The Missing Link: Why We Need AI to Be Our Creative Co-Pilot, Not Just a Tool
I’ve always been drawn to the intoxicating feeling of creative flow. Those moments when ideas spark, cascade, and coalesce into something tangible, something beautiful. It’s a feeling akin to what Joseph Campbell described as the “Hero’s Journey” — a journey of self-discovery and creation fueled by a primal drive to bring something new into the world and Generative AI is my Obi Wan Kanobi and Yoda..
But lately, that creative flow has become a frustratingly fragmented experience. I’m constantly juggling different tools, each with its own quirks and limitations, struggling to bridge the gap between my own creative vision and the digital landscape. It’s like trying to build a masterpiece with mismatched building blocks, each with its own shape and texture, constantly requiring adjustments and compromises.
The current AI landscape feels like a disjointed collection of individual tools rather than a unified creative ecosystem. I might start with a prompt in an LLM, then switch to Python to fine-tune the output, then jump to Adobe, Midjourney or some other stable diffusion model for visualization, then back to Google Docs for writing, all while navigating the ever-present hurdles of data privacy and integration.
This fractured experience is not just a personal frustration; it’s a fundamental challenge facing the creative world today. We are surrounded by incredible tools, but we lack the connective tissue to weave them into a seamless creative fabric. We are trapped in a world where AI feels like a separate entity, a digital assistant rather than a true co-creator.
This disconnect between human and machine is not only limiting our creativity but also hindering our potential for true innovation. We need a paradigm shift — a move beyond the transactional relationship with AI and towards a world where we co-create in a state of genuine symbiosis.
This is where the concept of “co-intelligence” comes into play. As Ethan Mollick eloquently argues, the future of creativity lies not in simply automating tasks but in forging a partnership between human and AI, a partnership that leverages the strengths of both.
Imagine a world where AI seamlessly integrates with our creative processes, not as a separate entity, but as an extension of ourselves. Imagine a single, unified space where ideas flow effortlessly, where human ingenuity and machine intelligence harmonize, where the digital landscape becomes an extension of our creative minds, not a barrier to them.
This is the vision behind Splat, a platform I’m building to bridge the gap between fragmented tools and a cohesive creative experience. Splat will allow you to work with AI not as a series of independent agents but as a unified, co-creative force, one that learns your individual style and adapts to your unique workflow.
Splat is more than just a tool; it’s a bridge between the digital and the human, a platform that fosters a deeper, more intuitive relationship with AI. It’s a space where creativity can flow freely, unburdened by the limitations of individual tools and the constant need for translation and integration.
And Splat is not just a dream, but a vision that I believe is achievable. I’ve spent countless hours researching and exploring the potential of AI, and I’m confident that the technology is already in place to create a platform that truly empowers co-creation. Google has already built it — they call it Google Gemini + Google Cloud + Google Workspace + Google Home + Google Pixel Devices but I do think they could use some help on the name.
The journey to building Splat will be an exciting one, and I’m committed to sharing my progress with the world. I’ll be posting updates, sharing insights, and engaging in discussions on social media. I want to create a dialogue, a space where we can collectively explore the potential of AI as a tool for creative empowerment.
Together, we can shape the future of creativity, a future where AI is not just a tool but a partner, a co-pilot in our quest to push the boundaries of innovation and expression.
This is the vision that drives me, the vision that fuels my passion for building Splat. And I invite you to join me on this journey.
PS: Why I Call It Splat?
Circa 2000, while working at Microsoft, I found myself entangled in what felt like a century-long debate about what to name something. After what seemed like endless discussions, I took a solemn vow to never again engage in a conversation about naming something with a team of developers. It’s not that I don’t care — being a Product Manager now, names do matter — but I just can’t endure the pain of those naming marathons! Also, I learned about the “Pink Fuzzy Bunny” story regarding Brian Valentine, someone very significant in Microsoft lore.
So, why did I name my platform Splat? Well, people call me Gooey because my last name is a bit of a tongue-twister. Given this nickname, I decided my Generative AI other half deserved an equally fun and easy name. Thus, Splat was born! It’s simple, memorable, and perfectly complements Gooey. Plus, it’s a lot more enjoyable than another epic naming saga!
