say, entry-level AI). Most casual users have not mastered the best way to give AI prompts for the best results they are seeking. So even AI is really only as good as its programmer (you).

Factuality, thoroughness, and accuracy are the greatest concerns.

Like all technology, it can be good and bad depending on how it is used and who is using it. This is of great concern.

I too have been reading about the breakthroughs in medicine which can be very exciting. I have always believed that things such as cures for cancer, diabetes, alzheimers, and such will likely come from such research and breakthroughs which I am sure AI will be a part of. If used and prompted properly, the speed of such efforts could be amazing. When used right, for the right purposes, from those with the best use, understanding, and application of it on a professional basis.

The creative minds finding a way to utilize it will create some great applications and opportunities with it. I have been experimenting using it as a tool in aspects of entertainment business operations through my agencies, production company, and coaching and consulting businesses. I have not used it much in my performing as, so far, any attempt to try to experiment with it has left me with disappointing results due to the human and personality factors missing. I by no means am a great AI applicator. As. a matter of fact even though I have tried to embrace it in at least some capacities, I find myself more opposed to and in some cases even resisting its use and potential. I'm sure it will grow as I grow and learn more.

Rather than it being a use for and from information that currently exists and is out there (correct info or not), it is the steps beyond this are I am interested in seeing, such as the intelligence part. Can it create information on its own that doesn't currently exist? Doesn't rely on the info currently out there? What will the future of AI be?

I hope others chime in as well.

You've got me thinking now, Mindpro, and that's always dangerous.

I've had some suspicions (aka opinions) about AI over the past few months but never bothered to check into them. So, over the next few days, I'm going to try a couple of experiments and see what happens. I'll keep you all posted.

And BTW, re: your comment:


This really hit home with me. Design is about solving problems, and if the "designer" can't understand what the problem really is, the "designer" will go off on all different ways. We see this with architects and engineers all the time (and even with misguided theatrical designers): many of them focus totally on the end product as an end in itself, and not as a solution to a specific problem. The idea of solving a human problem is lost somewhere in the equation.

OTOH, I can see AI being used to "create" studio art, which is a means of self-expression. But whether the resulting "art" bears any inkling of human emotion is a whole different question.

Yes, George, I am very interested in your experiments and findings. This could be interesting.

I'm also hoping to hear from others here that are currently using or have tried using AI to hear of their experiences and how they may be using it in their business and operations, or perhaps even their performing.

On a couple of occasions I have done ChatGPT prompts that begin 'I'm a local kids and family magician, please suggest one improvement for this website.'

One ChatGPT reply was that none of the pages on my website had a copyright notice and suggested adding same. Easy enough. ChatGPT even offered examples of standard formats so I cut and pasted one and added it the each page. Took maybe 30-ish minutes total. When 2025 clocked over to 2026 I updated to reflect that. Will do same to begin 2027.

Another time the reply was my website lacked a Birthday FAQ page so I created one. Although much of the info is covered elsewhere it thought a concentrated page would be a good idea.

Last November I booked my first ChatGPT gig. The dad said he didn't use Google search, just ChatGPT. So I asked ChatGPT if there was a way to format reviews to assist it with such searches in future. ChatGPT said not specifically but suggested this format would assist all LLMs and Google searches:

[Testimonial]
"I hosted a Christmas party this past weekend at Magnolia Hall and Owen was hired to do a show for the children attending! Everyone had a blast! Highly recommended!"
[/Testimonial]
--Google review by event organizer Mayssa A.
Christmas party magic show. December 2025

With [Testimonial] & [/Testimonial] both being in bold which I can't show here.

Doing this with reviews peppered throughout website would look odd so I made up a separate page. When I get a new review I add it the regular 'quote' way elsewhere and in this slightly odd format for the web search bots to (hopefully!) find useful.

I have never used AI intentionally. If it is stuck in in me then so be it.

I simply won’t use it ever for creative purposes.

I tell you what though. It doesn’t take much to spot it being used right now.

To me, Ai is a great tool but it's not 100% accurate. It only knows what it reads and in some cases it's completely false.

One thing I do wonder is copyright protection. If AI is taking your information, even if it lists you as the source, how can you have that removed from AI?

It's an interesting thought.

Thanks,

Gerry

Gerry,

AI doesn’t work the way many think it does.

If your content is online, you can Block AI crawlers using robots.txt

Getting it removed is a good question, but you may get your best answer directly from AI.

I think if you go to ChatGPT and ask for help you will get some useful information.

I suggest you ask this: "Someone asked me this and I do wonder is copyright protection. If AI is taking your information, even if it lists you as the source, how can you have that removed from AI?"

Good Luck,

Tom

Sorry for the double post but Gerry this might be a little more help.

From what I understand, AI doesn’t really store your work like a database where your exact article or post is sitting there waiting to be pulled out or deleted. It learns patterns more than it keeps copies. So in most cases, your actual content isn’t something you can just “remove” after the fact.

That said, copyright still applies. If something you created is being reproduced word-for-word or used in a way that competes with you, then you can go the usual route with takedown requests, just like anywhere else online.

Going forward, there are some controls—like blocking AI crawlers or opting out of future training—but those don’t really undo what’s already been learned.

The bigger picture (at least the way I see it) is that anything we put online has always been getting indexed, shared, and reused in different ways. AI just made that more obvious.

So instead of only worrying about how to remove it, I think the smarter move is making sure your ideas are clearly tied to you, your name, your voice, your positioning, so if they spread, they still point back to the source.

Like I said, go to AI for help.

Tom

I posted it here for several key reasons...First, I didn't want general opinions or participation or I would have posted it in Food For Thoughts, secondly, I wanted to see how performers or entertainment business owners were using it or their experiences using it,

Opinions can never stand up to facts, knowledge and actual real-world experience.

It Albert Einstein that said "The only source of knowledge is experience."

An interesting use of AI. Not a thing wrong with it so my question is only a question.

Do you worry that if enough people start to use AI like this that the content on your web page will be incredibly similar to people asking the same question and getting exactly the same advice? I mean isn't that the road we end up on eventually?

Heck the "art" of magic is already waaayyyy too far down that road for my taste anyhow. But isn't that how things end up being samey (If that is even a word, if not I made it up. Wanna fight about it?) and that does nothing to set you apart and make you look unique to a customer.

Again I am not saying a single thing about your web page or your anything. I am asking a general question spawned by the statement and nothing more.

On my other point I tell you I can spot an AI generated pretty much anything from across a room. It is EASIER if you know the usual voice a person writes with. When I get AI generated pretty much anything from people I sort of ignore it I am sorry to say. I guess I am taking a personal/artistic stand against the whole idea.

By the way when they finally name this thing SKYNET I think we are in trouble.

I just started using Claude and so far I'm very impressed - so if anyone is interested in using AI... try Claude! It's much better than ChatGPT in my limited experience so far.

Could you PM me the difference? Seriously I have NO clue.

Nor do I. I think other's here may be interested too. I have some of my students preferring Claude to ChatGPT, and Gemini too.

Ok I was just trying to stay on topic.

But if everyone is curious cool.

>>>Do you worry that if enough people start to use AI like this that the content on your web page will be incredibly similar to people asking the same question and getting exactly the same advice? I mean isn't that the road we end up on eventually?<<<

In my case I just took the general suggestion to add an FAQ page. Didn't ask for ChatGPT to write a draft or review/edit my finished page so it's in my voice.

Your concern is valid though. Apparently many students, for example, are turning in quite similarly worded term papers or submitting near identical resumes written by ChatGPT, Claude or another LLM.

Homogeneous magic scripts or web pages are not that far off I imagine. On the other hand you can ask the LLM to write them in the voice of Groucho Marx or Bad Bunny which could be an interesting starting point for your own creativity.

Magic ALREADY suffers from homogenous scripts throughout the history of magic. I can't imagine if it is made so easy with AI what will happen.

It was bad enough when magicians bought those stupid courses on how to get work, put together by guys who couldn't get work. Back when we were doing our guest entertainer program we got hundreds of videos and promo packages. My wife and I used to have a competition to see how quickly we could figure out which idiotic "guru" they followed.

I can't COUNT the number of times I had to read "A very unique blend of magic and comedy". Ugh. Forget that the word unique is absolute and not subject to gradation, it was seen SO much it was a joke. Often more than following the same guru when the internet came out it was little more than just copying. Monkey see, monkey do type of thing.

I sort of see AI, even in its infancy, as just an extreme form of this.

I bet I am in the same boat as George on this next part. Forgive the flight off topic. I for one do not like impersonator shows. I simply believe they are artistically bankrupt. To simply slavishly recreate every single move, song and whatever that whoever did back whenever is not art to me. It is copying. Few can break out of it and do. Heck The Million Dollar Quartet is nothing but an impersonator show. However it has a loose story being told. (Albeit a totally made up fictional nonsense story, it still is a story.) It does break out of the mold and becomes something unique.

My worry with AI, certainly in magic and the business side of it, will be that before long everything is interchangeable. It already is too much as we see it so I do not really think it will be helpful.

Lastly, just to be old as can be, what exactly is LLM?

LLM stands for "large language model." This is what much of generative AI is. Imagine your phone's predictive text, but with a huge repository of plagiarized datasets to predict and answer with.

"Forgive the flight off topic. I for one do not like impersonator shows. I simply believe they are artistically bankrupt."

I agree 100% but unfortunately audiences like them and presenters see them as a safe bet.


To answer your question about Claude - I like how it interacts with me. It seems like a custom built software that adapts to me, vs. ChatGPT and Gemini which just spit out lots of text in the same format. GPT and Gemini are still useful of course, although GPT seems to be getting worse and worse in the accuracy department - which is the #1 reason I wanted to try out Claude.