An artful approach to innovation
Can we leverage the power of art, with the help of technology, to create a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities in the supply chain?
I am reading a beautiful book, full of intense, mind-shifting ideas and images—The Nexus: The New Convergence of Art, Technology, and Science by Julio Mario Ottino with Bruce Mau. The Nexus is an energizing guide for taking the helm and navigating today’s seemingly overwhelming barriers. The authors know what they are talking about. Ottino is an internationally recognized researcher published in Nature, Science, and Scientific American. He is a Guggenheim Fellow and the founding Codirector of Northwestern University’s Institute on Complex Systems. Mau is a world-class designer, artist, entrepreneur, author, and educator. For many years, he designed all of the books published by the Getty Research Institute and the Gagosian Gallery. Together, they make the case that "today's complex problems demand a radically new way of thinking—one in which art, technology, and science converge to expand our creativity and augment our insight." Inspired, I decided to give it a go. This edition is a radical collaboration with OpenAI’s ChatGPT and DALL·E. Working together, we combine my ideas about the science of innovating the supply chain with AI’s technology-driven ability to create prose and images in the style of artists. I am testing the hypothesis that AI can act as my copilot. What follows in an experiment and, perhaps, a start toward embracing the fusion of art, science, and technology to unlock boundless possibilities for a brighter tomorrow, enabled by a supply chain worthy of our times.
When art meets science
Art, as demonstrated by poems and images, has the power to capture the essence of complex topics like supply chain innovations. By leveraging art, businesses may foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of the challenges and opportunities in the supply chain. Artistic representations can serve as catalysts for discussions, brainstorming sessions, and collaborative problem-solving. Moving forward, integrating art into supply chain conversations can inspire innovative solutions, foster a culture of creativity, and bridge the gap between technical complexities and human emotions.
Below, I share two poems created by ChatGPT in the style of an ancient and modern poet. Each is a rewrite of my Supply Chain Quarterly article, “Distribution, supply chain innovation, and a brighter future” (available here.) Before each poem, I share another work of art, again created by artificial intelligence. Both are representations of the global supply chain, again in ancient and modern styles.
Chronicles of the Digital Dawn
My article rewritten as a poem by ChatGPT in the style of The Iliad
In a realm where the digital winds blow strong, Where the age of connection has come along, Mark Dancer, the bard, did sing a song, Of distributors, the heroes, to whom power belong. In times of yore, distributors stood tall, Assemblers of value, they answered the call, With products aplenty, without any bias, They served the masses, a bridge to the pious. But now, in an age of complexity vast, Customers seek more than products amassed, Services, data, and AI so grand, Knowledge and labor, from a distant land. Behold! ChatGPT, with power untold, A hundred million users, in its digital fold, Generative AI, its heart and its core, A force uncontrolled, forevermore. Three North Stars, Mark Dancer did cite, Guiding the way, through the digital night, Proximity, flourishing, and generational sway, These are the beacons, to light our way. Proximity speaks of value, right where it stands, Crafted close to the heart, by adept hands. Not bound by the past, nor the chains of old ways, But envisioning futures, where immediacy sways. For in this age, where time is a treasure, Proximity promises value beyond measure. A dance of demand, in time and in space, Guiding the digital age with grace and embrace. Flourishing, a term, not just a mere word, A goal for distributors, as Mark Dancer has heard, Local businesses they were, in times long ago, But the digital age, a new challenge did throw. Yet, in this age, they still have a part, Helping communities, with all of their heart, For in ages past, where cultures did meet, Innovation did flourish, in every heartbeat. The youth of the realm, the future they own, Decisions they make, as seeds are sown, Embrace them we must, as change does unfurl, For they are the torchbearers, in this digital whirl. Thus ends the epic, of the digital age, A tale of power, wisdom, and sage, In a world ever-changing, with challenges new, Together we stand, our purpose renewed.
In a Realm of Bytes & Dreams
My article rewritten as a poem by ChatGPT in the style E.E. Cummings
in a world digital(ly) spun mark dancer tells of distributors, the unsung heroes (and their tales) distributors once (assemblers of worth) in a simpler dance brought products to earth but now in a realm complicated and vast customers helm a future so cast chatGPT (oh chatGPT) with users a hundred million AI’s heart, its footprint a future unspun, unstillion youth (bright and bold) own futures untold embracing, reshaping a world to behold north stars (one two three) guide through digital sea proximity, flourish, generational spree beacons for you and for me future (winning and bright) calls for voices to unite outside, inside, day and night together we might just get it right flourishing (not just a word) but a goal, so dancer heard local once, now digital bird in this age, their song is still heard in a world so vast and new dancer tells a tale (it's true) of distributors, and their view in a digital age, ever askew.
Radical Collaboration
In Chronicles of the Digital Dawn, the narrative delves into the evolution of supply chains in the digital age, emphasizing distributors’ historical significance and the transformative power of technology, particularly ChatGPT. The poem underscores the importance of embracing the youth and concludes with a call for unity and collaboration. On the other hand, In a Realm of Bytes & Dreams adopts a more modern tone, touching upon the once-central role of distributors now navigating a complex digital realm. This poem, too, emphasizes the guiding "north stars" of the digital age and the essence of unity in facing challenges.
Working together, as human and artificial intelligence, this exercise has illuminated the profound potential of combining art and analytical exploration. Poetry, often seen as a realm of pure emotion and expression, can be a powerful tool to dissect and understand complex subjects like supply chain innovation. Our collaboration showcased how technology can extract and present information, while human intuition and creativity can interpret and weave narratives, bridging the gap between abstract concepts and tangible understanding.
Your thoughts? Do you have ideas on how to innovate around the convergences of art, technology, and science? Can you imagine how these poetic narratives, or other forms of art, can help innovators navigate the digital age to build a supply chain worthy of our times? Or not? I would love to hear your feedback and suggestions. Please leave your comments below or reach me at mark.dancer@n4bi.com.