CHATGPT PR: NOT JUST IDLE CHAT TER
How I Prove Bots Don’t Get Us
BY ALAN GOLDFARB
May 8, 2023
When I was born, I think a came out a doubter. That’s why I believe being a world-class skeptic -- as I trust in my bones -- the faith in that emotion has made me a good journalist.
But, I’ve had to work through my incredulity to be a good PR flack. Because, as in the latter, it’s positive to be positive.
The opening paragraph admittedly, is purposely fraught with oxymoronic words. But hopefully, it will display the manner in which I write – which is to try to be humorous in my approach to writing about serious subjects. It’s an illusion of pulling a punch.
Which, without doubt, will prove my point that artificial intelligence can’t/won’t,100% get it right – and that there’s nothing to fear (as I shake in my galoshes.
Before I show you proof that AI won’t work, I want to tell you what got me to write about this subject in the first place, was that I was provoked by an email sent by a really smart guy, Michael Smart, a PR coach, who wrote this (at least I think it was him):
“Seven letters are the reason I am more excited to be in PR than at any time in my 24-year career:
C-h-a-t-G-P-T.
“PR pros are cutting out 90 percent of their busy work and getting better results way faster than they did three months ago. If hearing “AI-assisted PR” sounds scary to you, look at this way: ultimately, your success in this business boils down to:
A) More and better concrete PR results
B) More confidence in yourself and the results you’re getting. …”
The lovely Smart ended his missive with a happy face thingy and: “I guarantee everything I’ve said in this email 100 percent.” Apparently as an affirmation to his constituents.
Which is where we’ve come to: Disclaimers will have to follow each and every written word to prove we are not robots, which are trying to fudge us up.
So to my point: You, my dear, lovely humans – will know it’s me and not some synthetic version of me – when I write you a PR pitch or when I post a blog here. To wit: I, like so many others before me in a confessed vainglorious attempt to see if the bot even knows who the hell I am, I wrote a message to the bot (Mr. Bot) requesting him/her/they to write a skeptical article in my voice about you, Botboy. Here’s how gobshite-for-brains wrote ”my” lede – in two minutes:
“As a writer who has long observed the world of wine, I cannot help but approach the topic of AI with a healthy dose of skepticism. While there are certainly those who tout the wonders of artificial intelligence and its potential to revolutionize various industries, including the wine industry, I am not so easily convinced.”
Wow! The Thing got the essence of what I was going to write – before I even wrote it – but it didn’t get my style, my humor, or my sardonic manner (see above). Wow also, it knows who the heck I am.
But here’s how Flotsam and Botsam ended my essay:
“As wine writer Alan Goldfarb, I urge caution and skepticism in our approach to AI, and a continued appreciation for the intuitive knowledge and experience of the human winemakers and tasters who have made this ancient art form so enduringly compelling.”
Indeed. But that was not the journalism of me. Too intellectual. Too affected. Too too.
In conclusion: Pay attention. Pay very close attention to what AI will beget. And hopefully --not unlike how long it took for critical mass to reach the masses re: Climate Change -- get to know AI writers. NOW!. Get to know the style that it purports to convey as a human writer might. Don’t be afraid. But be damned vigilant.
Addendum: I’ll tell you what my mother’s maiden name is if you want me to prove it’s me. And Go GP – GP2, that is.