Alchemists merge the systematic and strategic planning traits of an Architect with the experimental and perfectionist tendencies of a Baker. They use AI not merely as a tool for constructing projects but as an integral part of a transformative process where creative elements are continuously refined and reimagined. This job type excels in turning the raw potential of AI into finely tuned, perfected outputs, much like alchemists transforming base metals into gold.
Alchemists approach their creative projects with a structured plan like Architects, but they infuse this structure with the experimental spirit of Bakers. They establish a clear framework for AI to operate within, and then methodically explore various modifications and improvements, aiming to optimize both the process and the outcomes. Alchemists will experiment with all of the variables open to them: prompt, model, and hyperparameters. They are less efficient than Architects and looking to write deeper into the story via sequences than a Baker.
While Alchemists set up a comprehensive system for AI deployment, they remain deeply involved in a cycle of creation, assessment, and enhancement. This approach allows them to not just oversee but actively engage in refining AI-generated content to ensure it meets their high standards of quality. They don’t want to fully have AI write the book, they are very keen on evaluating and injecting themselves at certain milestones, or curious to see if another run of the sequence yields a better result.
Alchemists might describe their use of AI with phrases like, "I ran it again," highlighting their dual role as innovators and enhancers. They first figure out a sequence or “recipe” they like, and then run it a number of times. If a Baker perfects each chapter or scene before moving on to the next, the Alchemist perfects a larger swath of story such as an Act or Episode before moving on to the next section. They view themselves as both the strategist and the artisan, carefully crafting and continuously improving their work, but willing to give the AI more headway to craft the story.
Viewing AI as a fundamental collaborator, Alchemists rely on it to execute large parts of their creative vision while they focus on transforming and perfecting the details. They trust in the foundational capabilities of AI but also invest significant effort in elevating the output to artistic excellence.
Alchemists aim to complete projects efficiently but with a meticulous attention to detail that transcends typical project metrics. They are passionate about the creation process itself, striving for a product that is not only functionally complete but also a masterpiece of detail and innovation. However, they are also interested in creating a repeatable process, one they can perform again and again.
Alchemists make complex systems and processes that make little sense to anyone else. They are comfortable with their process being half repeatable and half custom. Their organization for prompts and sequences is ad hoc, mad-scientist. It is a separate activity, and not one they love to do, to try to make sense of what they achieved and how. Where a Conductor (Weaver-Baker) has ruling deadline or project management system in place, the Alchemist has a bunch of iterations and prompts with haphazard notes or comments that make sense to them.
Alchemists are not just users of existing AI tools but are also developers of new methodologies to leverage AI in more effective ways. They constantly experiment with and refine these systems, pushing the boundaries of what AI can achieve in creative contexts. They dream up entirely new ways to prompt and sequence AI, inspired that if they want to, they can create a new process for each project.
Overall, the Alchemist author type is plotting further ahead than the Baker alone, and snatching the project away from AI more often than the Architect. They are not quite comfortable with AI writing the whole book in one go.