Robin Blinder for E&P Magazine
These days, no matter where you go, no matter what you read, no matter where you go, you're being attacked by AI. You might think so when reading the May issue. This was not a mistake or an oversight. AI is essential to moving the industry forward, as well as understanding what it means for our future.
I'm old enough to remember the beginning of the internet, email, and cell phones (don't ask). I had a big brick cell phone and had to “dial up” to use the internet. It took me a very long time to get back to feeling “connected” to the point where I could chat with colleagues over coffee. I also read a lot of science fiction and non-fiction about robots taking over our lives, or conversely, taking over all of our daily chores. Does anyone remember the Jetsons? So it's a little surreal to me that we're at the end of the rainbow and the pot of AI gold is somewhat shiny and tarnished at the same time.
Unless you've been living under a rock, you've probably read or heard most of the horror stories about AI taking your job and decimating our industry. As we raised in our cover story, there are concerns that AI will change everything. AI-powered generative search is one aspect that increases anxiety for many as they think about the industry's declining revenues. Our story is a call to action for all of us. Because sticking our heads in the sand at this point would almost certainly mean our demise. Jennifer Bartette, president and CEO of Trib Total Media and 535media, said in our cover story: I hope that as an industry we don't make the same mistakes of the past and don't ignore new technology when we see it until it's too late. ”
We all know what ignoring disruptors has done to this industry in the past, but AI is more of a disruptor. This message is for all of us, large and small, community and nation, niche and public, young and old. If you don't understand something, learn by reading books, doing experiments, or taking classes. You don't have to accept it in every area of your life, but try to approach it with an open mind. As Frances Wick told Gretchen Peck, “The biggest challenge, to me, isn't the number of clicks on Google search. They're the cultural shift to recalibrate to this new reality. It will be a change. I think there are some real opportunities for those who are willing to “let go.” I also think, for the first time in my career, there is a real opportunity here, at this tipping point where we let go. And I think the future is actually pretty encouraging if we can let go. ”
Approach carefully, but carefully. After all, it can mean the difference between having a bright future and no future at all. If only this old girl could learn a new trick or two…
Robin Blinder is E&P's editor-in-chief. She has been working at her E&P for 4 years. Contact her at robin@editorandpublisher.com.