AI vs. Real Connection

Last week, we celebrated my son Sebastian graduating high school with a trip to New York. Somewhere between debating pizza vs. bagels, we ended up talking about AI.

Sebastian is a musician, and for him, creativity is sacred — no robots allowed.

Honestly? I get it.

In magic, we’re seeing a very similar debate happening right now. AI is everywhere. From “instant promo flyers” to questionable face-swaps that look like… well… AI. Some people call it “AI slop.” Others see it as the future. Either way, it’s become a conversation we can’t really avoid anymore.

Jamie and I have experimented with AI ourselves. At first, it felt exciting because it was fast and convenient. But the more we used it for creative things like design, the more we realized something important:

It didn’t feel like us.

So we made a decision. We still use AI as a tool to help sharpen ideas, organize thoughts, and improve communication, but when it comes to the heart of what we create — the artwork, branding, and emotional connection behind what we do — we want real human hands involved.

Because supporting artists matters.

And honestly, that realization reminded me a lot about magic itself.

People don’t remember magic because of how “perfect” it looks. They remember how it made them feel. They remember laughing with their friends. They remember the impossible happening in their own hands. They remember connection.

AI can generate images.

But it can’t fake a real reaction.

Now, this isn’t me standing on a stage yelling, “AI bad!” I’m genuinely curious where all of this goes. Technology has always changed entertainment. The question is whether we allow it to enhance human creativity… or slowly replace the humanity behind it.

If you’re using AI in your work, I’d actually love to hear why. If you avoid it completely, I’d love to hear that side too.

Maybe the real magic right now isn’t picking sides.

Maybe it’s listening to each other while we figure this all out together.

-Jonathan Molo

The Man in the Purple Suit