My thoughts on AI

I've been a pretty outspoken AI hater to this point. Let the record show that I still am. However, I have found it to be a real powerhouse in a few specific contexts. Keep reading...

🛑 3 ways AI is not useful:

As a replacement for any form of human communication (without disclosure)

I recently got a text reminder from a workout studio I had visited once. The text was from "Heidi," asking if I'd like to sign up for a monthly membership. I replied to decline. Almost immediately, I got a text back that was 5 sentences long and contained 3 emojis. No human could have typed that fast, I thought.

If they had disclosed "🤖 This is an automated chat," then, maybe, I would have felt differently. But pretending to be a human is kind of gross.

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As an image generator (used unironically)

It's kind of dystopian. It makes things look cheap. People can tell. Don't do it.

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As a copywriter (without significant direction and heavy editing)

People only need to read one overly-correct sentence to be able to sniff out AI-written text. Too many exclamation points, too many commas, too many adjectives...

The only way this can work is if you preface your request with a thorough copywriting guide. Then, edit the output heavily. This may still be a time-saver if you have severe writer's block, but you're most likely better off writing something yourself.

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✅ 3 ways AI is useful:

As an advisor

If these AI chatbots can do anything well, it's play a part. Tell it to play the part of professional marketer.

Try this prompt today for your Christmas events:

I'm a pastor at a church in [city, state], and I'm preparing a comprehensive marketing and advertising plan for our upcoming Christmas Eve and Christmas Day worship services. Our goal is to increase attendance, particularly among families, newcomers, and unchurched individuals in the community.

We typically use Facebook, email newsletters, and bulletin announcements for outreach, but we're also open to exploring paid advertising options, such as Facebook Ads or Google Ads. Could you create a detailed marketing plan with key dates and strategies for each platform? I'd also appreciate tips on how to track engagement and adjust our efforts over the coming weeks to maximize impact.

It will spit out something pretty close to what a professional would suggest. Of course, it will miss some nuance, but it's better than guessing or not having a plan at all.

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As a makeshift translator

I recently chatted with someone who was using AI to translate his written sermon into other languages to hand out to a few 2nd language English speakers in attendance.

Would the translation be perfect? Probably not, but, if it was me, I can imagine really appreciating the support as I listen to a sermon that's not in my first language.

Be sure to disclose that you used AI to generate the translation in case there are bits & pieces that aren't quite right.

And, of course, if you do have access to a real human translator, ask them for help first.

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As an analytical mind

Run your next email newsletter through your favorite chatbot with this prompt:

Make very few changes to the text, but edit for brevity and clarity:

OR

Take a bunch of Google form responses and dump them into your favorite chatbot with this prompt:

Analyze these form responses and provide me a summary with next steps:

OR

Share your prospect list with your favorite chatbot and tell it to look at it with fresh eyes...

Examine this list of prospects for my church and find common threads among them. Then, offer suggestions for how I might be able to communicate with them in a way that resonates.

What are your thoughts on AI used in ministry? Yay or nay? Just hit reply 📧