Candace Bushnell says originality still wins in the age of AI

Candace Bushnell, the creator of Sex and the City, has built a career on the power of authentic creative voice. Her column, which began in The New York Observer in 1994, grew into a cultural phenomenon that reshaped how women discuss their lives and choices. In a recent interview, Bushnell reflected on her creative process, the transition of her work to television, and the enduring value of human originality in an era of artificial intelligence.

Bushnell started writing at age 19, always focusing on her world in New York and the women around her. She has often been called a brand, but she rejects that label, insisting that she is not an inanimate object. Instead, she dedicates her time to creating something that, even with AI, only a human can truly do: writing. She believes that the success of any work ultimately depends on whether it contains something original and true, and that this authentic creative process is inherently human.

When Sex and the City moved from print to television, Bushnell was part of the writing team for the first two seasons. However, a $1 million book deal then led her to focus on writing two books, which she describes as a significant career shift. Her creative process, she says, is simple: you just have to sit down and do it. She does not think in terms of reinventing oneself; rather, she emphasizes inventing yourself, a message she shares in her one-woman show. The show, which she created during the pandemic, came about after someone suggested she could do it. It was an exciting experience because it was different from her usual work, yet not entirely foreign. She finds performing on stage easier than writing a book, a paradox that surprises many people.

Bushnell also notes that younger women today face very different experiences, and she sees the evolution of those experiences reflected in her interactions. She remains active in New York and continues to create opportunities, demonstrating that her creative drive and belief in human authenticity remain as strong as ever.