ChatGPT isn’t the first giant leap in technology that’s played boogeyman to visual storytellers and communications professionals. In fact, for all of those who think an AI bot is gunning for their job, check out this oh so frightening list by the Society of Professional Journalists. It includes tools that “inspire” blog posts (not this one), writes tweets, and even helps create random doodles. 

The good news is the pundits inundating the airwaves – as they tend to do – with insights into the demise of professional writers and marketing specialists, would actually need a crystal ball to determine how ChatGPT will ultimately affect anyone’s gig.

Take the rise of Apple’s iTunes. Richard Branson correctly predicted Steve Jobs basically killed off record stores. But Sir Richard spectacularly missed the mark, when he speculated the whole industry would collapse. Instead, music producers adapted, and Beyoncé just took home a record setting number of Grammys.

So breathe deeply and listen to the full Renaissance album here. 

Then take solace in this expert analysis, which concludes ChatGPT is unlikely to become the next HAL 9000. In fact, the cyber security group HeadMind Hunters suggests us mere mortals “use the tool as a source of creative inspiration, to give ideas and serve as a starting point for a work that will afterwards mainly be human.”

The notion is encapsulated by Nate Torres’ read that unpacks seven ways ChatGPT can act as a sounding board to take better photos. Torres says the AI tool can provide basic ideas for backlighting, advise on what colors a subject should wear, and even suggest different photo taking techniques, such as the use of long exposure. Although, and this can’t be emphasized enough, it is always best to turn to a professional photographer for advice on these matters.

Now on the other end of the spectrum are the self described “marketing nerds” over at Wistia. They produced this tutorial on how to create a fully AI generated video using ChatGPT, Synthesia and Descript. It’s priceless in those moments when the media assets aren’t coming in on time and a deadline is fast approaching.

Nevertheless, if ChatGPT is still causing doubts about your future, and the bosses are itching to save a few dollars, it’s might be prudent to send a company-wide email with this bit of wisdom. Because while AI can definitely help a writer glean through a massive amount of facts and data, good storytelling requires real human connection.