After trialling AI tools to help work out what car I should buy next recently, I decided to put them through even more tests to help out with work and life questions. But did they change things for the better? Let’s find out!
Using AI tools for work
Working on radio, AI and AI tools are certainly popping up more and more in our daily news. I mean today we got into a story about how teachers across the country are using AI writing tools such as Chat GPT to help them write school reports – plug in a few details, let the AI shake and bake, tailor for each student and it’s a case of job done. Which honestly would be far easier than writing 20 different reports each subject, trying your hardest not to repeat the phrase ‘Easily distracted’ for every kid.
However what I used them for this week wasn’t nearly half as industrious as streamlining report writing.
AI tools – justify this song choice please
Each Wednesday we have a song battle segment on our show where we pick a song each, justify (in 30 seconds) why it’s awesome and why people should vote for it and then put it to the people to decide who wins and which song gets to be played.
I was off to the races at the start of this year with a very handy lead of 5-0 in the song victory count, however after losing the last 6 battles in a row I decided I needed help. Maybe AI writing tools could help me come up with a red hot justification that would sway the people? And so that’s what I did – I got Koala AI (an AI writing tool) to tell me why my choice of Lenny Kravitz’s ‘American Woman’ was an awesome song but to keep it to eighty-five words or less so it would fit in 30 seconds.
Hold my digital beer said the Koala AI:
Lenny Kravitz’s cover of “American Woman” is a timeless classic that captures the essence of rock and roll. The song’s driving guitar riffs, powerful vocals, and catchy lyrics make it an instant hit. Kravitz’s interpretation of the song adds a modern twist to the original, while still maintaining its iconic sound. The song’s message of independence and defiance resonates with audiences of all ages and backgrounds, cementing its place in music history. “American Woman” is a must-listen for anyone who appreciates great rock music.
Koala AI when asked ‘Please write in 85 words or less why Lenny Kravitz’s song American Woman is awesome‘
But with AI power behind it, did I finally jag a much needed win?
Result: Er, no. Heart’s ‘Barracuda’ proved to be the more popular song according to the people. But points for trying Koala!
AI Tools – can you make a picture for this battle for me please?
The night before the battles, we put the song choices up on our Facebook page for people to jump in on early (and this ensures there’s plenty of votes already in the bag come time to talk about it.) And usually for this I put my passable Photoshop skills to the test to simulate who is taking on who – some previous examples for your pleasure here:
But this time I wondered if AI tools could do this job far quicker than I could. And so after asking Chat GPT which AI picture creation tools it recommended, it pointed me to the strangely named Artbreeder. And having no idea what I was doing there (nothing unusual about me and art there) I asked it nicely to create a picture of ‘Nancy Wilson from the band Heart and Lenny Kravitz having a drink in a bar.’ (Since it was actually a battle of the best singers, that should have been Ann heart instead but oh well).
And what it came back with was:
Result: I’ll be honest here – if you showed me this picture and asked me to identify who was in it, I would have said ‘Some kind of Tik Tok influencer and Jeff Martin from early days of the band The Tea Party?’ This version of Nancy couldn’t come close to the real deal if she stood next to the actual singer herself and Jeff…sorry, Lenny does not look like Lenny. But it’s still a nice piece of AI Tool art that was generated in less than 60 seconds so that’s pretty impressive..
Then the fun with AI tools got a little sillier..
Koala AI, could you write a haiku about our friend from the radio newsroom James Lake?
Sure, here’s a haiku about James Lake:
In the newsroom sits
-Koala, haikuing away
James Lake, typing with purpose
Words flow like a stream
Could you write about a blog post about whiskey in the style of a heavy Scottish accent?
Aye, laddie, let me tell ye aboot the bonnie drink o’ whiskey. It’s a drink that’s been enjoyed by Scots for centuries, and it’s got a long and rich history.
Whiskey is made from malted barley, water, and yeast, and it’s aged in oak barrels for years to give it that distinctive flavour. Some say it’s an acquired taste, but for those who love it, there’s nothing quite like it.
There’s a wide range of whiskies available, from the peaty and smoky Islay malts to the lighter and fruitier Speyside whiskies. And of course, there’s the famous Scottish whisky, which is known the world over for its quality and taste.
So if ye’re looking for a drink that’s full of flavour and steeped in history, then whiskey is the drink for ye. Slàinte mhath!
-Koala with a kilt on
And then..
Could you write a wrestling promo in the style of Stone Cold Steve Austin talking about cooking Paella?
Well let me tell ya somethin’ right here and right now, folks. Stone Cold Steve Austin ain’t just about whoopin’ ass in the ring. Nah, sometimes Stone Cold likes to take things down a notch and whip up a damn fine paella.
Now I know some of you might be thinkin’, “Stone Cold, what’s a paella?” Well let me tell ya, it’s a Spanish dish that’s got everything you need to get your taste buds hollerin’. We’re talkin’ rice, seafood, sausage, chicken, and all sorts of spices and herbs.
And let me tell ya, when Stone Cold Steve Austin cooks up a paella, he doesn’t mess around. I’m talkin’ a big ol’ cast iron skillet, a roaring fire, and all the best ingredients money can buy.
So if you wanna taste what Stone Cold is cookin’, you better get yourself down to the ring and see me after the match. ‘Cause when it comes to whoopin’ ass and cookin’ paella, Stone Cold Steve Austin is the best there is, the best there was, and the best there ever will be. And that’s the bottom line, ’cause Stone Cold said so!
-Koala AI, proving why it’s now one of my favourite AI tools
Result: Oh god, such stupid fun. I love it!
Using AI tools outside of work
While it’s been nowhere near as humorous as putting AI tools through various hoops on air, I have to say that I’m quite impressed with Koala AI’s ability to tidy up a few things about my writing. No it certainly didn’t write this blog post (it had a hand in some of the content above obviously) but I did get it to fine tune some of the blurbs on various books of mine.
It was a simple case of inputting the current blurb in and asking it nicely to improve it. In seconds it’ll send back a streamlined version (and in a couple of cases a bit punchier than the one I’d written) ready to go. A tweak there, a word there and up they went to replace the old ones. I might even get it to write me an Amazon ad for the books soon too (because none of the ads I’ve written have really fired off in a big way..)
Result: No change in book sales yet, but at least I’m a little more confident in my blurbs now! Thanks random AI tools!