From Fiction to Finance: How AI is Reshaping Creative and Corporate Worlds
Can AI be ethical and productive? My recent AI workshops and roundtables tackled this head-on for both creative and corporates.
Introduction
Last week was a whirlwind of AI-filled activities for me. I had the privilege of hosting two different kinds of events—each proving just how impactful artificial intelligence is in both the creative and corporate worlds. From teaching a course on AI to my local Fellowship of Australian Writers (FAW) chapter to moderating two CxO roundtables on digital transformation in the BFSI (Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance) sector, AI dominated the conversation. In both settings, the discussions were eye-opening, highlighting how AI can be a powerful tool when used ethically and effectively.
Background
The weekend started with a two-hour course I taught titled “AI Overview for Authors” at my local FAW chapter. The goal? To make AI more approachable for writers who, understandably, have their reservations. We dug into topics like AI ethics—questions that writers grapple with such as: Is using AI in writing cheating? Is it stealing creativity? Is it safe? The room was charged with skepticism at first, but by the end, several anti-AI attendees began to see the light. They realized that AI can be used ethically and even productively within the writing and publishing process. And by the time we finished, they had listed some key areas where they were going to try AI!
What made the session even more powerful was how we balanced theory and practice. We started by addressing the concerns, and then dove into real-world examples. By the end of the session, we discussed practical AI use cases—ways that authors can use AI to streamline the more tedious parts of their process, such as research and editing, while leaving the core creative work in their hands. The Q&A portion sparked great reflections, with each writer taking time to consider where they stood on the AI spectrum. It felt like a breakthrough moment for several in the room.
The AI train didn’t stop there. During the week, I shifted gears from the creative to the corporate world, where I had the pleasure of moderating two roundtables for Newgen Software—one in Sydney for insurers and another in Melbourne for bankers. The focus? Using AI to drive digital transformation in the BFSI sector. These sessions were both thought-provoking and practical. We explored how AI is reshaping customer journeys, automating processes, and improving AI governance and compliance—topics that are front and center in today’s evolving financial landscape.
At both events, we delved into key questions like:
How can AI navigate mission-critical, customer-centric insurance journeys to transform processes intelligently?
What are the best opportunities for intelligent automation in customer onboarding, underwriting, claims management, and customer service?
How do we balance customer experience, risk, and compliance while adopting AI technologies?
What’s the best way to choose a technology stack that supports AI-driven transformation?
It was highly encouraging to see that both creatives and corporate attendees are no longer fearing AI—they are embracing it. Whether it’s in storytelling or in streamlining financial services, the enthusiasm was palpable, and the conviction to make AI part of daily processes is growing.
Call to Action
So, where do you stand on AI? Are you hesitant, or do you see its potential but don’t know how to integrate it into your work or business? If you’re still on the fence, or if you need someone to help open the floodgates of AI creativity and innovation, I’m here to help.
Over the past several months, I’ve run successful events and courses, helping people understand and use AI in ways that make sense for them. Whether you need a keynote speaker to inspire your audience, a moderator for AI panel discussions, or someone to guide you through customized AI consulting or training, I’ve got you covered. The goal is to first get people comfortable with AI, and then dive into how to use it.
Let’s explore how AI can be an asset, not a threat, to your creative process or business operations. Whether you need help onsite or remotely, I’m available to assist you—along with a team of AI experts from around the world. Together, we can put you at the leading, or even bleeding, edge of technology.
Upcoming Blogs and Other Resources
Stay tuned for more insights into the intersection of AI and creativity. In upcoming blogs, I’ll dive deeper into AI tools for writers, share more case studies from the BFSI sector, and provide resources for those interested in adopting AI technologies ethically and effectively.
I’m also creating a series of free and very-low-cost online courses on using AI and will alert you when they are ready.
If there was ever a time to embrace AI, this is it. Feel free to reach out through my Substack or social media accounts, and let’s have a conversation about how I can help you make AI work for you.
Note: There are affiliate links within this blog post to products and services that I recommend and use personally. This means that I receive a small percentage of sales commission with no extra cost to you and in some cases, you may receive a discount for using my links. I only recommend products and services that I believe are great for authors and other creatives. For more information, you may check out our Affiliate Marketing Policy, which can be found on my author services website.