Is AI the New Thief of Joy?

There’s a unique kind of joy in creating something from nothing—a screenplay, a piece of code, a scientific breakthrough. It’s not just about the finished product; it’s about the process of getting there. The long hours spent scribbling ideas, typing furiously, or tinkering with experiments aren’t just the means to an end. They’re where the magic happens.

In those moments, when time fades and focus sharpens, the work becomes something more. It becomes a part of us.

But now, as artificial intelligence reshapes how we create, a question lingers: What happens to those magical moments of flow when the tools we use are so fast, so powerful, that they replace the slower, deliberate processes we once relied on?

The Tactile Joy of Creation

There’s something grounding about the physicality of creation—scribbling story ideas on paper, typing on a favorite keyboard, or watching a messy diagram take shape. These actions connect us to the work, turning abstract thoughts into tangible forms. They aren’t just productive; they’re satisfying in a way that algorithms can’t replicate.

Working with AI feels different. Instead of hours immersed in deep “clicky-clack” work, I often find myself dictating snippets or fine-tuning AI-generated drafts. The results are undeniably efficient—I can finish in hours what once took days—but something feels missing.

The slower, hands-on processes used to pull me into flow. They gave me friction, challenges, and the time to dive deep into ideas. AI often removes that friction. And while that might sound like progress, it’s precisely in those moments of struggle that flow thrives.

What Is Flow, and Why Does It Matter?

Flow is that sweet spot of creative focus where everything else falls away. Time stretches and disappears, and the work feels effortless yet intensely rewarding. Writers, artists, scientists, and anyone who’s ever been “in the zone” know this state well.

But here’s the catch: Flow doesn’t just happen. It needs friction—a challenge to solve, a task that demands focus, or a process that pulls you in. If AI smooths out every obstacle, we risk losing the very conditions that create flow.

Redefining Flow in an AI-Driven World

This doesn’t mean AI is the enemy of flow. It just means that flow in an AI world might look different. Instead of immersing ourselves in the grind of manual labor, we might find joy in orchestrating a symphony of ideas, collaborating with machines rather than competing against them.

But is this new version of flow enough? Will the instant satisfaction of AI-generated solutions ever compare to the deep fulfillment of losing yourself in hours of focused work?

As creators, we need to rethink how we use these tools—not just to be more productive, but to preserve what makes the creative process meaningful.

The Human Fear of Losing Something Irreplaceable

At the heart of many creators’ unease about AI isn’t just a fear of job loss or ethical concerns about machine-generated art. It’s the fear of losing joy.

The joy of building something unique. The joy of entering a flow state where ideas spark and come alive. The joy of stepping back after hours of effort and thinking, I made this.

This fear isn’t just limited to writers or artists. Coders, scientists, engineers—anyone whose work relies on focus and creativity—may face a similar shift. Those long, exploratory hours of trial and error might be replaced by a series of quick, efficient exchanges with AI. And while the results may be groundbreaking, the journey could feel very different.

Balancing Progress and Presence

So where does that leave us? Can we embrace AI without losing the parts of the creative process that bring us joy?

The answer lies in balance.

Reserve Manual Spaces: Keep certain parts of your process tactile and grounded. Write by hand, sketch ideas, or type without AI assistance. These moments anchor you in the work.

Create AI-Free Zones: Define parts of your workflow where AI isn’t invited—early brainstorming, ideation, or drafts that demand your undivided attention.

Redefine Friction as a Feature: Instead of letting AI solve every problem, use it to push your thinking or spark new ideas. Let friction be the spark that fuels your flow.

A Call to Action for Creators

We’re at a crossroads. AI has the power to transform our creative processes—but it’s up to us to decide how we use it.

The tools we choose define the creators we become. Let’s design workflows that celebrate the messy, tactile, deeply human parts of creativity while leveraging the possibilities AI offers.

Let’s make room for friction. For flow. For the joy of the climb.

Because at the end of the day, creating isn’t just about the result. It’s about the journey. And as creators, we deserve to enjoy every step.

Remember, you’re not facing the blank page alone. You have your scribbler’s toolbox. So, ABS. Always. Be. Scribbling.