BMS Policies For AI

I believe transparency is key to a productive start of any working relationship, so here is an overview of my policies regarding AI usage for marketing content.

AI is getting increasingly more astute, acceptable, and accessible.

Personally, I tend to be in the middle of the road when it comes to the "right vs. wrong" debate. I think AI has advantages and disadvantages simultaneously, just like any advancement in technology. We need to be aware of both, wary of the downsides, but also not be so intimidated we discount it altogether and potentially miss out on beneficial opportunities for appropriate usage.

When it comes to my business policy, I believe there are times AI can be worth using, but if used, it is crucial and non-negotiable to make the content labeled as such.

A practical example would be when I may use AI generators (like ChatGPT) to brainstorm design ideas or remove/edit the background of a photo, such as this example for my client Shawn. I would then be honest with the client about this usage for research or minor editing purposes.

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Example of a client-requested photo edit using AI.

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If AI were to be used in the generation of a specific graphic/photo to be shared on a client's social media or website, there would be a disclaimer labeling as such in the caption.

However, I do not believe it is appropriate to use AI to generate all graphics every time. This takes away from the unique human touch and eliminates the design experience of creators.

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It is also important to note how AI is becoming more challenging to define as it becomes ever more involved in the programs we already use.

For example, I use Canva to edit graphics and videos for social media content. They have new AI features which allow you to edit your projects more quickly and with other alleged (to be determined) benefits.

Just because they have this feature doesn't mean I have to use it. I can continue creating original content the way I have been. It's not required (yet) to use their AI features.

Another example is Grammarly. This is a writing assistant software I use to catch spelling mistakes or grammatical errors which the main program (Canva, Google Docs, Gmail, etc.) may not catch on its own. This is a form of AI which interprets what I'm typing, analyzes it in real time, and provides suggestions for improvements. While this may seem simple, it is still AI. I believe this is one of the examples where the benefits far outweigh any potential risks, so I feel comfortable using it in my everyday routine.

Important Note Regarding Grammarly Example: There are premium, paid versions of Grammarly available which provide more in-depth writing suggestions to more drastically revise or rewrite entirely. This model is targeted for individuals who are not particularly fond of writing and need additional support, whether they are students or professionals. I want to clarify how, as someone who considers herself a skilled writer, I purposefully do not use these options. I stick to the main, free model which only alerts for misspelled words and advises minor grammatical suggestions. I have the option to discard/override any advice. I do not use Grammarly to rewrite entire sentences or give it the opportunity to alter the tone of my personal, unique writing style. This is a good example of, in my opinion, where to draw the line. What can start as helpful can easily morph into unoriginal cheating, if you will.

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AI is becoming a part of our lives whether we like it or not. As all of the programs we regularly use begin to adapt and integrate their own forms of AI, we will eventually need to "get with the program" to some extent, so we might as well figure out how to use it ethically and appropriately.

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I wish to genuinely thank you for your consideration of my services and your active willingness to support a real person and fellow small business owner instead of solely utilizing or relying upon AI.

If you have any questions about these AI policies, please let me know, and I would be happy to discuss this important matter with you directly.

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