AI Think; Therefore, I Am

FOR THE SECOND straight year, we have devoted our March issue to high tech, and even more than last year, that means AI. Tech Products this month expressly covers “future tech in the signshop” (see page 18). Our cover story features five sign companies using AI for writing, project management, social media and more . And of course, for image generation as on our front cover — and for the scary-looking AI-adapted version of my portrait above — both wonderfully created by our Designer Ralph Bagares.

But like the aforementioned portrait (which clones me halfway into WWE founder Vince McMahon) what you get isn’t always — if you’ll indulge my vanity — as pretty as it should be. That’s why apart from this issue and those images, our terrific designers aren’t currently using AI.

Also, ST Assistant Editor Mildred Nguyen and I are not using AI for writing, editing… anything, really. Maybe we’re missing the boat, but I don’t think AI could have come up with such a tremendous debut column as Mildred’s “Prints and Wraps” this month.

AI is great for building on what’s already been created, but we’re still using our brains to create today, that which AI will make its own tomorrow.

Don’t Miss the Big Survey!

Our fourth annual Big Survey supplement, which mailed with the March issue, covers everything from owner/manager and shop demographics to retirement plans, how much they pay and charge, and much more — guaranteed to both entertain as well as inform! Check it out at signsofthetimes.com/big-survey.