AI seems to be all the rage, and yet at the same time controversial for many reasons. Everyone seems to particularly have an opinion about art-producing AI, but what about written copy-producing AI? Allow me to enter the ring.
I am what they call a niche topic copywriter. My specialty revolves around hemp and cannabis content. With that comes the need for compliance knowledge and flexibility when it comes to the changes within the industry. For example, there are wording and advertising constrictions that cannot be used within either industry. IE: a hemp or cannabis brand cannot make a direct medical claim, banning the use of phrases like "Treats" or "Cures".
Enough about me.
AI-driven content is no longer a new concept. At first, it was met with outrage by artists whose content was used as part of a learning database without the artists' consent. Some platforms, including Getty Images, have outright banned AI-generated art.
As a result, AI began to come after our jobs.
According to The Telegraph, Buzzfeed will start using AI to produce quizzes and other lighthearted content after laying off dozens of employees. This decision came in the wake of large profit losses. The Telegraph reports, "shares in BuzzFeed have lost more than three-quarters of their value since it went public through a merger with a special purpose acquisition company (Spac). It is now worth around $340m."
But what does Buzzfeed have to do with cannabis content?
With massive layoffs hitting the tech and cannabis industries at the same time, it can leave copywriters, marketing professionals, and other more tech-leaning cannabis professionals feeling the draft on multiple fronts. This fact, coupled with the rise of AI-generated content, can only leave us wondering what will happen next.
At the time of this writing, the regulations surrounding the hemp and cannabis industries are too widespread and change too frequently to be accurately captured by AI. From a compliance standpoint, using AI-generated content could actually increase labor instead of the desired decrease. An individual would need to be appointed to go over each piece of content with a fine tooth comb rather than just hiring a professional copywriter who is experienced in the industry and can follow regulations.
In a cannabis professional's opinion, AI is not ready to tackle the cannabis or the hemp industry by a long shot. This may change in the future, presenting an all-new problem; where do we as humans draw the line?