AI, Storytelling, & the Soul of Culture

This week’s edition covers stories 
from January 9th to January 15th 2025.
Today’s issue is 1300 words, a 10-minute read.

Good morning readers,

Isabella here, following up after last week’s update. 
The icy weather rumors are true in Minnesota, but, fortunately, I’ve found myself in a place where I only need a light jacket to face the elements. As I explore the vibrant, colorful streets of this Latin American city, I’ve met with community leaders who are deep in discussion about the role of personal narratives and the effects of artificial intelligence on the art of storytelling. In a world that moves faster than ever, storytelling remains the thread that ties us to our roots, carrying with it the lessons, traditions, and struggles of those who came before us.

On a recent afternoon, as we sat together at a coffee shop on a bustling sidewalk in a more affluent part of the city, a new acquaintance shared a story that struck me deeply. He told me how his father had once used AI to retell a family story his mother had written for her grandchildren. The story, a beautiful account of family history, was meant to be passed down with love and care, but in the hands of the AI, it was reduced to the most efficient version of itself. His six-year-old daughter, sitting beside him, was mesmerized by the technology, her eyes wide with wonder as the story unfolded before her. His father, too, was impressed — so satisfied with how the AI had met his expectations. But my acquaintance, looking on, felt a quiet sadness. To him, something irreplaceable had been lost in the process. The AI, in its quest for efficiency, had stripped away the unique cadence of his grandmother’s voice, the subtle inflections that gave the story its soul. My friend, determined to preserve the authenticity of his grandmother’s narrative, felt compelled to intervene. He gently corrected his father’s AI-generated version, emphasizing the importance of sharing the original text, with all its idiosyncrasies and emotional undercurrents. He wanted his daughter to experience the story as his grandmother intended, to connect with the past through the intimate, handwritten words of a beloved mother and grandmother.

This is merely one example of how AI can transform stories. Whether this transformation is perceived as an improvement or a detriment is subjective, influenced by individual factors such as education, comprehension, and personal taste. However, a more fundamental question emerges: how is AI impacting our cognitive skills and reshaping our cultural identities? In the case of the grandmother’s story, the introduction of AI has two significant implications: it displaces traditional storytellers, such as grandfathers and fathers, and by striving for a “perfect” version, it homogenizes narratives. The pursuit of the ultimate rendition inevitably leads to the loss of the story’s original tone, language, and unique personality.

📸 Alain Verspecht

Today, AI permeates numerous aspects of our lives, from correcting grammatical errors to composing entire essays. This ubiquitous presence presents a double-edged sword. Creative professionals express concern as the proliferation of AI-generated art challenges our ability to distinguish between the authentic and the artificial. This phenomenon extends to news reporting, where the rapid dissemination of information often overshadows the vital process of fact-checking. Social media platforms further amplify this trend, encouraging users to rely on AI-powered tools for planning and executing their daily routines. These trends contribute to a decline in cognitive skills as we increasingly rely on AI for tasks that traditionally fostered critical thinking and independent problem-solving. We use AI to read, to write, to research, to paint, and more. While acknowledging the ethical and cultural implications, we must also recognize AI as a potentially valuable co-creator tool, assisting us in areas where we may lack specific expertise.

But how do we reconcile this technological advancement with the pursuit of an authentic, human-centered experience? Can we truly achieve perfection in a domain as inherently fluid and evolving as culture? Perhaps, as Chipotle founder Steve Ells suggests, we can effectively utilize AI to automate routine tasks. However, when dealing with cultural expressions, the concept of “perfection” becomes particularly elusive. Culture, by its very nature, is a dynamic and ever-changing entity, shaped by the diverse experiences and perspectives of its constituents. Does this imply that AI will eventually become a dominant force in shaping our cultural landscape? As one participant at the coffee shop aptly observed, “It won’t be long until we see a label slapped on a food product that will say ‘made with AI,’ much like the GMO or Vegan labels we see today.”

The rapid advancement of AI presents both environmental opportunities and significant challenges. AI infrastructure, such as data centers, demands immense energy consumption – a single ChatGPT request consumes ten times the energy of a Google search – and significant water resources. The environmental impact is further compounded by the generation of hazardous e-waste and the reliance on unsustainable mining practices for rare earth elements. To mitigate these concerns, experts advocate for the development of energy-efficient algorithms, the adoption of green data centers, the implementation of standardized environmental assessments, and the establishment of robust regulations that integrate AI policies with sustainability efforts.

So, how do we navigate the complexities of storytelling in the age of AI? Undoubtedly, AI possesses inherent limitations in its ability to truly comprehend human experiences and emotions. It lacks the emotional intelligence, ethical judgment, and contextual awareness that are essential for genuine storytelling. While AI can generate coherent narratives, it struggles to imbue them with the emotional depth, authenticity, and nuanced creativity that human storytellers bring to life. Therefore, we can strategically utilize these resources as tools to enhance specific aspects of our creative process, filling in the gaps where our own skills may fall short. I encourage you to experiment with this approach. Write a love letter and then challenge ChatGPT to do the same. Can you discern the subtle yet significant differences between the two?


Speaking of love letters, musician Bad Bunny recently released a love letter to Puerto Rico in his latest album, “DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS” (I Should Have Taken More Photos). Drawing inspiration from nostalgia, migration, and the rich tapestry of Puerto Rican musical traditions, the album reflects his deep affection for his homeland after spending time in Los Angeles and New York. As noted by Rolling Stone, Bad Bunny draws inspiration from a folk song sampled from “Mama Borinquen Me Llama,” continuing a long-standing tradition of Puerto Rican artists expressing the bittersweet longing for their homeland. The album masterfully blends traditional rhythms like bomba, plena, and salsa with his signature reggaeton sound, featuring collaborations with a diverse array of emerging Puerto Rican talent. “BAILE INoLVIDABLE,” one of my personal favorites, beautifully captures the magic of unforgettable moments and the enduring power of music to preserve cherished memories in our hearts. This heartfelt and culturally rich project serves as a powerful tribute to Puerto Rican identity and the enduring influence of the island’s musical heritage.

In anticipation of the album’s official release, Bad Bunny unveiled a short film on January 3rd, further fueling anticipation. Written and directed by Bad Bunny and Arí Maniel Cruz Suárez, the film features renowned Puerto Rican filmmaker Jacobo Morales, who navigates the evolving landscape of his city and grapples with the challenges of gentrification. The film poignantly depicts his nostalgia for the Puerto Rican culture of his youth, as he witnesses the subtle yet profound shifts in the community’s identity, evident in the changing soundscapes and linguistic nuances. Morales’ interactions at a local panadería vividly illustrate these evolving dynamics, from the subtle shifts in language to the disappearance of familiar sounds. This introspective visual narrative serves as a powerful complement to the album’s overarching themes of longing and the enduring resilience of the Puerto Rican spirit.


In this rapidly changing world, one thing remains constant: the importance of stories. Whether passed down through generations or created in the moment, narratives shape our identities and help us make sense of the world around us. As we navigate the intersection of tradition and technology, let us remember the power of human connection and the stories that bind us to one another.


Stay informed, stay connected. 

See you next week! 


Isabella and the NewPrensa team


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Hi, Isabella: Isabella here! 
We’re Communications Specialists by day
and tomando cafecito rico by night!
  
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