My AI Journey

This is my first attempt at blogging. It may start out more like a diary, though not a daily recap. It will be more about my journey with AI and what I’ve learned along the way. I’ll try to keep it interesting — that is, if you’re interested in this topic.

I’ll admit, it has not been an easy learning curve. The challenge isn’t getting a result; it’s getting the result you’re actually after. That’s an entirely different story.

I retired from the logistics business after working in a number of different capacities. My journey there began in 1975, and I can assure you it was a very different world altogether. No one thought twice about doing everything manually. I don’t recall a single PC in my early years — just mainframes that took up an entire room.

Fast forward to around 1988, a few years after personal computers emerged, and I was introduced to the PC in a job-related capacity for the first time. Needless to say, it wasn’t something anyone was used to, and we weren’t exactly enthusiastic about adapting our workflow to include it. Regardless of generation, change isn’t always welcome.

I have to admit, I was pleasantly surprised by its potential. At the time it wasn’t capable of much — limited memory, limited capacity — but it marked the beginning of my acceptance of, and interest in, staying current with technology.

Over the years, much of my work involved overseeing workflow. Using technology to improve efficiency and enhance the work experience became a routine part of my career. I was heavily involved in software implementation and customization to meet changing business needs. In fact, several times I developed my own software and used it in daily operations.

When my work career ended, AI had already been emerging for several years. I hadn’t taken the time to pursue it seriously, but it definitely had my interest.

Throughout all those years, I was also a part-time musician, playing locally at various venues on weekends. I was a songwriter as well, writing, recording, and performing from time to time.

One of the first things I did after retiring was explore how AI could assist in songwriting and everything that goes with it. By then, my phone was already being bombarded with ads for AI song generation. I caught the bug — I had to try it.

My initial foray into AI songwriting was simple: follow the prompts, fill in the blanks, hit a button, and see what happens. To say I was surprised by the speed and quality of the production — even though it wasn’t a song I had any part in writing — would be an understatement. It was both surprising and satisfying.

I’ll fill you in on what followed a bit later.
Hope to see you soon.

— Rick