Generative AI as a Co-pilot?

10

October

2025

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My first real use of generative AI was to plan a trivia night for my friends. Not only did ChatGPT save me from hours of work, but it also gave me personalized questions based on the information I gave it. Furthermore, I used it to make a PowerPoint presentation in a jeopardy game show-like format with over 30 slides. It gave me questions with varying difficulty, themes, tones, and styles to keep the game night fun but not too easy. I have also used Dall-E to help a friend design marketing graphics for their bagel start-up. I am not a very artistic person, but this helped curate my ideas into figures. It only took some short prompts and a few seconds, and I was delivered multiple mockups. This made me realise that generative AI tools have helped me do more with less.

The most helpful generative AI tool for me has been NotebookLM. I attach my lecture notes, readings, and personal notes to convert them into podcasts. It is quick, and it helps me review concepts even while commuting. I believe that I learn better while listening than while reading. So, NotebookLM has definitely been my saving grace while studying for exams.

Yet, I wonder whether I am learning or just consuming what the AI tool decides is important. Across these experiences, I have felt both smarter and dependent. I believe that generative AI improves my ideas and productivity, but it also reduces the natural creativity aspect of being human. By this I mean experiences such as brainstorming, reflecting, discovering, writing, etc. I realize the solution is not rejecting AI completely, but rather using it consciously. Hence, I use generative AI tools as my co-pilot, who helps me navigate through the proccess more efficently rather than it being my captain.

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Unbundling vs. Re-bundling: The Next Wave of Digital Entertainment

18

September

2025

5/5 (1)

Netflix and Spotify have changed the way we consume entertainment over the last two decades. Instead of buying numerous CDs for different choices of songs, Spotify allows users to stream an extensive variety of songs under one platform. Spotify’s model allows listeners to instantly explore millions of songs, create personalized playlists, and have the choice to pay for premium features. Similarly, instead of subscribing to an entire cable package to watch a handful of channels, Netflix creates a platform for consumers to binge all their favorite shows and movies under one platform. Netflix’s model offers on-demand access to movies and shows without the inconvenient aspects like physical rentals or cable constraints. 

These approaches worked so well because they addressed these key success factors in technology adoption:

  • Pay only for what you want (Relative Advantage)
  • Simple to use platform
  • Compatible with existing devices
  • Trials through free versions
  • Short-term subscriptions

Consumers saw the value and the quick adoption rates from early adopters to the mainstream audience. Both platforms unbundled the “traditional” package of music and video consumption. These new models delivered flexibility, personalization, choice, and convenience.

However, we are now experiencing how re-bundling can become a problem. With Disney+, HBO Max, Apple TV+, Prime Video, Hulu, and more, consumers often need multiple subscriptions to access all the content they want. Evaluating and choosing between these options, and managing multiple subscription payments has brought back the problems that unbundling initially solved. 

I believe that unbundling was important in the digital transformation of the entertainment industry. However, the next challenge is balancing choice with simplicity. Platforms that can combine personalized recommendations and cross-platform access without forcing consumers to subscribe to multiple services will define the next wave of streaming success. The key question for users is whether unbundled services will continue to deliver value, or whether platforms will evolve to offer smarter, more integrated experiences that make it more convenient to access the content they truly want.

Bibliography:

Fairlie, Mark. “Digital Disrupt: Learning from Netflix.” Business.com, 24 July 2024, www.business.com/articles/digital-disrupt-what-we-can-all-learn-from-the-netflix-model/.

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