Curators Future in the Age of AI and Automation - CM #23
What will happen to human curators when research, data input, organization and presentation will all be automated or delegated to AI?
As I was writing the last issue of Good Tools, dedicated to automation tools, I realized, more than ever before, how soon there’s going to be a time when AI and automation tools, will be able to research, organize, add value and put together a fully curated catalog or directory on just about any topic one can think of.
We are not yet there, but that time is rapidly approaching.
What will happen then?
What will a niche curator or a subject-matter expert do, when he/she can delegate all of his curation work to a set of digital agents?
This is what I am analyzing in this issue editorial.
I don’t have revolutionary discoveries but, I feel that if I keep on asking this question long enough, I will start to understand better what is about to happen.
P.S.: Right after my editorial, find a new set of data-verified business opportunities for curation as well as a new three real-world examples of online projects that already monetize by organizing existing information.
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Enjoy your reading.
Robin Good
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100 Real-World Examples of Online Projects that Generate Profits by Organizing Existing Info
The Curation Monetized *Database Catalog* 2024
Premium database of 100 real-world examples of curation monetized businesses containing:
100+ Real Businesses that make a profit
by curating and organizing existing infoBusiness model(s) used
Publishing/payment platforms used
Direct contacts
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Top Curated Business Models and Opportunities
Top Key Trends in Curation Monetized
Pricing:
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Curation Monetized #23
In this issue:
The Evolving Role of the Human Curator in an Automated World
Data-Verified Curation-Based Business Opportunities (2)
Real-World Examples of Curation Monetized (1)
for Premium subscribers only:
♛ Data-Verified Curation-Based Business Opportunities (3)
♛ Real-World Examples of Curation Monetized (2)
The Evolving Role of the Human Curator in an Automated World
The traditional tasks of a curator - collecting, organizing, and maintaining a body of information or artifacts - are increasingly being taken over by smart algorithms and intelligent software.
Inside issue #22 of Good Tools I have reported the emergence of new tools like Jsonify, which can have its automated agents go out, search, and extract information from anywhere it is stored and then come back to update your database.
Thus we can expect that very soon many of the curator key activities (maintenance and updating) will be replaced by AI and automated agents.
In such a context, with automation and AI continuous advance, one can rightly wonder - what will become of the human curator?
With the ability to rapidly aggregate, analyze, and update digital content, one could argue that curation is becoming a task better suited for machines than humans.
However, the true value of human curation goes far beyond just the mechanics of collecting and organizing.
The most skilled curators bring unique perspective, deep expertise, and a discerning eye that AI doesn’t have for now.
Consider the key roles a human curator can still play, even in an automated world:
- Defining the criteria and parameters for what gets included in a collection
- Providing thoughtful analysis, context, and interpretation of the collected materials
- Identifying unexpected connections and patterns that reveal deeper insights
- Promoting the collection in an authentic, compelling way to the right audience
These higher-level curatorial functions require the type of nuanced judgment, creative vision, and empathic understanding that AI has yet to master.
A human curator's ability to see the bigger picture, synthesize disparate information, and deliver a cohesive, compelling narrative is what for now remains invaluable.
But given the speed of tech innovation we are witnessing, in the near future, even most of these tasks could be automated as well. It seems inevitable.
Things may evolve so much that at a certain point, AI may decide, if allowed, what to curate, collect, organize, add value to and then promote, share and monetize.
Given such scenario, it’s likely that the most effective curators of the future will be those who learn to harness the power of automation and AI to augment their own abilities.
By automating the more mundane, repetitive tasks, curators can free up time and mental energy to focus on the truly human elements of curation.
Trust
As AI systems become more capable of autonomously curating content, collections, and experiences, the question of who or what consumers choose to trust will be crucial.
When faced with a variety of curated options - some created by humans, some by AI, and some by a blend of the two - what will make consumers gravitate towards one over another?
The answer may lie in the perceived trustworthiness of the curator.
When it comes to knowing more about x, who do I want to trust? A human or an AI-assisted one?
Human curators, with their demonstrated expertise, reputations, and personal perspectives, may have an advantage in this regard.
We are hardwired to place a higher degree of trust in curation that bears the distinct imprint of an individual we can relate to and feel a connection with.
AI-driven curation, no matter how sophisticated, may struggle to cultivate that same sense of human authenticity and accountability.
At the same time, AI-assisted curation could potentially earn our trust through its ability to consistently deliver high-quality, personalized recommendations that prove their value over time.
If an AI curator can demonstrate a track record of making insightful, trustworthy selections tailored to our unique tastes and needs, it may be able to overcome any initial skepticism.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the role of the human curator may evolve, but in my view, it is unlikely that it will be replaced entirely.
In fact, I anticipate that the true value of the human curator will become more valuable than ever before.
Curators who will most likely succeed and thrive will be those who will learn to efficiently adopt AI and automation while maintaining a unique voice, perspective and *specific* competence that, as of now, only humans can provide.
AI and automation will relieve them of unnecessary burdens and tedious tasks, while freeing and augmenting their ability to see, imagine, and make-sense of things.
Curators will become top trusted guides. Top recommenders. The real influencers.
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Robin Good
Data-Verified Curation-Based Business Opportunities (2)
In this section find curation-based niche business opportunity ideas validated by data. Selection criteria are: min 500 monthly searches and keyword difficulty below 20.
1) Artificial Intelligence Speakers
Description: List of qualified AI experts available to speak at events.
Data-Verified Niche Opportunity:
Monetizable via:
Pay to be featured
Pay to be included
Sponsors
Pay to access full catalog and contact info
2) Alternatives for Dropbox
Description:
Catalog of tools and apps that can host files in the cloud.
Data-Verified Niche Opportunity:
Monetizable via:
Paid to be featured
Sponsorship
Affiliate links
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Find three more data-driven curated business opportunities in the *Premium Section* of this issue
Curation Monetized Real-World Examples (1)
Directory of Tools for Startups and Entrepreneurs
StartupStash
Library of tools and resources organized across many categories useful to new online businesses.
Niche
Problem it solves: Finding alternative tools and apps for a startup.
Audience: Startup founders, indie entrepreneurs.
Tech
Wordpress
Business
Business Model: Advertising, Sponsorship.
Price: N/A
Sold via: Website
Author(s)
Bram Kanstein
Curator’s Job: Find, test, review, collect and organize tools, resources and apps that can be useful to startups and indie entrepreneurs.
Key Insights and Opportunities:
Insights:
"SS includes over 1000 tools in more than 100 categories, such as Idea Generation, Early users, Marketing, Raising Capital and Customer support. Each category consists handpicked resources and tools, all with their own detailed page that displays some info about the product." (from SS LinkedIN page).
Publishes many articles on Medium on entrepreneurial stories, insights, and ideas to help startups grow. Written the contribution of a large list of experts. Accepts contributions. More info.
Opportunities:
Niche down to specific verticals: e.g.: tools and resources for social media managers or for research and analysis.
Write in-depth reviews, structuring information in a more effective way. Increase trust by having a) signed reviews b) reviews/votes from users c) providing usage and other relevant stats for each resource.
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Find two more real-world examples of monetized curation in the *Premium section* of this issue
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In the *Premium Section*:
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