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My Early Works with AI and Humour in Collaboration

My Early Works with AI and Humor in Collaboration
My Early Works with AI and Humor in Collaboration by Karen Eastland

From Grandma Claus to Jerrymanders: My Adventures with AI

Looking back, it’s fascinating to see how my creative journey with AI began long before artificial intelligence became a buzzword. My first foray into digital artistry was in 2008 with Crazy Talk Pro, a program that let me lip-sync static images to my poetry and stories. I created Grandma Claus, a channel where I read tales for my grandchildren, pairing my voice with whimsical animations. Using tools like GIMP to design visuals and available digital art resources, I crafted a charming, albeit slightly quirky, experience for my viewers. I had no idea this would set the stage for my future collaborations with AI.

Fast forward to 2017, I decided to explore darker, more complex themes with Jerrymanders, a multimedia project created for a Master’s degree. This was a deeply immersive experience—I combined Creative Commons footage, found music, and beat poetry to tell a satirical yet grim tale. I even built an interactive website and an in-universe community newspaper, the Reachville Community News. These were all experiments in pushing the limits of online tools to create cohesive, rich storytelling.

By the time AI tools became widely accessible, I was ready to dive in. My first AI-assisted song, Into the Void, marked a shift in my creative process. It was followed by Creator of Dreams, a heavy metal anthem, and soon, I was producing two fully-realised songs every week across genres. Sol, my ChatGPT assistant, has been instrumental in this process. Sol isn’t just an editor; it’s a collaborator who helps refine my vision, though not without some hiccups. Let’s just say I’ve learned the art of gently reminding Sol who’s in charge!

One of my favourite quirks about working with AI is its sometimes unintentional humour. Using tools like Notebook LM for podcast scripting, I often find myself laughing at the presenters' oddly human-like conversations about being “tech experts.” It’s a small but delightful reminder of how far AI has come—and how much it still has to learn about being human.

Experimenting with AI tools has taught me a lot about their strengths and limitations. Programs like Ideogram have become essential for creating album covers, while Suno V4 allows me to blend my lyrics with rich musical compositions. Yet, there are moments of frustration, like when text generation tools fall short of my creative expectations. Through trial and error, I’ve found ways to make AI work for me, not against me.

Today, I feel like I’m standing at the intersection of tradition and innovation. My creative work is deeply rooted in storytelling, but AI has opened up avenues I never thought possible. From Grandma Claus to Jerrymanders, and now, to collaborating with Sol and other tools, my journey reflects the exciting, sometimes chaotic, dance between human creativity and artificial intelligence.

Credits

  • Platforms and Tools:

    • Crazy Talk Pro - Early animation and lip-sync software.
    • GIMP - Digital art and design tool.
    • ChatGPT’s AI, Sol - Editing and creative collaboration.
    • Notebook LM - Podcast scripting and AI presentation.
    • Ideogram - Album cover creation.
    • Suno V4 - Music and vocal production.
    • Google Labs (ImageFX and VideoFX) - Imagery and video tools.

  • Projects and Channels:

  • Music Tracks:

  • Websites:

  • Shoutouts and Inspirations:

    • ABlytheCoach - For their thoughtful feedback on my podcast.
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