Technology Doesn’t Make Us Artists—We Do

In a world of rapidly evolving tools and possibilities, it’s easy to believe that technology can do it all. With AI composing songs, generating artwork, and writing stories, some might ask: Are we losing our creativity? But the truth is far more nuanced. Technology doesn’t make us artists. It’s just a tool—like a paintbrush or a piano. The real power lies in how we use it, control it, and curate the results.

In the same way the electric guitar didn’t replace guitarists or digital cameras didn’t replace photographers, AI and other tools won’t replace artists—unless we stop bringing our own creativity and perspective to the process.


Art Is Always a Dialogue

At its core, art is more than just output. It’s a dialogue between the artist and the audience. Every piece of music, painting, or film tells a story that invites the audience to respond emotionally or intellectually. Without this connection, art becomes meaningless noise, no matter how technically impressive it might be.

When an artist creates, they make countless decisions—what to include, what to leave out, how to frame a story, and how to make it resonate with others. These choices are the essence of creativity, and they cannot be automated. Even if AI helps generate ideas or drafts, it’s still the artist who gives the work its meaning, its voice, and its heart.


Technology as a Creative Partner, Not a Creator

Think of technology as a collaborator—a tool to push the boundaries of what’s possible. Here are some ways to look at it:

  • AI in Music: AI can help compose melodies or suggest harmonies, but it’s the musician who decides what stays, what goes, and how it fits the larger composition.
  • Digital Art Tools: Generative art tools can produce stunning visual concepts, but it’s the artist’s curation, editing, and context that turn them into meaningful works.
  • Writing Assistants: AI can suggest text, but it cannot understand nuance, tone, or emotional depth. Only the writer can craft a story that truly connects.

Creativity Is a Human Connection

If we look back at history, every artistic tool—from the camera to the synthesizer—once caused controversy. People feared they would destroy art as we knew it. But instead, they became part of the creative process, expanding what was possible. The same will happen with AI and other technologies.

The role of the artist will always be to control, curate, and give context to the results. It’s our decisions, our stories, and our visions that will make the difference. Without that, even the most advanced technology will produce something hollow.


Embrace the Dialogue

So, as new tools emerge, the question isn’t whether they will replace us. They won’t. The question is: How will you use them to say something meaningful to your audience?

In the end, technology will never replace the dialogue between artist and audience—it will only give us new ways to speak. The future of creativity is not about machines making art for us; it’s about how we, as artists, continue to shape that conversation.

How I Used AI to Plan a Student Event – And Why Educators Should Consider It

How I Used AI to Plan a Student Event – And Why Educators Should Consider It

When it comes to planning events for students, many educators proudly say, “I can do it myself.” And they’re right. Teachers are natural multitaskers who can organize everything from sports days to project weeks on their own.

However, using AI doesn’t mean giving up control or creativity. It means having a personal assistant to support and inspire you while you remain in the driver’s seat. Let me explain how I used an AI planning assistant to create a student-led LAN event (ÄäneLan) and why this approach makes you more empowered, not less.


You Stay in Control – AI Helps You Focus

Some people fear that AI will take over decision-making. The reality? You decide what ideas to use and what to reject. The AI is simply a brainstorming partner, a structured planner, and a resource-saving tool. At every step of planning ÄäneLan, I was the one making the calls. Here’s how it worked:

  1. I Set the Vision.
    I wanted ÄäneLan to be an educational event about gaming and digital culture that engaged students while developing their skills in teamwork, media literacy, and project management. The AI helped break that vision into actionable steps but never dictated the creative direction.
  2. The AI Suggested Options – I Chose What Fit.
    The AI provided a timeline, activity ideas, and safety protocols. I reviewed these suggestions and tailored them to fit our school’s unique needs. For instance, it suggested a peer-led discussion about gaming’s impact on mental health, which I kept, but I added a workshop on game design that felt more relevant to my students.
  3. It Helped With Details – I Focused on the Big Picture.
    The AI-generated checklists and templates for documentation, safety plans, and student evaluation criteria. This freed me to focus on what mattered most: creating a memorable experience for my students.

AI Users Are Creators, Not Followers

The most important thing to remember is that AI doesn’t replace your expertise—it amplifies it.
Think of it as a co-pilot:

  • It offers ideas when you’re stuck.
  • It reminds you of details you might overlook.
  • It keeps everything organized while you focus on building something meaningful.

But you always have the final say. Nothing happens without your approval and input.


Why AI Makes a Difference in Education

Here’s why I believe educators and school leaders should embrace AI tools:

  1. More Time for Teaching and Students.
    Planning a complex event can take hours. With AI, you’ll still be involved in every step, but the tool takes care of repetitive tasks like creating schedules or risk assessments. This frees up time to work directly with students.
  2. Expanded Perspective.
    AI offers fresh ideas you might not think of on your own. While planning ÄäneLan, I received suggestions on incorporating student-led feedback loops and gamification elements to boost engagement—both of which enhanced the event.
  3. Focus on Pedagogical Quality.
    With the AI taking care of logistics, I had more time to align the event with the curriculum and focus on learning outcomes. The result? A richer, more meaningful experience for the students.

Conclusion: AI Makes You a More Powerful Planner

Using AI in education is not about giving up control—it’s about taking control more efficiently and effectively. At every step, I was in charge of what happened. The AI was a tool, not a decision-maker. It helped me do more in less time and with fewer resources.

For educators and principals, this means you can dream bigger and achieve more, knowing you have a powerful assistant at your side. The future of education is not about replacing teachers with AI—it’s about empowering teachers to focus on what they do best: inspiring and guiding students toward success.

So, why not try it? You’re always in control.

AI starts to help students at Äänekoski

In a groundbreaking collaboration, the City of Äänekoski and the Northern Central Finland Vocational College (POKE) are embarking on a project that integrates artificial intelligence (AI) into municipal operations. This initiative aims to harness AI to enhance various city functions, improve services for residents, and provide POKE students with practical experience in cutting-edge technology.

The partnership focuses on developing AI-driven solutions tailored to the specific needs of Äänekoski. By leveraging AI, the city anticipates improvements in areas such as resource management, public safety, and citizen engagement. For POKE students, this collaboration offers a unique opportunity to apply their knowledge in real-world scenarios, working alongside city officials to implement and refine AI applications.

This initiative not only positions Äänekoski as a forward-thinking municipality but also strengthens the bond between the city and educational institutions like POKE. By embracing AI, Äänekoski aims to set a precedent for other cities in Finland and beyond, demonstrating the transformative potential of technology in public administration.

For more detailed information about this collaboration, you can read the full press release here:

AI Begins Its Work in Äänekoski – The City of Äänekoski and POKE in Remarkable Collaboration