AI is not the Terminator, you can chill now
It’s interesting to note that after ChatGPT became mainstream, AI took on a completely new appearance. However, the breaking news is that it has been around for quite some time now, yet nobody was alarmed by dystopian visions of machines taking over.
Siri, Alexa, Gmail, and Spotify are just a few examples of technologies that likely exist in our daily lives, each offering its unique form of robotic intelligence to enhance various aspects of our routines, communication, entertainment, and operations.
But what changed this time?
Well, there are plenty of reasons actually. But I’ll stick with what I know, which is the content creation environment.
When ChatGPT rose to fame in February 2023, there wasn’t a pre-existing shared knowledge base about it, or at least not widespread enough for the industry to take notice. Due to the lack of awareness, combined with our inherent instinct for self-preservation, it was quickly labeled as a threat.
Another contributing factor to the spread of misinformation was the increased focus on data privacy and information security.
Content creators have legal guidelines to follow when creating web articles or other types of content. And if you don’t already know, creating original content in the midst of endless Google search results is no easy feat.
Then, suddenly, this platform emerges that operates via simple prompts, generating content on any topic and any size without revealing its information source.
Follow up the math:
Simple content creation, about any topic and any size
+ Assuming it follows the legislation we currently work under
+ Worldwide use as if it was The Definite content creator
= The end is near and I’ll sure lose my job very shortly
Trust me, I understand how you feel. I’ve been in your shoes before. But let me reassure you, there’s no need to worry. AI tools are here to assist us, not to replace us.
How to use AI in content creation
Allow me to share my personal experience with you. I began using AI tools as a way to boost my creativity in content creation. Have you ever found yourself needing that initial spark to get started or that missing link to connect your ideas? That’s precisely when AI tools can come in handy.
Tools like ChatGPT, Firefly, and Synthesia are not the ends but merely the means to an end. As content creators, we are the driving force behind our work. Our own unique creative expression, past experiences, and emotions are irreplaceable and cannot be duplicated by any tool or technology.
Now that you know AI’s place on Earth, let me now guide you on how to harness its potential to enhance your content creation process.
Even the most seasoned content creators run up against the dreaded blank page sometimes. Seriously, there are days where I open a blank doc and stare at that flashing cursor like it personally offended me. Having an interactive, non-judgmental AI to toss ideas around with can actually loosen that mental knot. (All right, it doesn’t care about your coffee breath either.)
But it’s not just about overcoming creative blocks. The speed and versatility of these tools open up quick iterations that would have taken hours before. If I’m wrestling with a tricky paragraph or need a short listicle to fill space, ChatGPT can spit out five variations in less than a minute. Sure, the suggestions aren’t always gold—sometimes they’re hilariously off—but sorting through that initial pile often sparks something genuinely useful. The real trick is treating AI as a springboard, not a crutch.
Generating ideas
I really love using AI to jumpstart my content creation process. It provides me with a range of options to consider and explore. For example, if I’m working on a piece about “things that content creators fear about AI”, I can ask ChatGPT to generate a list of potential ideas.
After reviewing the options and ensuring they align with the main theme of my piece, I can Google them to find related articles and to benchmark.
Will I use them as a literal outcome of what I’m creating? Absolutely not. They lack my unique voice, my company’s writing guidelines, and the specific learning hooks I want to deliver with my final article. But they definitely ignite some ideas in my mind about what truly matters to me.
Writing copy
Creating written content is rarely straightforward or easy in the sense that once we finish the article, the entire process is done. This is especially true for online content, where we must also consider writing meta descriptions, social media posts, emails, and various other components to support the content.
So… Why not make use of AI to simplify the process? Since you already have the overall picture, use AI to extract the smaller components.
Request ChatGPT to generate email subjects that you can use to advertise the article. Add some flavor by specifying the desired tone of voice or the target audience persona so that the subject can establish a connection.
“Prioritize emotions over logic, but be distinctive”, says Giuseppe Caltabiano, on the State of Marketing Report 2023. I keep that quote very close to me. Even though AI lacks the ability to be emotional, I don’t! Why not request a pun for my email subject and then customize it to fit our style then?
Summarizing texts
If you’re too overwhelmed to summarize your article or create an effective pitch, use AI to get started! It can be a lot easier to visualize the starting point than spending hours trying to come up with something you like. Just take your text, input it into an AI tool, and let it do the work for you.
There are plenty of simple prompts that you can copy and paste to not only summarize your text but also optimize, research, and review it. Chapter 3 of this interactive ebook about AI provides some excellent resources that you can use to help yourself.
Remember: The letter A stands for Artificial, not Human
The value of machine learning is often overemphasized while the significance of our human intelligence is overlooked. As a Content Creator, you are the driving force behind this engine.
Therefore, it’s crucial to concentrate on readjusting the process. AI tools should be utilized as facilitators to discover new ideas, stimulate creativity, foster quick thinking, and solve minor issues.
AI is here to stay, just like you are.
