AI – The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

When I was at school, my only sources of information were the books in the library and the teachers in the classroom. Challenging ideas or finding evidence wasn’t easy.

Fast-forward 30-plus years, and the world has changed dramatically. Search engines like Google have transformed the way we look for information. But let’s be honest, searching can still be frustrating. It’s easy to get lost down endless rabbit holes.

Now, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is taking things to another level. Many people are excited, others are fearful, and for good reason. My job is content-driven, and in theory, AI can do much of what I do. Interestingly, I’ve found that the more you work with it, the stronger its output becomes.

So, should we avoid it out of pride, or embrace it? For me, the answer is clear.

Why I Use AI

As a self-employed consultant, I have no team to share the workload. AI has become an invaluable tool, starting with simple things like grammar and spelling checks, worth their weight in gold when you work alone.

Over time, I’ve discovered many other ways it can add value:

1. Writing Frameworks – Not Finished Pieces

I believe in storytelling, so my blogs and papers often include something personal. But sometimes, I need a starting structure. AI can create a framework, headings, bullet points, or logical flow, without replacing my own voice. That distinction is important.

2. SEO Support

Search Engine Optimisation has always felt like a “dark art” to me. There are plug-ins that check whether a page is optimised and explain why it isn’t. Feeding that feedback into AI helps me rewrite text in a way that improves my chances of being found online, without losing the meaning.

3. Setting Parameters

If you’re working on a specific subject, you can give AI clear parameters, tone, audience, word count, and it can tailor suggestions accordingly. This is especially useful for keeping your content consistent.

4. Faster Research and References

Finding credible references on Google can take ages. In AI, it can take seconds, often with relevant links included. You can even upload documents and ask questions about their contents, saving huge amounts of time.

The Bottom Line

AI saves time and helps refine content, but it still needs human input. It’s only as good as the data you give it, and it needs human judgment to check accuracy and tone.

Used wisely, AI can be a powerful ally for small businesses and solo professionals. It’s not here to replace your voice, it’s here to help you amplify it.