I have an unusual and controversial principle when using artificial intelligence to help with content creation. But I swear by it…
I know many people use artificial intelligence to get ideas…
To brainstorm…
To set them off on a content creation journey…
Some even (sadly) use AI to do all the work for them.
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I understand the temptation. And I do use artificial intelligence myself.
But!
This is where my unorthodox and controversial rule comes in:
- I never use AI as a starting point.
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Why? Essentially, because I treasure human creativity too much.
When faced with a challenge, be it writing a lecture course, a book, even a blog…
I begin with what I find in my head and my heart.
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Here’s an example with an experiment:
I needed to find a fresh beginning for a workshop on communication skills.
This is what AI, in the form of ChatGPT, suggested when I asked...
Write the first line of a presentation on the importance of communication skills:
- Effective communication is the cornerstone of success in any field — it's not just about speaking, but about connecting, persuading, and inspiring action in a world that thrives on collaboration.
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I didn't much like that. It felt vague. So I refined the prompt...
Write the first line of a presentation on the importance of communication skills, with an example of their importance:
- Imagine you're in a meeting with a brilliant idea that could transform your team's project, but if you can't communicate it clearly, that idea might never see the light of day — this is the power of communication skills, the very lifeblood of turning thoughts into impact.
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I didn't fancy that either. It was better, but still lacked a spark. So I redid the prompt again...
Write the first line of a presentation on the importance of communication skills, with an example of their importance, using a rhetorical technique to engage the audience:
- Picture this: you've got a great idea that could revolutionize your business, but what if no one understands it? Without clear communication, even the best ideas are doomed to fail. That’s why mastering this skill is not just useful, it’s essential.
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That was better again, and might have been ok. But only MIGHT, and only OK.
I still didn't think it felt like me. It lacked that sparkle of self.
It wouldn't engage the audience from the start and make it clear this would be an energetic, interactive and entertaining session, as I always try to ensure.
Fortunately, I had already pretty much decided how to begin the session, courtesy of my own creativity:
- You know communication skills are important. That’s why you’re here. But what you’re not expecting is that, over the next hour, we’re going to junk all you thought you knew about communication because I bet you it’s wrong.
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What do you think? I hope you agree that feels much fresher, more original, more engaging.
It certainly worked. When I delivered the line in the lecture, I could see the audience sit up, take notice and engage from the outset.
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Which brings us back to the point of this post.
AI can do ok, acceptable, adequate.
YOU can do distinctive, different, memorable.
Only you can add the human touch of experience and emotion, which is so important in making a connection with communication.
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Even if you just use artificial intelligence for ideas…
By beginning the creative process relying on it, you can colour your judgement.
Which raises the risk of excluding your own, lovely, original thoughts.
And those are the ones which really matter.
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So, by all means use AI to help with suggesting structures, doing research, making sure your content is comprehensive, rooting out any hard to understand jargon, offering suggestions, checking your punctuation and grammar is up to scratch, and much more.
But! Don’t rely on it as your starting point:
As my Unorthodox Rule for AI Content Creation dictates.
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For true human communication…
Which makes a connection, impresses, influences and inspires...
That begins in the human head and heart.