The Folly of AI First Strategies

That Solo Life, Episode 303: The Folly of AI First Strategies

 

Episode Summary:

In this episode of That Solo Life, co-hosts Karen Swim, APR  of Solo PR Pro and Michelle Kane  of Voice Matters explore the growing trend of adopting an “AI-first” strategy in business and marketing. While artificial intelligence has proven to be a valuable tool, Michelle and Karen argue for a balanced approach that prioritizes human expertise and thoughtful integration. They discuss examples of companies misusing AI, how it impacts customer experiences, and smart ways organizations can combine AI with human intelligence for the best outcomes. The episode is a must-listen for PR pros and marketers navigating the evolving digital landscape.

Episode Highlights:

• The risks of an AI-first strategy: Why adopting AI without enough forethought or balance creates inefficiencies, costs, and poor customer experiences.
• Examples of misuse: Companies like Xfinity and Business Insider illustrate how over-reliance on AI can backfire.
• The human factor: The importance of human intelligence in areas like PR, customer service, and even medical diagnostics.
• Using AI wisely: How organizations can leverage AI as a complementary tool rather than a full replacement for human effort.
• Lessons for PR pros: Why PR professionals must adapt to AI tools while continuing to demonstrate their unique value to organizations.

Episode Timestamps

• 00:18 - Introductions and episode overview.
• 00:48 - The rise of AI in marketing and business strategies.
• 01:40 - Examples of companies going all-in on AI and walking it back (Duolingo, Business Insider).
• 02:34 - Michelle and Karen discuss Xfinity’s chatbot issues and the customer frustration it causes.
• 04:36 - Why prioritizing customer experience should always come first.
• 05:25 - Effective uses of AI in ad tools and automation versus areas where human expertise is irreplaceable.
• 07:17 - Human connection and the ongoing need for person-to-person community in a digital age.
• 09:57 - The integration of AI in PR and marketing fields; potential risks and opportunities.
• 12:04 - How PR pros can become trusted advisors by skillfully blending AI tools with human insight.
• 12:53 - Closing thoughts and encouragement to share the episode.
• 00:12:56 - Conclusion and Call to Action

 

Related Episodes & Additional Resources

 

• PR Daily: Business Insider layoffs
• Fast Company: Going ‘AI first’ appears to be backfiring on Klarna and Duolingo 
• Brandnation: Social Media and AI 

Host & Show Info

That Solo Life is a podcast for public relations, communication and marketing professionals that work as independent and small hosted by Karen Swim, APR and Michelle Kane. Karen is the founder of Words For Hire, a PR agency that specializes in B2B, Technology and Healthcare, and the President of Solo PR, a community dedicated to independent practitioners in public relations, communications and related fields. Michelle Kane is