The Evolving Meaning of “Premium”

I’ve been thinking about how frequently I see the term “premium” these days.

In the past, it referred to quality materials—like better leather or craftsmanship. Nowadays, it’s more about superior software, cleaner interfaces, and fewer hassles in our tech experiences.

Interestingly, I’m not that concerned about AI taking over creative jobs. I believe it will ultimately clarify what true creativity is.

But the way AI is developing could flip the concept of “premium” back on its head. As perfect artificial outputs become abundant and cheap, what’s real might start to hold more value than ever.

Man vs Machine

Not long ago, I had lunch with a group of conservatives, and we got into a chat about AI. After discussing its potential impact on jobs, one person turned to me and asked how I thought it would affect my work as both a writer and a photographer.

I responded something like:

I’m not really worried about AI affecting me personally. For others? Sure. For the world? Certainly. But for me and what I do? Not so much.

Why do I feel this way? Because I think AI affects different things in oddly uneven ways. The more something looks like it was churned out by a machine—efficient, predictable, smooth—the more likely it is that a machine can replicate it at scale. But anything that seems distinctly human will become far more valuable.

Take those overly polished photos and videos that look so artificial. Soon, AI will perfect them effortlessly. We won’t need those glossy, unrealistic visuals anymore. This whole style is quickly falling out of favor, now being labeled as “AI slop.”

Meaningless sentences that exist just to fill space? Those are fading away too. Anyone trying to become a robot-like source of information, devoid of warmth, is bound to be replaced by AI.

Skills that allow people to mimic computer functions won’t be in demand as they once were.

The Disparity Grows

There’s definitely going to be a significant divide. Many will happily embrace AI. They’ll watch Facebook videos without a second thought about whether they’re computer-generated. I even met a taxi driver in Italy who enjoyed listening to AI-created music. Some folks might actually prefer machine-made content over human creations.

Yet, for those of us who appreciate individuality, taste, and authenticity, everything human is going to be worth more than it has in the past.

In a landscape cluttered with flawless imitations, the real deal stands out. Unedited photographs? Those will become treasures. Film photos are not just digital files; they’re physical remnants of real moments—entirely altered because light hit a chemically treated film. Someone had to pick that shot, press the shutter, and accept whatever came out.

Proof of Humanity

We’ve now created a faceless machine that spits out text. When machines can produce endless competent writing, the very idea of competency becomes less valuable. What people will start to seek is proof of a distinct consciousness. In this AI-driven era, the ultimate offering from creators will be evidence that actual humans were involved.

I’m still not nervous about AI taking away meaningful creative work. I think it will shed light on the true essence of creativity. It’s not exclusive to artists or writers; it’s about anyone brave enough to infuse their work with a piece of themselves, resisting the sterile perfection that AI brings.

The deeper we get into this perfection, the more we may crave bits of real life—the “handmade” element of one person’s creation for another.

That’s where the true value lies.