What I learned at a Gen AI training that’s already transforming how we work
Last month, I dove headfirst into a Generative AI training program, and it blew my mind! From my early PR days of meeting journalists and handing out media releases to the biggest campaigns being managed virtually, I’ve watched our industry evolve. But this feels like the biggest shift yet!
Walking into that training session, I was a bit skeptical. I had played around with ChatGPT like everyone else, but I did not know it was so much more than a fancy writing assistant.
The “AI Generalist” Lightbulb Moment
The biggest takeaway hit me about an hour into the session when the instructor introduced the concept of becoming an “AI Generalist.” It’s not enough to just know traditional PR anymore, we need to understand how generative AI models can supercharge everything we do, from crafting the perfect pitch to managing crisis communications.
I learned how Large Language Models actually work (fascinating stuff involving tokenization, embeddings, and response generation), but more importantly, I discovered how to make them work for us. The “Magic Prompt Formula” alone has already changed how I approach content creation.
Here’s the thing: AI isn’t replacing our strategic thinking or relationship-building skills. It’s amplifying them. It’s like having a research assistant, content creator and data analyst all rolled into one, available 24/7.
The Tools That Are Changing Our World
Coming out of that training, I had a whole arsenal of new tools:
For Content Creation:
- ChatGPT and Claude: These aren’t just for writing anymore. I’m using them to brainstorm campaign concepts, craft press releases that both journalists and AI actually want to read and even generate multiple versions of pitches for A/B testing.
- Perplexity Labs: This tool is like having a research team on steroids. I can dive deep into market analysis, competitive research and trend identification in minutes instead of hours.
- Google Gemini: Smart email management that’s actually smart. It connects directly with Gmail to assist in summarizing lengthy email threads, composing replies and highlighting critical messages.
- Visual Storytelling: The visual aspect amazed me. We’re now creating assets that would’ve required entire design teams before.
- Midjourney: This can generate campaign visuals, mood boards and concept art in minutes.
- Runway ML and Luma Labs: These tools turn static images into compelling video content.
- Magnific AI: This upscaling tool makes everything look professionally polished. Those quick concept images from Midjourney? Magnific turns them into high-resolution assets ready for any medium.
For Data & Analysis:
- Numerous.ai: Real-time sentiment analysis that integrates directly with Google Sheets. This is extremely helpful to track how mentions of our clients are trending across media outlets and get instant insights into public perception.
- WriteSonic: SEO audits that actually improve client visibility. I ran one for a long-term client and identified 15 quick wins that boosted their search rankings within weeks.
What This Means Right Now?
Let me give you some real examples of how this will play out:
Crisis Management Revolution: Remember when crisis communication meant frantically gathering at 2 AM and spending hours crafting a response? Now it is possible to track brand mentions across every platform, analyze sentiment in real-time and draft response strategies using this analysis in minutes.
Media Relations That Actually Work: The “Magic Prompt Formula” can help transform our pitch game. Instead of sending generic releases, analyzing individual journalists’ writing patterns so they can be sent personalized pitches that speak their language can be achieved in minutes.
Client Reporting That Tells a Story: Monthly reports that used to be once coverage summaries can now include AI-generated insights, trend analysis and actionable recommendations. These now give a broader picture of the ROI along with some very clear next steps.
The Automation Game-Changer
Here’s where it gets really exciting. It is now possible to automate the time-consuming stuff like media monitoring, competitive analysis and industry and media research, so we can focus on strategy and relationships:
What Does This Mean for Businesses?
- Data-driven strategies backed by real insights, not gut feelings
- Measurable results with detailed analytics and performance tracking
- Faster turnarounds without sacrificing quality
- Better targeting with personalized content for specific audiences
The Future is Here (and It’s Pretty Exciting)
AI is not replacing PR professionals – it’s amplifying their craft. We are still building relationships, crafting compelling stories and driving real business results. We are just doing it with superpowers now.
What excites me most is that we’re just scratching the surface. Every week brings new AI capabilities and tools that make our work more effective and creative.
Ready to see what AI-powered strategic communications can do for your brand? We’d love to discuss how we can transform your next campaign with our top notch AI resources. Whether you’re launching a product, managing a reputation challenge or building brand awareness, our AI-powered approach can help you fetch great results!
Want to know more? Drop us a line at results@bospar.com! We’d love to show you what’s possible. Fair warning: it might blow your mind too!
