Today, you’re getting a 100% human-written article. Why? Because a couple of recent conversations highlighted its importance.
Ultimately, I’m still a human writer. I just happened to stumble into the AI space.
While I’m loving this journey, I want to make it clear that I still go through moments where I question myself.
Am I being lazy by asking ChatGPT to help me with that?
Am I still practicing what I preach and ‘keeping it human’ by using the full potential of my human brain – or am I starting to over-rely on AI support?
And, while ‘AI-Human Fusion’ was 95% written by myself and human contributors and all my LinkedIn posts are written by me, am I still maintaining my strong writing skills by asking AI for the first draft?
My position in the world as an ‘experienced copywriter meets AI expert’ is ever evolving. You should also be constantly reflecting upon AI’s place in your world. I think it’s key for all of us to pause and reflect from time to time to ensure we are being our best possible human selves.
And not falling into the productivity trap just because AI is there for the taking.
I’m fine with repurposing, not replacing
Back in my content marketing business, I was all about the repurposing of content. In other words – writing an article, then turning it into an email, social media posts, and even a webinar script. You know, using the same core concept and re-sharing it in multiple ways to push it out further.
Upon reflection, the majority of my AI usage these days is simply a form of repurposing. While I’ve trained ChatGPT on my workshops, keynotes, and manuscript as part of its ‘onboarding’ process, I also continually re-share bits and pieces when drafting content to ensure it’s referring to certain sources.
So when that first draft is pumped out, along with my super clear prompts, it’s basically just regurgitating MY own thoughts. It ‘knows’ my brand voice. It ‘knows’ my business. It ‘knows’ my audience. As a result, it’s basically giving more of me, just repurposed.
I then challenge the bot further. Change the content. And make improvements.
I think that’s healthy usage. On the other hand, constantly asking it for ideas probably isn’t…
An eye-opening article
Just the other day, Rachel Klaver shared an article with me called ‘What happened to my brain when I “broke up” from AI’. As a fellow ADHD business owner, Rachel has embraced AI as a helpful addition in her world.
However, she admits to also being “a heavy user of it over the last few years” – using it “extensively during marketing strategies and coaching sessions”. So she’s recently realised she needs to ‘reset her boundaries’ with AI.
Too many corners were being cut when writing. AI was doing all her planning. And she was losing herself in the writing process.
Her article made me realise something. I can so easily see that happening to me too.
When chatting with my colleague recently about a simple problem to solve, I found myself saying “Oh I’ll just ask ChatGPT”.
And he looked at me questioningly “Do you really need AI for that?”
Oh. Right. No, I don’t really. I’m an intellectual woman. I’m an entrepreneur. I’m very good at strategic thinking, brainstorming, and trusting my gut instincts. So why am I falling into the trap that I tell so many of my students and audiences to avoid?
It made me realise that, just like Rachel, I need to reassess my own boundaries with AI. Maybe write up my own ‘Dos’ and ‘Don’ts’ and kick off the process of getting a formal AI Policy into place. (I say this is absolutely key for the big companies, but I think us little guys need it too…).
Yep, two and a half years into my AI journey, I think it’s time.
I want to keep my brain active
The other day, I was part of a brainstorming activity for a potential collaboration. We were chatting away and coming up with some gold nuggets.
Well, I thought we, the humans, were. But after hearing one particularly inspiring idea from another person – and me acknowledging how well it would work – she admitted (in a way that was somehow both enthusiastic and guilty) “Yeah, ChatGPT actually came up with that one”.
My heart sank. I was kinda enjoying the human creative and critical thinking process. And hearing that AI had come up with this awesome idea suddenly made it less valuable.
Then I realised how contradictory I was being. Hadn’t I just been talking about AI helping me out with ideas just the day before? And I was totally cool with it then… but change the scenario and change the person and it’s completely different?
Now THAT made me pause and think…and it’s why I knew I had to write this article by myself.
We need to be conscious of our thoughts
While writing this self-reflective piece, occasionally a fleeting thought would enter my mind – I could just ask ChatGPT to…insert article-related task here.
Even though I knew I wanted to write all of this article myself.
Each time, I quickly and consciously shoved the thought aside. No, Leanne. YOU are writing this one.
And I did. And it’s a halfway decent article too. Ohhh…that’s right. I’m a WRITER! Of course I can do this…How did I forget or doubt myself…?
How can you learn from me?
Today, I want you to observe how AI pops up in your day-to-day world. And how you feel about it.
Are you jumping onto ChatGPT just because you have easy access? Could you actually, with 30 minutes of allocated time (or more or less!) do it yourself with your human brain?
And are you truly collaborating with the tool? Or just telling yourself you are because you’ve made a few small edits?
If you’ve found yourself over-relying on AI, that’s okay. At least you are recognising it now. Not 12 months’ down the track when you start to wonder why you’ve suddenly become bored in your role and you’re walking around in a constant brain fog.
Today, I challenge you to complete one task that you’ve started to (perhaps unnecessarily) rely on AI for. And see how you go.
Let’s remember to keep it human. And keep your human perspective intact.
Because ultimately – why would we want anything else?
Leanne xo
