How Artificial Intelligence has been saving Victoria Kimani big money – Exclusive)
The reception of artificial intelligence (AI) across different industries has been either hot or cold. Some people embrace AI for what it can do in job markets such as technology, healthcare and finance, while others shun it for fear of how it might replace human skills and experience in job markets, including in areas such as education and the creative arts.
Take the music industry, for example. For an artist to break into the scene and become successful, they need managers to oversee their career and day-to-day activities and provide strategic direction, music producers to shape their sound and ensure their music is polished and professional, songwriters to work with them to ensure their song catalogues are diverse and resonate with audiences, publicists to manage their public image and media presence, and booking agents to arrange performances, tours and gigs for them to gain exposure and build a loyal fan base.
Additionally, an artiste would need to work with a record label that will give them the resources to record, market and distribute their music, social media strategists who will ensure their online presence, fan engagement and content creation is top-notch, and lawyers who will help them protect their legal interests and negotiate contracts for them.
Not left behind is the creative team of photo and videographers, graphic designers, make-up artistes and fashion consultants who will help build their brand as well as working with other artistes to reach new audiences and grow their careers.
And all these professional collaborations need money. Tons of money. Shooting a music video in Kenya has different budgets. The budgets will vary depending on what type of music video you want to shoot and a host of other items including concept development, storyboarding, location scouting and permits, director and crew permits, equipment rental, location fees, video vixens, wardrobe and props, editing, music licensing, travel and accommodation and catering. One video, according to research, can cost an artiste between Sh800,000 and Sh3.8 million from start to finish in Kenya.
But for American-born Kenyan sensational musician Victoria Kimani, AI continues to aid her in saving a ton of money in the line of her career.
“AI has saved me a lot of money because I used to have to pay a guy to do my artwork, pay for someone to do a song snippet before I can upload it (online). I used to have to go do weird Photoshop editing. Now I just snap on a filter, which is AI, you know. I don’t have to put on a dress and makeup,” she said.
“For real, it really does everything for you. Just off the top, being able to create my own concept using AI as well as not having to have a full ‘facebeat’ all the time but need to pass a message or go live- I can literally just boom [and I’m live with minimum hassle]. You know, which is very good for me because I do love makeup and I’m not saying I need it but I’m sorry, those filters are really cute so who doesn’t want to look like that,” said Ms Kimani.
A music artiste can integrate the use of AI in building their brand by using t to get personalized fashion recommendations based on their body type, preferences and fashion trends, it can assist in social media content creation as well as scheduling and optimization for when the best time to post online is to get maximum fan engagement and to enhance music video visuals such as visual effects, colour grading and aesthetics to make sure the artiste’s fashion and style is front and centre.