January 2026
In a world of AI, will there ever be a novel idea again? My question comes from several thought streams I’ve been mulling over lately.
First, I remember back in elementary school there was a science fair of some type where the students were tasked to invent something. The winner was a kid who built a mailbox that could be opened from both sides, so that it would be helpful and safer for those who lived on busy streets. I remember at the time thinking this was brilliant and why didn’t I think of something like this? This was also at a time before the internet. I’m sure someone already had thought of this, but no one was in the position to be looking it up on their smartphone in their pocket to verify. And certainly “stealing” this idea from someone who already thought of it would have been a far-fetched thought because the resources to do so would have been lacking especially for an elementary school student.
I then think to Elizabeth Gilbert’s book Big Magic where one of the concepts described is about ideas that kind of “float around” from person to person. When an idea comes to you it’s up to you to act on it or not. If you sit on it for too long, it may go to someone else. Interesting concept for sure. I reflect on this from time to time as I have had ideas, but then do nothing because it requires putting so many other things in motion that I ask myself if it’s a good idea at all. I wonder, just as the book says, does the idea just go to someone else? When I question the legitimacy of my ideas I’m often put into place when I see the endless feeds on social media where MANY people are pursuing ideas of all varieties (simple, complex, some even a little “out there”) of which they seem to be doing just fine pursuing and I wonder what holds me back?
I think it comes down to having a passionate idea, one that you have enough interest in to pour effort into. This is the hamster wheel that a lot of people are in, waiting for that one idea or opportunity to come along that is in alignment with your passion good enough to act on. Unfortunately, this is where some sourness enters my thoughts. When that day finally comes and you have an epiphany of sorts and you start pursuing something, like writing a book, creating a product, building something, etc, you may find that you’re a day late and a dollar short. Once you take that idea and bump it up against social media or the internet you may find that, wow, many others have already beat you to the punch or have created something similar. My husband would say, “well so what, haven’t you heard of competition?” While I agree with that and think you should just create and pursue whatever you want, if you have passion for it, I do question was it really meant to be like this? Was my ideation process supposed to be squashed by someone across the world that came across my feed? Should I just stop in my tracks because I’ve now seen somebody else already doing something I want to do? Am I supposed to be aware of and exposed to what everyone else is doing across the world all of the time? I really don’t know, but I do realize this is where we are in time. This leads me to my overarching question.
At a high level our current position on the timeline (from my simple day-to-day point of view) is the point in time where everyone is heavily dosing themselves with social media, screens, and the internet at every turn (quite literally since most people rely on some type of maps app to get anywhere). People are now being “influenced” in their decisions by “influencers” or what the algorithm kicks to you next. Chat bots are becoming available. AI is increasingly being sprinkled in with AI generated content and AI responses to google questions, etc. But what happens as AI advances? Will it totally commandeer the feed and all of the offshoots of our society? Will it become the influencer? Will there ever be a novel idea again? Is it even worth creating something now that may be trumped and deemed useless in two seconds? What problems will be left to be solved by little ole me or my kids? What space will be left for new ideas?
In conjunction with these thoughts, I just finished Dan Brown’s book, Origin. (Excellent book in my opinion and slightly ahead of its time being a modern/current book, with contemplating AI). Between the book’s story line, our current point in time, and hearing what’s coming, such as AI generating movies, songs, books, endless content, etc, it doesn’t take long for your mind to go down this rabbit hole of skepticism. Just where exactly will this end up and what will be left? Do I only want to be entertained by synthetic stories and see art that is no longer a product of the human mind? Is there a place for both? If AI becomes so advanced will anyone even care to consider anything else?
The topic is altogether daunting, but it’s so rapidly approaching it’s hard to ignore. Of course, I know there is a total flip side to this coin with many benefits. I love some of the tools already available, so don’t get me wrong, but I still find myself concerned with how we will all adjust and thrive. What do I do in the meantime, how do I pivot into the unknown?
There was one line in Dan Brown’s book Origin that gave me some pause for reflection. It was a quote imbedded in his story, and it said, “Nothing is invented, for it’s written in nature first. Originality consists of returning to the origin. Antoni Gaudi”. So, is this then something to consider for where to shift my effort? If I entertain for a minute that nature is square one with ideas and innovation, is it hopeful to think that humanity continues to be the ones that will be the closest to nature and thus still have a leg up on innovation vs a non-human intelligence? Will AI be too many degrees separated to take over completely?
In support of the Antoni Gaudi quote, it is evident that even the high-level technology of today has advanced through observing nature. Mimicking even. Airplanes look an awful lot like birds, and man-made dams have taken a note or two from beavers. Will nature still be a component for true innovation and inspiration in the future?
I don’t know. I am still concerned especially for my kids. What opportunities will be available down the road? How do I prepare myself and them? Despite the void ahead I do think that at the end of the day you must have a little faith that it will all work out. I am hopeful that just as the discoveries in nature seem to be endless, so too will the ideas, innovation, and creation yet to come.
