Art is playing an increasingly important role in the evolving business and technology landscape. Companies like OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, are embracing artists like Alex Reben, marking a significant shift in business innovation. Incorporating art into technological advancement is not just for aesthetics, but to foster disruptive innovation.
Artistic thinking is a concept pioneered by figures like John Maeda that differs from the more structured design thinking approach. While design thinking focuses on practical, user-focused problem solving, artistic thinking emphasizes creative exploration and questioning. It’s about asking rather than solving, exploring rather than deepening, and questioning reality rather than accepting it.
This innovative approach is reflected in the Airbnb business model, which was conceived by fine arts graduate Brian Chesky. His artistic approach not only changed the hospitality industry, but also redefined how people view and interact with the concept of home.
Similarly, the entry of Waze and Google Maps into our daily lives illustrates how artistic thinking can challenge and change social norms. Taxi driver Seu Lauro, who once prided himself on knowing every street in his city, now begins to question the world’s reliance on memory. Simon Weckert further highlights the power of questioning reality by showing 99 smartphones connected to Google Maps showing a severe traffic jam, but there is actually no one there.
The fusion of art and technology, especially through the lens of artistic thinking, is not only a trend, but also a necessity for businesses to stay ahead in the AI era. It is about opening new paths, not deepening existing ones. The example of Airbnb and the impact of Waze and Google Maps on society highlight the transformative power of questioning and innovation.
Ultimately, the worlds of business and art are not so disparate. Both seek to create, change and impact society in innovative and meaningful ways. The future of work and innovation may indeed require a new language, or two.
As we enter the AI era, it is crucial to embrace the emphasis of artistic thinking on questioning reality and creating new possibilities. The journey ahead is not just about answers, but about the questions we ask that will lead us to more interesting realities.
In conclusion, the fusion of art and technology through artistic thinking is not only a trend, but also a necessity for businesses to thrive in the AI era. It is about pushing the boundaries of creativity, questioning the status quo, and creating new realities.
In all walks of life, artistic thinking can stimulate innovation by introducing novel perspectives and methods. For example, in the field of product design, in addition to problem-solving design thinking, artistic thinking can also be used to explore the emotional needs of users and create more attractive products. In the field of marketing, artistic thinking can be used to build a unique brand image and attract consumers' attention. Artistic thinking can also help teams or organizations cope with future challenges because it encourages people to think about problems from different perspectives and discover new solutions. Especially when faced with complex and uncertain situations, artistic thinking can stimulate the creativity of team members and help them find non-traditional solutions.
My thinking
I personally do not particularly prefer a certain kind of thinking, but should complement it. Similar to the knowledge curse I mentioned earlier, sometimes I should jump out of myself and look at things from another perspective. In the past, sometimes I did a lot of work, which looked very versatile, but actually took a lot of time, and also made me accustomed to staying on a certain line for a period of time. When you stop, change your thinking and change your role, and sometimes you will gain a lot. If you are a designer, when you report the plan to the client, you are a sales role. You can also understand the advantages and disadvantages of your design, where the pain points are, and how to improve from the sales thinking, and so on. The times are changing too fast, and being exposed to different ways of thinking can help you better adapt to an unstable environment.
Some examples are from Art Thinking: creating desirable futures in the AI era. ---Carolina Guimarãesa. ---Carolina Guimarães