Late to the AI party? Here's how to get started.

You know that annoying coworker that handles everything with annoying efficiency?

The overachiever that happily jumps on a task with no complaints. The one that grinds your gears, but you can’t help but love?

Well, imagine now that coworker is working for you.

Handling your tasks with that same level of enthusiasm and care.

That’s how we should be thinking about Generative AI.

(And no, I don’t have a gun to my head.)

Things have changed drastically since we started this newsletter in Feb. AI was still just rolling out, and it was scary as HELL.

Not to mention janky (no offence, GPT). But it had a lot of learning to do.

Now, well, it’s a lot better, smarter, faster.

Say what you want about AI. But, whether you’re ready or not, you love it or hate it, if it hasn’t already, AI will be sliding into your workflow.

And the numbers don’t lie: A 2024 Microsoft and LinkedIn report revealed that 25% of knowledge workers are already cosy with AI. 90% of U.S. ad agencies are at least toying with it.

Maybe the question we need to stop asking is if it will take our jobs, and instead, ask how it will make our jobs better, maybe even give us some breathing room.

Think about it in terms of starting a new campaign.

As a writer, no one knows the feeling of staring into the abyss of a blank Word doc more. It’s enough to make you crazy. And I mean padded walls crazy.

Helloooo, genAI: she’s not here to steal your vision. She’s here to give it a head start.

Need a punchy subject line or visual mockups? AI tools like Copilot have your back.

Just remember, you’re the brains of the operation—AI is just your pretty little overachieving assistant.

Pro tip: Let AI handle the grunt work—A/B testing, research summaries, and inbox management—so you can focus on the fun stuff, like brainstorming or convincing clients that your wildest idea is also the smartest.

Learn the art of the prompt.

AI’s love language. The more detail you give, the better the results. But good prompts don’t just fall out of the sky, you know. They’re crafted with care. Structure them with these six essentials: task, role, context, audience, source, and tone.

Example prompt: 'You’re a sassy newsletter writer. Create three subject lines under six words for a DTC bath towel campaign. Make it humorous and empathetic for 18-24-year-old first-time renters.'

The more you refine your prompts, the sharper your AI’s output. And no, 'Refine recommendations' isn’t cheating—it’s being thorough.

AI can help you build deeper connections.

With your customers, not with your AI. We’re not ready for those romances just yet.

Today’s audiences demand ads that feel personal, inclusive, and authentic. AI can help you decipher the labyrinth of audience data, spot trends, and create hyper-personalised campaigns. It’s less about launching more campaigns and more about making them resonate.

Bonus tip: AI tools can provide on-demand insights, enabling you to adapt campaigns in real time. This is marketing in the fast lane, baby.

Tread lightly – AI ethics do matter.

Of course, it’s not all sunshine and instant headlines.

AI comes with risks—bias, inaccuracies, and potential IP headaches. Human oversight is non-negotiable, so keep your hand firmly on the wheel. Transparency about your AI use also goes a long way in maintaining trust with your audience.

Pro tip: Be discerning about the data you feed AI. Biased input equals biased output, and that’s a PR crisis waiting to happen.

AI skills are the new MVP.

Look guys, it’s no longer optional.

If you’re still cowering behind AI fear, lowkey, you need to grow up (sorry, but it’s true.)

Nearly 70% of hiring managers prefer candidates with AI chops. If you’re new to the game, start small—use AI to draft emails or summarise your meeting notes. Build from there.

Your future self will thank you.

-Sophie, Writer