Should you use AI Graphics for your Business?
Before you start using AI graphics to advertise your business, it’s important to think about the long term impact and what to consider before you do…or don’t.
(I know, I know, I have a vested interest in this because AI is coming for my job in some ways, but I’m also a consumer who wants to work with and buy from real humans.)
Multiple coffee shops, dentists, farmers markets, restaurants and the like have come across my feed over the past weeks. They aren’t spam; they are real and local to me.
I asked ChatGPT to create a social media graphic. This is what it came up with.
AI does not know your ideal client like you
Large Language Models (LLMs), where Claude and ChatGPT and Canva get their information, do not take into consideration your ideal customer or target market. It can try to narrow it down based on your input, but its ability to hone in on a consumer is nearly impossible (right now, at least).
AI fonts and imagery look the same
Because LLms are pulling from similar data sets, every advertisement looks eerily similar no matter the industry. It uses the same fonts, the same glossy imagery. You can try to color match, but it will always be off. AI graphics, as they currently stand, will inevitably make your business look like every other. There is no standing out from the crowd.
Having a leg up
Maybe most importantly, if you as a small business owner choose a different road, staying true to your brand guidelines, your carefully crafted logos, fonts, and colors, real humans will pay attention giving you a leg up. This is an opportunity to get noticed and set yourself apart in a sea of competition, allowing you to create more value and charge more!
You may not even realize that your business is using AI to represent you in this way. Many virtual assistants and social media management companies are doing this to increase their margin. (I get it! It gets the job done fast!)
Here are some easy next steps
Pay attention. If you’re hands off your socials or ads (and I don’t blame you!), look to see what’s been recently posted and verify that it’s consistent with your brand. If you can’t tell or aren’t sure because you’re not good with visuals, check with your VA or social media manager and ask about their policy using AI graphics.
Be aware. As Gen Z’s purchasing power grows, know that their disdain for AI has risen according to a new study. That’s not even to mention the ethical or environmental impact.
While an AI is free, know that you get what you pay for. Investing in your brand and its connection to real humans and potential customers is powerful.
At KPD we are leaning in to helping brands look more human, more authentic by infusing artful elements into each identity we create so that your business connects with real buyers. If you're not confident about your brand, your logos, imagery, etc. and want your business to stick with the people whose lives your brand can transform, please reach out!
P.S. While I’m not Catholic, I’ve appreciated many of the things the Pope has had to say, so I bought his recently released Encyclical on this topic. If you’re interested in reading about AI’s impact on human dignity and spirituality, here’s the one I’ve purchased.
