As someone who’s been around the marketing block a few times (and not afraid to admit it!), I’ve seen it all—from the days of cold calling and mailers to the rise of social media and now, the age of AI. AI is the shiny new toy in our marketing toolkit. It’s smart, it’s fast, and it never needs a bathroom break. But before we hand over the keys to our marketing kingdom, let’s talk about where AI shines and where it needs a little help from us humans.
AI is great at doing the heavy lifting—the kind of stuff that makes most marketers’ eyes glaze over: data crunching, audience segmentation, and even spitting out some starter content ideas.
Imagine having a super-powered assistant who can:
- Break down complex data faster than you can say my last name. 😉
- Whip up content ideas, draft emails or social posts, and optimize web content. (We used AI to help with this article!)
- Answer customer queries instantly with AI chatbots, leaving your team free to tackle the more complex issues—or, you know, finally get to that marketing strategy you’ve been putting off.
- Help your child with their math homework. (Don’t judge me.)
Companies are finding that junior marketers are more likely to have AI skills. A recent study by GetApp found that 71% of marketers from small and medium-sized businesses surveyed said their companies are willing to pay more for interns who have AI experience.
AI is clunky sometimes. In 2019, Chase Bank tried to use it to write its marketing copy. One of the taglines it came up with was, “ACCESS CASH FROM THE EQUITY IN YOUR HOME.” Sure, it’s accurate, but it sounds stiff and awkward.
I might have written:
“Cash in on Your Home’s Equity—It’s Like Finding Money in Your Walls!”
or
“Turn Your Home’s Value into Cash—Make the Most of What You Already Own!”
The takeaway? AI is like the overachieving new hire—smart and efficient but still needs guidance. Use it for data crunching, automation, and insights, but rely on human creativity for messaging, cultural understanding, and big ideas. Embrace AI as a powerful sidekick, not a replacement, because we’re the ones who can still think outside the box—even if that box is now a neural network.