Bringing AI Down to Earth

Think of AI as the new kid on the block—cool, convenient, and, yes, a bit of a know-it-all but definitely not flawless. Imagine a world where the once untouchable AI titans are no longer considered to be on a sci-fi pedestal, but mingling with us here on terra firma.

Let’s face it, we're all smitten with these shiny new tools. Who doesn't adore the "ask and ye shall receive" vibe of a chat experience? They promise to make our lives a breeze, answering our queries with the wisdom of a thousand sages. However, it's not all rainbows and unicorns. Think of marketing and the AI hype. When hunting for facts, you wouldn’t grab the first piece you find and call it a day, right? The same goes for that legal contract you whipped up using AI. Sure, it looks legit, but would you bet the farm on it without a lawyer giving it the once-over? Yet, strangely, when it comes to marketing, the stakes don't seem as high. So, why the double standard?

Let’s get philosophical about AI's little secret—bias. How did our digital friends get so... human? They learned from us, warts and all. The data they feasted on came with a side of human prejudice; it's our past playing back at us. Picture the 50’s office scene, and you've got AI's training ground. Sure, it's impressive—those wood desks were beautiful, no doubt. But as for humanity? Lost in paperwork. The tricky part is that we're cozy with our 90% accurate AI pals because they're quick and hassle-free. We’re lulled into a false sense of security, but deep down, we know that convenience can come with a cost. We’re creatures of comfort, after all.

It's a no-brainer that AI brings a lot to the table—it helps us with the global lingo and trimming tedious tasks. AI can be an amazing tool, but it can also goof up, and let's not forget, it's about as emotionally savvy as a toaster, which is to say, it's not picking up on those nuanced feels. When you blend human know-how with AI's data-driven insights, you can do great things. But it’s our human touch—our gut instincts, our heartstrings—that turn this data into storytelling gold. Humans are the maestros of meaning, crafting connections and stories that resonate on a soul level. We possess an extraordinary ability to relate and understand one another. So our quick tendency to take shortcuts shouldn’t justify settling for “probably right”, you still have to dig in, do the legwork, and get your hands dirty. So how should marketers coexist with AI?

The smart strategy is the dream team if you ask me. Think of AI as the ultimate sidekick, the Robin to your Batman. A sneak peek trailer that gives us the highlights. But the final cut? That’s human territory. So here’s my game plan for playing fair and square in the digital sandbox. 

Let’s break it down to the basics, how can we tackle the AI bias in Marketing? If you’re looking to charm a pool of customers, you’ve got to make sure your AI isn't playing favourites. First, we have to mix it up, get your hands on a data cocktail as diverse as the New York City subway at rush hour. We’re talking about an eclectic mix that truly represents the scope of your audience. Second, get to know your AI’s inner workings like it’s your BFF. But most importantly, pen down your commandments for ethical AI, we’re taking a pledge of allegiance to fairness, diversity, and respect. 

We should unequivocally embrace AI as a valuable tool in our industry. Its potential is remarkable, and it can significantly enhance our capabilities. However, it should never replace our human insight, creativity, and empathy. It should be used as a first glimpse of understanding what you're looking for. It's imperative not to rely on it overly, and to have a balance, we must ensure that we don't lose grip on reality. So, when you chat with AI, remember to ask the tough questions. Is the intel solid? Who's spilling the beans? Recognize its flair, but don't ignore the flaws. It'll give you answers, but let's not forget to read between the lines.


by Valeria Valdes

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