Where to Use AI in Marketing (And Where You Shouldn’t)
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming a major part of how businesses market their products and services. From writing content to running smarter ad campaigns, AI can do a lot to help marketers save time and work more efficiently.
However, just because something is possible with AI doesn’t mean it’s always the right choice. In fact, there are some areas in marketing where using AI can create a poor customer experience—especially when it gets in the way of human connection.
Where AI Can Be Very Effective
1. Creating Content Quickly
AI tools can help marketers write faster. Whether it’s a blog post, a product description, or a social media caption, AI can provide a good starting point. Writers can then review and improve the content to match the brand’s tone and message.
2. Understanding Customers Better
AI can analyze customer data and reveal patterns that humans might miss. This includes understanding:
What products people prefer
When they are most likely to make a purchase
How to divide customers into useful groups
These insights help businesses send more relevant messages to the right people.
3. Improving Ads and Email Campaigns
AI can help:
Show ads to people who are most likely to be interested
Pick the best time to send emails
Write better subject lines to increase open rates
This makes advertising more effective and less wasteful.
4. Helping With Design
Some AI-powered tools can assist with creating banners, presentations, social media posts, and short videos. They help non-designers create visuals quickly without needing expert skills.
Where AI Should Not Replace Humans
1. Chatbots and Phone Menus (IVR)
This is where many businesses make a mistake. When someone needs help and is met with a robotic chatbot or a confusing phone menu, it often leads to frustration.
Here’s what businesses should do instead:
Always give customers the option to talk to a real person without delay
If no one is available, offer a quick call back from a human—not an automated system
People expect fast, personal service. AI should not get in the way of that.
2. Responding to Sensitive or Emotional Situations
AI cannot understand tone, emotion, or urgency the way people can. When a customer is upset or facing an issue, only a trained human can offer the right support. Using AI in these situations can damage trust.
3. Crafting a Unique Brand Voice
Your brand’s voice is how people feel when they interact with your company. AI can suggest words, but it cannot truly understand your company’s personality or values. Final decisions on messaging should always come from real people who understand your brand.
Should You Use AI in Marketing?
Yes—but use it wisely.
Think of AI as a helpful assistant. It is great at handling tasks that are repetitive, time-consuming, or based on large amounts of data. But it should never be used in ways that replace human empathy, especially when it comes to customer communication.
The goal of any kind of marketing is not just to sell, but to build relationships. And relationships require real human connection.
Final Thoughts
AI is a very powerful tool in the world of marketing. But it must be used carefully.
Use AI to make your work faster and smarter. Do not use it to create barriers between your customers and your team. Always make sure people can reach a real human when they need help.
In short, use AI to support your marketing—not to replace the human touch that makes it truly effective.