Artificial Intelligence (AI) is everywhere, from medical offices to our homes. While some AI misuse leads to trepidation, many AI tools can be extremely helpful for busy communicators. The next time you need a set of social media posts, a title for an article or a brainstorming partner, turn to AI for assistance.
What AI is NOT
The most important thing to remember about AI tools: They are not search engines. AI can be a creative partner, but it is not a research assistant. AI will fill gaps in its knowledge with inaccurate information. Continue to use your trusted research sources for that aspect of your work.
AI learns from humans as we interact with it, making it a tool, not a replacement. Communicator and AI expert the Rev. James Lee describes AI’s abilities as equal to an intern on their first day. That person will not be taking your job, but they can be a big help if guided properly.
Five tips for AI prompts
We guide AI by giving it well-crafted, thoughtful prompts (the requests we provide AI tools stating what we need). The better our prompt, the better the response from AI’s near-endless “pile” of source material. Here are some key things to remember when you are writing a prompt for an AI tool:
1. Be specific: The more detail and parameters you use in your prompt, the more helpful your response will be.
2. Ask, reword, ask, reword: If you don’t like the response you are receiving from an AI tool, don’t give up. Refine your prompt by adding descriptive direction and guidance.
3. Request additional responses: The regenerate feature prompts AI tools to provide more responses. Whether you like the first set of responses or not, asking for more options expands selections for your review.
4. Use more than one tool: Visiting more than one AI tool with the same prompt will give you an assortment of responses to consider.
5. Include your target audience: Adding your target audience to your prompt will narrow the response you receive so that it is more tailored to your needs.
For example, here is a prompt that I have used: “Suggest unexpected article ideas related to the topic of resilience for an adult, Christian audience.” The ChatGPT response included 15 article titles with themes ranging from prayer to emotional toughness to testimonials. The list could easily inspire someone struggling with writer’s block as they search for ideas.
Ask AI to be an editor
Communications teams are often small and nimble. I do not suggest asking AI to write articles, but I do see a lot of benefits in using AI as an editor and proofreader. Copy and paste your feature article, social media post copy or video script and request feedback, asking AI tools to:
· “Make this more concise”
· “Make this better”
· “Find proofreading errors”
· “Suggest subheads and a title”
· “Write an engaging summary”
Even if you don’t incorporate all of the suggestions that AI offers, considering its feedback can push you to a final draft.
Get the best responses
The wide variety of AI tools available can be overwhelming. While you can use a general tool, such as ChatGPT or Gemini, you will get the best results from a tool that fits your project. Take time to research the options. There are tools for image and video generation, audio transcription and cleanup, graphic design, writing, marketing assistance, time management and more.
Using several complementary tools for one project can also help. I recently used one AI tool to transcribe a Korean-language video. Then, I used another tool to translate the transcription into English so that I could find key soundbites. Then the video editor used yet another tool to clear background noise from the recordings. All of these tools saved us a lot of time and money!
Having access to AI can be liberating for those who lack a technical skill to bring their vision into reality. In a MyCOM podcast interview, Lee said, “[AI] ultimately democratizes access to skills and knowledge... If you have a really good idea, there’s a lot less holding you back from producing something that will be an added benefit to the world.”
Laura Buchanan is a member of the Denominational Content Strategy Team at United Methodist Communications, where she develops content for UMC.org and ResourceUMC.org. She’s had extensive experience in writing, video production, strategic messaging, public relations, fundraising and event planning. Laura is a lifelong United Methodist and a local church leader. She resides in Nashville, Tennessee, with her husband and daughter.