In this episode of Judeslist, I speak with Sabina Podjed about something deceptively simple but deeply psychological: When you create with AI, are you an artist?

Sabina didn’t come from an art background. She studied sociology. Worked in marketing, journalism, sales. In 2023, she “accidentally” entered AI while exploring business opportunities and discovered something unexpected: AI unlocked a form of expression she had always wanted but never claimed.

Sabina speaks candidly about the tension she wrestles with:

•  “Am I an AI artist… or just someone using AI like a slot machine?” 
•  Is art something you declare or something others validate? 
•  Do you need theory and formal training to claim authorship? 
•  If you’ve jumped between careers your whole life, can you truly call yourself anything? 

Her doubt isn’t about skill. It’s about legitimacy.

We Examine:

• Why “artist” feels like a title reserved for the professionally trained
 • The subtle discomfort of claiming identity without credentials
 • How comparison to traditional artists distorts self-perception
 • The difference between generating images and expressing something
 • The role of taste in an era of infinite output
 • Why experimentation not mastery was her entry point

Key Takeaways

• “Artist” may not be a credential, it may be a commitment
 • Experimentation can precede confidence
 • Withholding identity often comes from comparison
 • Taste becomes the differentiator in an AI-saturated world
 • Creative expression doesn’t require permission