Samantha Pillay's Blog

How AI Home Help Could Revolutionize Unpaid Labor and Our LivesA glimpse into a future envisioned by “AI for Good,” where intelligent robots redefine domestic life.

We often talk about the future of work in terms of jobs being replaced by AI, or new industries being born. But there’s a vast, often invisible, economy that drives our daily lives — the world of unpaid labor. From cooking and cleaning to childcare and elder care, these tasks are essential, relentless, and disproportionately performed by one half of the population.

This isn’t just about chores; it’s about time, energy, stress, and the very fabric of our well-being. What if AI could step in, not to replace human connection, but to liberate us from the grind of repetitive, unpaid work?

The Invisible Burden: Unpaid Work and Gender Inequality

Globally, the scale of unpaid work is staggering. The OECD consistently highlights that women spend significantly more time on unpaid care work than men.

Globally, women perform 75% of the world’s unpaid care work. This translates to 3 times more than men.In some countries, women can spend up to 10 times more time on unpaid work.The monetary value of women’s unpaid care work globally is estimated to be at least $10.8 trillion annually — more than three times the size of the world’s tech industry. (Oxfam)

This imbalance isn’t just “traditional”; it has profound consequences. It limits women’s participation in paid employment, reduces their earning potential, impacts career progression, and leaves less time for personal development, leisure, and even essential self-care like exercise and sleep. It’s a key driver of the gender pay gap and pervasive stress.

The AI Promise: Reclaiming Our Time and Energy

Imagine a world where the drudgery of household tasks is largely managed by intelligent, adaptive AI. Our film, “AI for Good,” opens with a scene depicting exactly this: a quiet morning where TESSA, an AI-powered home assistant, seamlessly manages daily chores — from preparing breakfast to managing energy use.

This isn’t about creating sterile, impersonal homes; it’s about freeing up human potential. What could this mean for us?

Economic Empowerment: If a significant portion of unpaid domestic labor is automated, it could unlock vast human capital. More individuals, particularly women, could enter or re-enter the paid workforce, leading to:Increased Household Income: Directly improving standards of living.Reduced Gender Pay Gap: As women gain more consistent and flexible access to paid employment.Greater Economic Resilience: For families and communities.Enhanced Well-being and Mental Health: The mental load of managing a household is immense. Offloading these tasks to AI could lead to:Reduced Stress & Burnout: Fewer tasks to juggle, less “mental labor” to track.More Time for Self-Care: Opportunities for exercise, hobbies, personal development, or simply quiet relaxation — all crucial for mental health.Improved Sleep: A significant factor in overall well-being.Stronger Families & Communities: Reclaiming hours from chores means:More Quality Family Time: Parents could spend more engaged time with children, reading, playing, or simply being present, rather than constantly battling laundry or dishes.Stronger Relationships: With less domestic friction, partners could have more energy for each other.Community Engagement: More free time could translate into greater participation in local community activities, volunteering, and social connections.A Path to Sustainable Living: Beyond direct chores, AI can optimize home environments. As seen with TESSA managing heating, AI can play a crucial role in:Energy Efficiency: Learning patterns to minimize energy waste, leading to lower bills and a reduced carbon footprint.Waste Reduction: Smart inventory management to prevent food waste.

Imagining a Liberated Future

The opening scene of “AI for Good” isn’t just a fantasy; it’s a prompt for conversation. It invites us to consider a future where AI isn’t just about efficiency in the workplace, but about human liberation in the home. By taking over the monotonous, the repetitive, and the physically demanding aspects of unpaid work, AI could unlock unprecedented opportunities for personal growth, economic equity, and deeper human connection.

This is the future AIFilm4Good aims to explore — where technology is guided by human values to create not just a smarter, but a more humane world.

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The Hidden Workforce was originally published in PillayToPost on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

When I’m Santa’ CEO Picture Book

As parents, we all want to raise children who are not only kind and compassionate but also resilient, capable, and successful. We sign them up for sports to teach teamwork, music lessons to foster discipline, and coding classes to prepare them for the future. But what if one of the most powerful tools for building a successful and fulfilling life has been overlooked? What if the key lies in teaching them the joy of giving?

This very idea is the heartbeat behind my new children’s picture book, When I’m Santa’s CEO: Dreaming is Believing: Giving — Inspiring Philanthropy. I wrote this book to reframe philanthropy not as a simple act of charity, but as a dynamic and powerful form of leadership that every child can learn. It’s about showing children, especially young girls, that they can be the architects of a kinder, more connected world.

The Science of Generosity: It’s Not Just Nice, It’s Natural

We often think of generosity as a trait we must painstakingly instill in our children, but science tells us a different story. It’s actually part of our nature. Did you know that research from the University of British Columbia found that toddlers under the age of two are genuinely happier when giving treats to others than when receiving them?

This innate joy is what neurologists call the “helper’s high”. When we give, our brains release feel-good chemicals that boost our own sense of well-being. By encouraging our children to give, we aren’t just teaching them a moral lesson; we are connecting them with a powerful and intrinsic source of their own happiness. My book aims to capture this joy, showing the young protagonist leading a global effort to spread not just presents, but a ripple of generosity.

The Generosity Advantage: Why Givers Succeed

In a world that often seems to reward relentless ambition, the idea that giving can lead to success might seem counterintuitive. Yet, groundbreaking research from institutions like Wharton and Harvard has shown a clear link between generosity and success. People who consistently give of their time, knowledge, and resources tend to be happier, healthier, and yes, even wealthier.

Why? Because giving teaches indispensable life skills:
• Leadership and Influence: Philanthropy teaches children how to mobilize others and make a tangible impact, creating “ripples of change”.
• Networking: Building a “network of support” and strengthening communities are natural outcomes of giving, opening doors to future opportunities.
• Financial Literacy: Understanding how to allocate resources to create positive outcomes is a crucial skill for any future leader.
Raising a child who wants to have plenty to give others drives them to be successful so they can make that impact. That is the ultimate competitive edge.

The CEO at the Reins

When you picture a powerful philanthropist, who comes to mind? For many, it’s an older man. This is a stereotype I am passionate about changing.
The statistics show a different reality. The Women’s Philanthropy Institute confirms that women across all income levels are more likely to give to charity than men. Furthermore, we are in the midst of a “Great Wealth Transfer,” with women projected to control a majority of private wealth in the coming decades. The world needs to see women, and young girls, as leaders in generosity.
This is why the protagonist of When I’m Santa’s CEO is a young, ambitious girl. As I wrote in the book’s Author’s Note, placing a girl in the CEO role beside Santa reinforces that girls can lead with both kindness and capability. It’s a message to every child that their vision and compassion are their greatest strengths.

My Hope for This Book

When I’m Santa’s CEO is more than a Christmas story. It’s a conversation starter and a tool for parents who want to raise the next generation of changemakers.
My hope is that this book helps families redefine what it means to give. That it inspires them to volunteer at a dog shelter, sing at a nursing home, or simply offer comfort to those in need. I hope it sparks a belief in children that they have the power to create a “cycle of kindness” and leave a legacy of positive change.
Let’s raise children who don’t just dream of success but dream of significance. Because when children see someone like them making a difference, it sparks the belief that they can, too.

Join me on this journey. You can start the conversation with your family right away:
• Pre-order the ebook today to be the first to read the story on launch day.
• Want to hold the book in your hands? The paperback and hardcover are coming very soon! Join my newsletter to be the first to know the moment they are available.

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Giving Your Child a Competitive Edge was originally published in PillayToPost on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

When I’m the Prime Minister — Children’s Picture Book — Inspiring Tomorrow’s Leaders

As Australia heads towards another federal election, the nation turns its gaze to leaders who promise to shape our future. But while we scrutinize policies, platforms, and promises, I propose we ask a different question: What if our next Prime Minister was a child’s dream today?

Children see leadership through an unfiltered lens — a leader who listens, solves problems, and brings people together. They aren’t burdened by party politics, polls, or political agendas. Instead, they value fairness, honesty, and the courage to do what’s right. As we face mounting global challenges and societal divisions, the question of how we cultivate future leaders has never been more pressing.

Planting the Seed of Leadership

Every young girl who declares, “When I’m the Prime Minister, I’ll listen carefully,” is not just playing pretend — she’s practicing the language of leadership. Words like accountability, collaboration, and advocacy lay the foundation for understanding the responsibilities of those in power. These are the seeds of curiosity and confidence that can one day grow into a commitment to public service.

Yet far too often, leadership is reduced to a spectator sport. We analyze political manoeuvres, follow the latest controversies, and critique from the sidelines. But genuine leadership requires more than political tactics; it demands integrity, resilience, and the ability to unite communities in pursuit of the common good.

If we want better leaders, we need to start earlier. Conversations about leadership should begin in childhood — in classrooms, around dinner tables, and through stories that encourage empathy and vision. These conversations shape not only how children perceive leadership but also how they understand their role in a democratic society.

From Story-time to Civic Engagement

Fostering a leadership mindset doesn’t end with a bedtime story. Encouraging children to participate in community service, student councils, and volunteer initiatives helps them experience leadership in action. It also normalizes the idea that leadership is not defined by titles or political ambition but by a willingness to serve others.

Studies consistently show that leadership ambitions often form in childhood. Unfortunately, gender stereotypes and societal expectations can quickly diminish those aspirations, particularly for girls. When children see diverse role models in leadership, it broadens their understanding of who can lead. We must be intentional in encouraging girls to view themselves as capable leaders and ensuring boys grow up expecting to share leadership roles with women.

Leadership That Unites, Not Divides

The challenges of our time — from climate change to economic inequality — demand leaders who prioritize long-term solutions over short-term gains. Yet divisive politics has fractured communities and strained global alliances. Too often, leadership is viewed as a zero-sum game, where winning matters more than governing with purpose.

But children remind us that leadership at its core is not about winning arguments — it’s about finding common ground. They see leadership as the power to unite, not divide.

This election season, we have an opportunity to lead by example. Let’s model respectful debate, celebrate diverse perspectives, and demonstrate that democracy works best when leaders prioritise people over politics. Our actions today shape how the next generation will approach leadership tomorrow.

Building a Stronger Future

Imagine a future where our Prime Minister leads with the same optimism, fairness, and resilience children aspire to. A future where empathy guides decision-making, integrity is non-negotiable, and the pursuit of the common good prevails over personal gain.

We can’t wait until election day to demand better leadership. We need to cultivate it now by instilling in our young people the values and skills that genuine leadership requires. Through mentorship, open dialogue, and opportunities for civic engagement, we can prepare the next generation to navigate the complexities of leadership with confidence and purpose.

After all, today’s story-time dreamers could be tomorrow’s decision-makers. Let’s ensure they have the tools, values, and belief in their potential to lead us into a brighter future.

Dr Samantha Pillay OAM is a surgeon, author, and advocate for gender equity. Her Inspirational Careers for Kids series, including When I’m the Prime Minister, inspires young girls to dream big and believe in their leadership potential. She also created the AI-generated music video Dance with the Leader to encourage children to explore leadership through movement and creativity.

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What If Our Next Australian Prime Minister Was a Child’s Dream Today? was originally published in PillayToPost on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

The intersection of artificial intelligence and filmmaking represents one of the most transformative developments in modern storytelling. Beyond the flashy headlines and Hollywood concerns about AI replacing human creativity lies a profound opportunity: using AI-powered filmmaking to amplify voices, stories, and causes that have historically been marginalized or silenced entirely due to financial, logistical, or safety constraints. This emerging field of AI film for social impact is redefining what’s possible in advocacy, education, and awareness campaigns across the globe.

The Economics of Storytelling: Breaking Down Financial Barriers

Traditional filmmaking remains prohibitively expensive for most social impact organizations. A single episode of popular streaming shows like Stranger Things can cost an astronomical $30 million, while even modest film productions typically require budgets in the millions. For non-profits, educational institutions, healthcare advocates, and grassroots organizations, these figures place professional-quality filmmaking firmly out of reach, effectively silencing their stories regardless of importance or urgency.

AI filmmaking dramatically transforms this equation. By leveraging generative AI technologies, organizations can reduce or eliminate many traditional production costs including travel, accommodation, equipment transport, costumes, insurance, and significant portions of crew salaries. The economics are staggering: while traditional filmmaking costs continue to rise, an AI-generated film can be produced for a fraction of the cost. This radical cost reduction doesn’t just make filmmaking cheaper — it democratizes the entire medium.

For small organizations focused on critical societal issues like healthcare access, educational inequality, or environmental justice, this cost difference isn’t just significant — it’s transformative. Stories that would otherwise remain untold due to budget constraints can now be brought to life with cinematic quality previously reserved for major studios and well-funded production companies.

Narrative Quality in the AI Era

The question of quality naturally arises when discussing AI-generated content. However, public perception is shifting rapidly. Recent survey data reveals that 22% of U.S. consumers already believe generative AI could produce better shows and movies than human creators, with this sentiment reaching 30% among millennials. Perhaps more tellingly, 42% of respondents acknowledged that generative AI and humans can each produce entertaining content of comparable quality.

This evolving perception indicates that AI-generated content is increasingly viewed not as a lower-quality alternative but as a legitimate storytelling medium with unique advantages. For social impact organizations, this means their messages won’t be dismissed or diminished simply because they utilized AI in their production process.

Protecting Vulnerable Voices: Anonymity in Sensitive Storytelling

Some of the most important stories are also the most dangerous to tell. Narratives involving domestic violence, political persecution, health stigma, or other sensitive topics often require protection of subjects’ identities. Traditional filmmaking approaches to anonymity — such as blurred faces, silhouettes, or actor reenactments — can sometimes diminish emotional impact or inadvertently signal shame.

AI filmmaking offers a revolutionary solution to this challenge. Through the ethical application of AI, organizations can create fully realized characters and scenarios that protect real identities while preserving the emotional truth and impact of personal stories. This capability is particularly valuable in health advocacy, human rights documentation, and educational content addressing stigmatized conditions.

Amplifying Diverse Voices: Access and Representation

Diversity in filmmaking extends beyond what appears on screen to who gets to tell stories in the first place. Traditional filmmaking’s high barriers to entry have historically limited who can participate in the medium, often excluding creators from marginalized communities, developing nations, or those without access to industry networks and resources.

AI-powered filmmaking tools offer potential solutions to representation challenges in multiple dimensions:

Language and Accent Accessibility

Recent developments have shown how AI can enhance linguistic authenticity in film. Organizations can create content that resonates across cultural and linguistic boundaries, ensuring messages reach diverse audiences with cultural sensitivity and authenticity.

Production Accessibility for Diverse Creators

AI filmmaking tools offer inexpensive services for creating animations and visual content at a fraction of traditional costs. This democratization of production technology means that individuals and organizations without specialized technical training can now create professional-quality visual content. The result is a more diverse ecosystem of storytellers with the tools to bring their unique perspectives to audiences worldwide.

Ethical Considerations in AI Representation

While celebrating these possibilities, we must acknowledge legitimate concerns about AI’s potential impact on human representation. Critics rightly point out that replacing human actors with AI could undermine authentic representation and emotional connection. The key lies in using AI as a tool to enhance human storytelling rather than replace human presence entirely, ensuring that empathy and authentic lived experience remain central to the storytelling process.

AIFilm4Good: Pioneering AI Filmmaking for Social Change

At the forefront of this movement stands AIFilm4Good, the world’s first international multi-award-winning AI Film Studio dedicated specifically to social impact. Founded by Dr Samantha Pillay — a surgeon, author, and advocate — AIFilm4Good represents a groundbreaking approach to using AI technology for meaningful storytelling.

The studio specializes in creating cinematic short films and music videos that drive social impact through AI-powered storytelling, making high-quality visual content accessible to organizations dedicated to education, health, advocacy, and gender equity. This mission directly addresses the challenge of democratizing professional filmmaking for those with important messages but limited resources.

AIFilm4Good’s commitment to ethical AI ensures transparency, integrity, and anonymity protection for sensitive topics — a critical consideration when addressing issues that may require subject protection. This ethical foundation ensures that technological innovation serves human dignity rather than compromising it.

The studio’s track record demonstrates both the artistic and advocacy potential of AI filmmaking. AIFilm4Good has received international recognition for productions including “An Incontinent Truth,” “JUST SAY PSA,” and music videos like “When I’m an Astronaut” and “When I’m a Surgeon.” These award-winning productions showcase how AI can be leveraged not just for technical efficiency but for genuine artistic and social impact.

A Female-Led Revolution

As the world’s first AI film studio with a female founder, AIFilm4Good also represents an important step toward gender equity in both the AI and filmmaking spheres. This leadership dimension adds another layer to the studio’s social impact mission, demonstrating how technological innovation can help break down traditional barriers to leadership and creative control.

The Future of AI Film for Social Good

As AI filmmaking technologies continue to evolve, their potential for social impact will likely expand in several key directions:

Accessibility Beyond Production

Beyond making production more affordable, AI technologies can make content more accessible to diverse audiences. Automated translation, captioning, audio description, and other accessibility features can ensure that important messages reach all audience members regardless of language or ability status.

Interactive and Personalized Advocacy

Future developments may allow for more interactive and personalized content experiences, enabling viewers to engage more deeply with social impact messages. This dimension could transform passive viewing into active participation, enhancing the effectiveness of educational and advocacy content.

Sustainability in Production

AI filmmaking also offers environmental benefits by reducing the carbon footprint associated with traditional production methods. For organizations focused on environmental causes, this alignment of production method with mission values represents an important advantage.

Balancing Technology and Humanity

The rise of AI filmmaking for social impact doesn’t suggest replacing human creativity with algorithms. Rather, it represents an expansion of who can participate in visual storytelling and which stories can be told. The most effective approaches will likely blend AI efficiency with human insight, experience, and emotional intelligence — leveraging AI as a tool that serves human creativity and social purpose rather than supplanting it.

In Conclusion

AI film for social impact represents a profound opportunity to democratize storytelling, amplify marginalized voices, and address critical social issues through compelling visual narratives. By dramatically reducing production costs, protecting vulnerable sources, and expanding representation, AI filmmaking can help ensure that important stories are no longer silenced by financial, safety, or technical constraints.

Organizations like AIFilm4Good are pioneering this approach, demonstrating how technological innovation can serve social progress when guided by clear ethical principles and human-centered values. As these technologies continue to evolve, their potential for positive social impact will likely expand, creating new possibilities for education, advocacy, and social change through the power of visual storytelling.

The revolution in AI filmmaking isn’t just changing how movies are made — it’s changing whose stories get told and who gets to tell them. For organizations committed to education, health, advocacy, and equity, this technological transformation offers unprecedented opportunities to share powerful messages that inspire meaningful change.

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AI Film for Social Impact: Democratizing Storytelling for a Better World was originally published in PillayToPost on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Creativity for the Time-Poor and Art-Challengedhttps://medium.com/media/ff5d6385e426949a54b9e1c7c4b56343/href

In today’s fast-paced world, finding time to cultivate creativity can feel like an impossible luxury. Traditional art forms often demand patience, practice, and resources — something not everyone has in abundance. But what if you could produce art and music that’s enjoyable, even if you have no formal training, little free time, and no access to a studio? For me, AI has made this possible, opening the door to art and music creation in ways I’d never imagined. Watch the 8-second video I created in Runway, along with music created in Udio, for a quick peek at how AI makes creativity accessible.

Creating Art with AI: Satisfying Results Without the Frustration

As someone with limited art skills, I’ve often felt daunted by traditional mediums. If I were to start painting or sketching, the early results would likely be underwhelming, possibly even discouraging. Getting to a point where I could create something I truly enjoyed looking at would take a lot of time — and I might be tempted to give up long before that happened. But with AI, it’s different. I can take a short 10-minute break, input some ideas, and watch as the AI transforms my concept into something beautiful and unique.

This process lets me skip past the frustration of trying to master a new skill and instead enjoy the creative journey from the start. It’s satisfying to see a piece come together quickly, giving me that feel-good moment without investing hours — or dealing with the mess of traditional supplies. And it’s empowering. I get to create visually appealing images that I’m proud to look at and share, even without formal training.

AI Music: Bringing Sound to Life for Non-Musicians

AI has also given me a way to explore music, something I’d never have considered before. I can’t play an instrument, and my singing is far from stage-worthy, but with AI, I don’t need those skills. I’ve used AI music tools to create songs, and now, I have the joy of playing my own tracks in the car. It’s a surreal experience — hearing “my” music on Spotify, even if I’m the only one listening.

Without AI, it’s unlikely I’d have ever pursued creating music. Learning to play an instrument or produce music the traditional way requires time, dedication, and resources. But AI has made it possible to enjoy music creation, adding a new layer of fulfillment to my life that I never expected.

A New Avenue for Creativity and Well-Being

For people who feel they missed the chance to explore art or music in their youth, AI offers a second chance. It’s an accessible, frustration-free way to tap into creativity, even for those who may have once thought of themselves as “not the artistic type.” There’s also a growing body of research suggesting that creative activities can improve mental well-being. Engaging with art and music can help reduce stress, boost mood, and provide a sense of accomplishment — all without requiring years of practice.

So, could AI help bring the benefits of art and creativity to more people? I believe it’s already doing so, giving countless individuals a way to explore creative expression in an approachable and enjoyable format.

The Rise of AI Art in the Cultural Landscape

The acceptance of AI as a creative medium is also starting to gain ground in the broader art world. One example is the recent announcement of the world’s first AI art museum, Dataland, which is set to open in 2025 in Los Angeles. Founded by prominent AI artist Refik Anadol, this museum will highlight the intersection of human imagination and AI’s creative potential. Dataland will be located next to the Broad Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Art, placing AI art alongside some of the most prestigious cultural institutions in LA.

Anadol envisions Dataland as a space to celebrate the blending of human and machine creativity. He hopes the museum will promote an ethical approach to AI and inspire others to view technology as a partner in the creative process. This museum isn’t just about showcasing digital art; it’s about reimagining what creativity can look like in the AI age.

AI Art Achievements: Botto’s Record-Breaking Sale

AI’s impact on the art world isn’t limited to new museums. Recently, an AI artist named Botto, developed by artist Mario Klingemann and the software collective ElevenYellow, set records with a sale at Sotheby’s. Botto’s work, created using an autonomous AI trained with input from a community of users, has already amassed over $4 million in sales since its debut in 2021. This kind of success for an AI artist highlights the growing acceptance — and demand — for AI-generated art.

Botto’s journey challenges traditional ideas of artistic authorship and collaboration, as the AI’s outputs are shaped by feedback from a community of thousands. Each week, Botto’s DAO (decentralized autonomous organization) members vote on which of its generated pieces should be minted and sold. This model offers a new way for audiences to engage with and even shape AI art, blending technology with community input in a revolutionary way.

AI as a Tool to Enhance, Not Replace, Human Creativity

The potential of AI in art and music doesn’t mean that it should — or will — replace human creators. As Refik Anadol pointed out, the goal is not for machines to be the sole creators, but rather to serve as collaborators, enhancing the creative process. In my experience, AI has allowed me to explore creative avenues that would otherwise be out of reach, helping me find satisfaction in making art and music in ways that fit into my busy life.

By making art and music more accessible, AI opens doors to a world of creativity for people who might otherwise miss out. Whether it’s a quick mental recharge or the satisfaction of hearing your own song, AI is proving that art and music aren’t just for the experts — they’re for everyone.

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Embracing AI Art and Music: was originally published in PillayToPost on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

When I set out to create an image of a man cleaning a toilet, I didn’t expect it to be a challenge, having created countless images previously. After hours of experimenting with different prompts and adjustments, I was left with images that felt off. The man I wanted to portray didn’t seem to know what he was doing, his posture awkward, his expression bemused. It wasn’t just a bad image; it seemed like the AI simply couldn’t grasp what I was asking for.

So, I tried a little experiment. I flipped the prompt and asked for a woman cleaning a toilet. The results were astonishingly easier to generate. The AI-generated woman looked natural, focused, and competent, effortlessly fitting into the scene. This was a subtle but powerful example of the gender biases baked into AI models.

The Root of the Problem: AI Training Data

Generative AI models are trained on massive datasets collected from all over the internet, including images and descriptions. If the training data disproportionately shows women performing domestic tasks, the AI learns to associate these activities more closely with women. It’s not that the AI is deliberately biased — it’s simply reflecting the world as it “sees” it through its training data. This is how stereotypes get embedded and, ultimately, reinforced.

AI models can perpetuate stereotypes if their training data isn’t balanced and inclusive. This experience made me wonder: am I, as a content creator, therefore, aiding to combat these biases? Does the content I share or create have the potential to retrain AI, either directly or indirectly, and move the needle on gender representation?

Can Content Creators Make a Difference?

There are two ways content like mine can impact AI models. First, if my images or videos are used in future training datasets, they could directly influence the AI’s learning. In addition, the content I share online, can indirectly shape public perceptions and influence what others create, adding to the broader cultural narrative. By putting out content that challenges gender norms, I’m introducing new, diverse examples into the digital world. With more content creators actively working to break these stereotypes, we can start nudging AI’s understanding in a more equitable direction.

AI as an Enabler, Not the Enemy

Despite its flaws, AI has been a powerful tool in my creative projects. I recently created a short film titled *An Incontinence Truth*, using AI-generated images, voices, and music to raise awareness about urinary incontinence — a topic often overlooked. Without AI, this film, and dance-pop soundtrack, would not have been possible. AI provided the freedom to portray the emotional impact of incontinence, ethically, without using any real patients’ words or images. It allowed me to create content quickly and cost-effectively, highlighting the potential for AI to be a force for good when used thoughtfully.

Why We Need to Be Engaged

AI use will only increase, and we need to influence the gender biases embedded in these models. It’s crucial that we generate content that presents a broader, more inclusive view of the world. With active participation, we can help reshape the digital landscape, one image at a time.

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Why Creating a Man Cleaning a Toilet Image is Harder Than You Think (Thanks to AI) was originally published in PillayToPost on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

I’m thrilled with my latest generative AI creation — a one-minute animated video that brings to life the pages of my picture book When I’m a President. With its vibrant animation and catchy soundtrack, this video was designed to captivate and inspire young minds, particularly those of 4–8-year-old girls who might one day dream of becoming the President of the United States. But beyond the animation and melody lies a deeper story about the power of technology, the democratization of content creation, and the boundless possibilities it offers to creators like myself.

https://medium.com/media/8304c0f80205f70412204665f3dd408e/hrefThe Power of Generative AI

Generative AI is changing the landscape of creative industries, democratizing filmmaking in ways we could have only imagined a few years ago. As a self-published author, I don’t have access to a Hollywood budget or a full-scale production team. However, with the help of AI, I was able to create a professional-quality video that might otherwise have never existed.

AI doesn’t just lower the barriers to entry; it also means that content like mine isn’t constrained by the biases of big money and traditional gatekeepers. In a world where media is often driven by what’s profitable, AI gives creators the freedom to explore new ideas, voices, and perspectives. This technology allows anyone with a vision and a message to reach audiences far and wide, breaking down barriers that once stood in the way of creativity.

In my case, AI has enabled me to extend the reach of When I’m a President beyond the pages of the book. Through this video, I hope to connect with children and adults alike, inspiring them with the story of leadership and empowerment.

Reaching Beyond the Pages

Imagine a young woman, perhaps a teacher, aunt, or mentor, scrolling through videos on her tablet. She stumbles upon my animated video, her attention captured by the colorful scenes and the uplifting tune. Intrigued, she decides to purchase the book as a gift for a young girl in her life. As she reads the book herself, the affirmations and ideas about leadership begin to percolate in her mind, planting the seeds of what true leadership means. This realization sets her on a path to become a leader in her own right — perhaps in her community, workplace, or even on a larger stage.

As she becomes a role model for the young girl, the seeds of leadership and self-belief are planted in the child as well. Through reading the book together and discussing what makes a good leader, the young girl is in turn inspired to become a leader. The story and its impact create a ripple effect, fostering a future generation of women who will lead with confidence and conviction.

Self-belief and leadership qualities often begin forming early in life, but they can also be sparked later, by the right inspiration. Through this video and the book, I hope to reach that one woman who might be inspired to see herself as a leader and to pass that inspiration on to the next generation. It’s a story that could resonate for years, long after the video has ended and the book has been put down.

Breaking Gender Stereotypes

The importance of early intervention in breaking down career gender stereotypes cannot be overstated. Studies show that these stereotypes begin forming as early as five years old, and they can significantly influence the choices children make about their future careers. When I’m a President is designed to challenge those stereotypes, presenting the idea that leadership is not just for men but for anyone with the passion and drive to lead.

By bringing this book to life through animation, I’m hoping to reach a broader audience and reinforce this critical message. The video, much like the book, portrays a strong, confident female leader — an image that I hope will stay with young girls as they grow up, helping to shape their ambitions and career aspirations.

The Impact of the Music

People love the soundtrack. It’s catchy, and it appeals to both adults and children. The tune has a way of sticking with you, reinforcing the message of the book through music. We’d love to hear your thoughts on it! Here are the lyrics if you want to sing along:

When I’m the President
Verse 1:
♪ Beyond the glass ceiling, we rise ♪
♪ Hope reflecting in our eyes ♪
♪ Breaking through the midnight skies ♪
♪ Change is coming, no surprise ♪

Chorus:
♪ Leading the way ♪
♪ Shining brighter than day ♪
♪ In the land of the free ♪
♪ She’s our liberty ♪

Verse 2:
♪ With courage, strength, and grace she stands ♪
♪ Uniting hearts across these lands ♪
♪ From coast to coast, hand in hand ♪
♪ Together we will take a stand ♪

Chorus:
♪ Leading the way ♪
♪ Shining brighter than day ♪
♪ In the land of the free ♪
♪ She’s our liberty ♪

This song isn’t just an accompaniment to the visuals; it’s an anthem for young girls and women who are told through music that they can lead, inspire, and change the world. It’s a message that I hope will resonate, encouraging them to dream big.

Conclusion

As I reflect on the journey that led to the creation of this video, I hope that this simple, one-minute animation might find its way into the hands of someone who needs to hear its message — whether that’s a young girl dreaming of her future or an adult who still has dreams to realize. I hope that long after I’m gone, When I’m a President will continue to inspire and empower, helping shape tomorrow's leaders.

Generative AI has broadened the reach of my message, enabling it to touch more lives than I ever could have imagined. This is the world of difference that could truly make a difference to the world.

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A World of Difference that Could Make a Difference to the World was originally published in PillayToPost on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

I don’t mean because you can use ChatGPT to write something for you. I mean because you can use it to generate new ideas.

As a writer, I often want to change my first draft, several times.

Even if I don’t like the response generated by ChatGPT the process could keep the momentum going and help me discover what I am looking for. I can see how a ChatGPT response I don’t like could be as useful as one I like.

A new idea or perspective would not be limited by my experience or knowledge and might be something I haven’t previously considered. For example, you could ask, ‘Give me five unexpected actions the protagonist could take next’. This might inspire new ideas or plot twists, introduce new conflicts, add depth to characters, and keep readers engaged by defying expectations.

Here are the five examples ChatGPT gave me:

• The protagonist decides to team up with their former enemy to achieve a common goal, leading to an unexpected alliance that changes the course of the story.

• The protagonist chooses to betray their closest ally in order to protect a dark secret, leading to a moral dilemma that drives the narrative forward.

• The protagonist decides to fake their own death in order to evade capture by their enemies, leading to a thrilling escape sequence and a new identity that challenges their sense of self.

• The protagonist discovers a long-lost family member who holds the key to their past, leading to a new quest that puts them in danger but also gives them a sense of purpose.

• The protagonist makes a deal with a supernatural being to gain incredible powers, leading to a shift in the balance of power and an unexpected twist in the story’s climax.

ChatGPT can also help writers who are struggling with grammar and sentence structure. It can provide suggestions for alternative word choices, sentence structures, and punctuation, helping writers to improve the flow and readability of their writing. This could be like having an English tutor providing real-time feedback. The process could result in more rapid improvement in one’s writing skills rather than the view that writing skills will be eroded using AI.

1. Alternative word choices: If a writer is trying to describe a character’s emotions and types a sentence like “He felt bad,” ChatGPT might suggest more nuanced words to replace “bad,” such as “guilty,” “ashamed,” or “remorseful.” These suggestions can help the writer to convey the character’s emotions more effectively and create a deeper emotional connection with the reader.

2. Sentence structure: ChatGPT might suggest alternative ways to structure the sentence to create a more dramatic effect if a writer is trying to build tension and suspense in a scene. For example, if the writer types “The door creaked open slowly,” ChatGPT might suggest changing it to “Slowly, the door creaked open,” emphasizing the tension and drawing out the moment. This can help the writer to create a more immersive and engaging reading experience.

3. Punctuation: If a writer is trying to convey complex ideas in a sentence, ChatGPT can suggest more appropriate punctuation to clarify the meaning. For example, if the writer types “The company is hiring new employees which are expected to increase productivity,” ChatGPT might suggest adding a comma after “employees” to make it “The company is hiring new employees, which are expected to increase productivity,” which clarifies that the employees, not the company, are expected to increase productivity. This can help the writer avoid confusion and ensure their message is communicated clearly.

For those who haven’t tried using ChatCPT, it generates responses based on patterns in the text data it has been trained on. Once you generate a response, there is a ‘regenerate response’ button. My limited experience is that this gives a different yet often not better response, even with my prompting on how to improve. This may be because it is a matter of personal opinion on what I like and don’t like in the response, and ChatGPT doesn’t know what I like or want.

Will ChatGPT be a tool for inspiration, proofreading, and editing, helping writers produce faster, more polished results?

I am yet to be convinced that the best final result is one not created by me. I feel like I can still improve on ChatGPT’s response. That might be something we both have to agree to disagree on, but for now, I’ll be using my own ‘regenerated response’.

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Will ChatGPT be the end of writer’s block? was originally published in PillayToPost on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Queen Consort Camilla, King Charles III and The late Queen Elizabeth II

Will The Queen’s example change our thoughts about working in our ‘retirement’?

Queen Elizabeth has shown us how you are never too old to work in some capacity. Adaptions and adjustments might be required, but contributions to society and the paid workforce can continue well beyond the retirement age of 66 years, six months in Australia, and 67 years in the US. In the UK, the eligible age for the State Pension is 66 years and will increase to 68 by 2046.

Now we will watch King Charles III take up the busiest job for a working royal at age 73, while Camilla steps up at age 75. Prince William’s diary just got busier, and he has an even more active future to look towards at an age when most of us think of slowing down.

Current workforce shortages mean we need more workers. We have recently seen the Great Resignation as many workers have made lifestyle choices, which some have coined the Great Re-Evaluation. The way people want to work as they age is likely to change, but the potential contribution of the over 66s to the workforce is a significant untapped economic resource.

With rising living costs, many will have had to recalculate what they need to live comfortably, either deferring their retirement or considering re-entering the paid workforce.

In addition, flexible Government policy to allow paid work without a complete sacrifice of benefits could create incentives with immense economic benefit.

As a doctor, I see further advantages for people staying physically and mentally active, engaged in purposeful work, connected to a work community rather than isolated, and in a better position financially to afford the increasing health care costs associated with ageing.

Staying employed helps people stay up to date with technology. I see a great divide between patients who can book appointments online, send and receive emails, receive SMS reminders, pay invoices, complete registration and hospital forms online and those who cannot; a divide widened by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Employers will need to consider their interests to attract older workers, but considering their experience and skill set, employers could reap the rewards. Older workers have had the time to develop the soft skills lacking in younger employees, which they can pass on to others in your team.

What would these workers be looking for in a role? Less than full-time hours, less physically demanding work, extra holiday leave (even if unpaid), flexible hours, additional sick leave and an opportunity to use their decision-making and management skills? If you have ideas, leave your comments below.

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Working Royals Bring New Meaning to Retirement was originally published in PillayToPost on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

How does surgical training compare to astronaut training?

As I researched what it takes to become an astronaut for my latest kid’s picture book, When I’m an Astronaut, I realized there were some similarities (and differences) to my own surgical training, beyond being a woman in a male-dominated field.

I don’t just mean whilst operating; you can’t eat, drink, pee or scratch your face. As surgeons, we learn to avoid drinking too much before scrubbing for a long case, and we haven’t resorted to wearing adult diapers.

For many astronauts or surgeons, it starts with a childhood dream inspired by a book, person, media story or another event. A love of STEM is a key ingredient. Although getting selected for surgical training might not be as competitive as astronaut candidate selection, it can still take years to get selected, and many never make it.

Surgical training includes understanding and sometimes conducting scientific research, a significant component of an astronaut’s work.

Astronauts spend most of their careers practicing on earth and have better training simulations than surgeons. Although technology has advanced surgical training, there is still no simulation quite like the real thing when it comes to operating. We spend most of our careers operating, constantly refining our skills. Much of surgical training relates to preventing complications and preparing for every possible scenario, like astronaut training. If you’ve ever had surgery, you know by the number of times you get asked your name and birth-date that we check everything several times too.

I fear the food in space is a similar standard to hospital food. Unfortunately, the long work hours of a surgeon often means not getting enough natural light or exercise, and on-call rosters can disrupt normal day-night patterns. When you finish the grueling demands of surgical training, it can take some time to acclimate to the real world. When it comes to survival training, we get years of it as surgical trainees.

As a surgeon, you need to think on your feet, usually with no one to call for help, and we need to solve life-threatening problems under time pressure. For an astronaut, it’s their life at risk rather than someone else’s, and they’re technically floating rather than standing on their feet. Still, we don’t need to take that expression literally.

With the extra PPE and face shields we now wear as surgeons in a world with COVID, we even look more like astronauts, but we desperately need some space-grade anti-fog for our face shields. Hey — our scrubs and jumpsuits were blue first. I suppose they’ll be wearing green next. Except when surgeons get scrubbed, they are ready to launch into an operation. Unlike a scrubbed mission, that’s back to the drawing board.

Whether in the operating theater or space, a successful mission takes teamwork. We try not to mix or ignite the explosive gases in the operating theater. As a urologist, I’ve removed kidney stones that may have resembled moon rocks. We might not have to learn Russian, but we do need to learn a whole new language of medical terminology and instruments. I wonder if using that robotic arm on the International Space Station is like driving the Da Vinci robot. If you need to know how to tie knots up there, we can help.

Astronauts are exposed to high levels of radiation in space. As surgeons, we have worked with radiation in theater for years and wear lead gowns for hours on end, under all our gear. Try doing that in gravity!

Being a surgeon takes courage, and your work is for the benefit of all people, although more for the present generation rather than the future generations, who will benefit from space exploration.

When you have cut someone open and seen people from the inside it gives a perspective that we are all created equal, and surgeons can see humanity as one. I wonder if this is a similar feeling to looking back at the earth from space.

Being able to operate on someone is a privilege and something that few people will ever experience in their lifetime, although many more than have visited space — but maybe not so in the future.

Learn more about “When I’m a Surgeon”

Learn more about “When I’m an Astronaut”

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Operation Launch Asclepius was originally published in PillayToPost on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.