ThinkStories Africa, a knowledge-sharing, networking, and skills-improvement platform for communicators, hosted its quaterly virtual event dubbed ‘The Storytelling Hangout’ as an opportunity to discuss the role of emotions, cultural narratives and AI in storytelling among communication experts.
The event, which took place on September 27, 2024, brought together communication professionals from across the continent to discuss AI’s role in storytelling.
Notable speakers included award-winning book coach, independent publishing expert and TEDx speaker, Porsche Mysticque Steele; librarian, literary and visual storyteller, Felene Cayetano; and creative writer and editor, Nana Nyarko Boateng.
Sharing her thoughts on AI’s ability to expedite creative tasks, she raised concerns about the accuracy and authenticity of AI-generated content while stressing that speed does not guarantee quality. She noted that,
“AI might be faster, but it’s not always true to a person’s ideology.”
She emphasized the need for storytellers to stay true to their message, urging them to prioritize integrity over speed. While AI can enhance efficiency, she advised writers to critically assess its role in their work.
“Anyone can reach the finish line quickly, but are you doing so with integrity?” she asked.
According to Felene, AI is a tool, not a replacement for the human touch in storytelling.
She also addressed the lingering questions surrounding AI’s impact on traditional knowledge sources like libraries, remarking that AI hasn’t diminished the importance of reading or libraries. Instead, new formats like audiobooks and podcasts have evolved, coexisting with AI innovations.
“AI is not a threat, but we need to be mindful of how we use it and what stories we’re telling,” she concluded.
Creative writer and editor, Nana Nyarko Boateng echoed Cayetano’s concerns, emphasizing the irreplaceable nature of human creativity in storytelling.
“Human creativity shapes stories in ways AI cannot”
She warned against over-reliance on AI, noting that though it may produce coherent plots, the emotional richness of characters and narratives comes from lived experiences and human imagination.
“We can’t trade off the power of human imagination for AI-generated speed,” she stressed,
She urged writers to explore their creative boundaries rather than rely solely on AI.
Award-winning book coach, Porsche Mysticque Steele addressed the growing influence of AI in the writing and publishing sectors; she raised a cautionary point about AI-generated books, which, without the human element, lack emotional depth.
“A story without emotions is dead on arrival,” Steele stated, emphasizing that while AI can be a useful tool for writers, it should be used in tandem with human creativity.
She also spotlighted platforms like Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) on their implementation of AI detectors to flag books written solely by AI, reinforcing the importance of human input in storytelling.
ThinkStories is a knowledge-sharing, networking, and skills-improvement platform for African communicators.
Founded by Samuel Osei, a Storyteller, and Communications professional based in Ghana, West Africa, ThinkStories seeks to foreground the continent’s multiplex narrative by promoting the art of storytelling and broadening the conversation on how to build and influence global brands.
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Story by: Cindy Selasi Humade | univers.ug.edu.gh
