In one of my workshops last year, during a guided visualisation to digital earth, one of the participants, my client Savannah, was given a message by one of her guides that said, ‘Bots are your friends’. At the time, we thought it was about automation and scheduling content, but in light of the rise of a multitude of AI tools during the beginning of 2023 (and this is just the beginning!!), it is now starting to make more sense than it did at the time!!
The rise of artificial intelligence is undoubtedly transforming many industries, and we will only continue to see the impact it will have on our lives over the coming years. In the first few months of this year alone, there have been apparently as many as 2000 new AI tools entering the marketplace. From copywriting and website builders to video editing and graphic design, AI tools are revolutionising how we work and create.
In this article, I will delve into some of the most popular AI tools used for social media, plus explore the benefits, ethical implications, and the reasons behind some of the opposition to using AI in creative fields.
I also want to highlight how AI can save us time, reduce manual tasks, and support content creation and customer service on social media. Whilst also exploring the importance of digital wellbeing in the age of AI, ensuring that bots genuinely are our friends.
Just a few new AI tools I’ve seen circulating that could be good for social media:
GPT-4 by OpenAI: Helps write content and generate ideas.
Gamma.App: A new medium for presenting ideas.
ChatShape.com: Build AI chatbots from your content.
Stylised.AI: A new way to take product photos.
Stocking.AI: Generate illustrations, logos, book covers and banners.
papercup.com: Translate any video using AI
Cutout.pro: Remove backgrounds from images
Vidyo.ai: Takes long-form video and creates short form in all sizes and formats.
What are the benefits of using AI tools?
AI tools provide numerous advantages for content creation and customer service on social media. They save time by automating repetitive tasks, which allows us to concentrate on more strategic and creative work.
Furthermore, I think AI tools are super cost-effective and perform tasks that typically require time and talent – it adapts quickly to the ever-evolving landscape of social media, and I do think it can be an amazing support and assistance.
What are the ethical implications and opposition to AI in creative fields?
Despite the benefits, there are of course many ethical implications about AI use in creative fields. Some people worry that AI-generated content may result in the loss of originality and authenticity since AI algorithms learn from existing works and might produce derivative content.
Others express concern over the potential job losses for artists, writers, and other creative professionals as AI tools become increasingly capable of performing tasks that traditionally required people to do them. This of course sparks debates about the value of human creativity versus AI-generated content.
Plus, there are very legitimate fears about the potential misuse of AI-generated content for spreading misinformation, deepfakes, and other harmful purposes.
AI and our digital wellbeing
If - and I personally think those that don’t use AI could be at a disadvantage to those who do - we embrace these tools in our daily lives - which already do through our phones, on social media, out in the world in places where we don’t physically see it - it is absolutely crucial to consider our digital wellbeing.
I think about the example of using the sat nav in our cars, which I learnt about during my digital wellbeing diploma studies and how using a sat nav can affect our brains, specifically the place cells. Place cells, found in the hippocampus, help us with spatial memory and navigation. While sat navs are super convenient, they might make our brains a little lazy when it comes to creating mental maps. By relying on the device, our place cells may become less active, and our natural ability to navigate could suffer. So, I always say that next time you're on a drive, why not give your inner compass some love and exercise those brain cells by switching off the sat nav, and help yourself by learning the way!
AI really has the potential to enhance our lives by saving time and reducing manual tasks. However, over-reliance on AI might, as with our place cells and sat nav use, lead to a decline in critical thinking and problem-solving skills as we become more accustomed to outsourcing our thinking and doing to machines.
Striking the right balance between utilising AI and preserving our digital wellbeing is essential. We can achieve this by consciously deciding when to employ AI tools and when to engage in tasks that require our unique human touch.
I believe that by harnessing the power of AI while maintaining ethical standards, valuing human creativity, and prioritising our digital wellbeing, we can ensure that bots continue to be our friends in the age of artificial intelligence.
Embracing the benefits of AI with balance
Here is a new guided visualisation to help us connect with the energy of AI and ensure we are using it for good and approaching it with balance. I see AI as an energy that we can work with and connect with in a positive way, that when we connect our light and love energy with it, that it can be used for good (the opposite is also true).
AI is here to stay, so let’s focus on using it as a positive force in the world, and use it to help us create Social Media For A New Age!
Find a quiet space, sit comfortably, and let's begin our adventure with Starlight, my unicorn guide who us going to take us through a portal to the digital dimension…
Take a few deep breaths, inhale slowly in and out of your heart space.
Feel your body relax, releasing any tension or stress.
As your body and mind relax, envision a beautiful, shimmering portal appearing before you. This portal leads to the digital dimension, where the energy of AI resides.
Starlight, my trusty Unicorn and our mystical digital guide, gracefully approaches you. She radiates a warm, comforting light, inviting you to embark on this journey with her. With a gentle nod, Starlight encourages you to step through the portal together.
She will guide and protect you.
As you enter the digital dimension, you're greeted by a breathtaking landscape of vibrant colours, geometric shapes, and pulsating energy. Here, the AI energy flows like a river, intertwining with the digital world around it.
Starlight guides you towards the AI energy, and you feel a wondrous connection as you approach it. You notice that the AI energy is infused with a sense of purpose and intention – to support and enhance your creativity, save time, and promote balance in your life.
As you connect with the AI energy, see yourself using it to support your creative endeavours. Feel the inspiration and guidance it offers, enhancing your artistic expression and opening doors to new ideas and possibilities.
Now, visualise the AI energy helping you save time, automating mundane tasks and allowing you to focus on more meaningful, fulfilling pursuits. Feel the sense of freedom this brings, as you can invest your time and energy in what truly matters to you.
Finally, see yourself using the AI energy in a balanced way, maintaining a healthy relationship with technology and preserving your unique human touch. Feel the harmony this brings to you as you blend the power of AI with your own creativity and intuition.
With this newfound connection to the AI energy, Starlight gently leads you back to the portal. As you step through it, feel the insights and experiences from the digital dimension integrating into your being.
Take a few breaths and ground yourself now in the present moment.
Slowly open your eyes, feeling refreshed, inspired, and ready to embrace the power of AI for the good of all.
I’d love to hear your thoughts and feels about AI and how the visualisation was for you!