Maintaining the human touch in AI usage
Generated using Dall-E 3
Artificial intelligence – it seems to be the latest buzzword that everyone is talking about. Some people are scared, others are skeptical. These worries aren’t without merit, but I don’t think we have anything to fear. The reality is that AI is transforming the digital landscape and reshaping creative jobs—but it’s not replacing us.
I’m not here today to go through all the reasons why AI isn't taking over humanity. I’m sure there are plenty of much smarter people who have already written extensively on that topic.
What I can speak to is how, as a creator, I’ve fully integrated AI into my workflow—and how it’s helped me work smarter, not harder. From speeding up mundane tasks to helping with ideation, artificial intelligence has become a tool that enhances my creativity, not stifles it.
Let’s start with AI chat models like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini. Most people know these tools as the ones their kids might use to cheat on homework (don’t do that!). But beyond that misuse, these models are incredible for research and brainstorming.
These tools are great at summarizing large amounts of information and breaking down complex topics into digestible pieces. They can also help you find sources to kick off your research. And let’s be real—getting started is often the hardest part of any project.
I also use chat models for proofreading, especially for longer pieces of writing. I’m not the best with spelling and grammar, so having a tool like ChatGPT to catch mistakes without completely changing my tone is a game-changer. It’s like having a second pair of eyes—without the extra hire.
One of my favorite use cases? Writing social media captions. If you’ve ever had to come up with a month’s worth of captions at once, you know how overwhelming that can be. AI chat tools help generate starting points that I can refine to match my brand voice. When prompted well, they’re gold.
Now let’s talk visuals. The other major type of AI I use is image generation tools, like those built into Adobe Creative Cloud or DALL·E 3. For example, when I take marketing photos, sometimes there are distractions in the background that need to be removed. That used to be a painstaking Photoshop process. Now? AI handles it in seconds—and the results are often better than what I could do manually.
AI-generated images can also be helpful for low-stakes content like blog posts (like this one). Sometimes I don’t have the time to create a custom visual, so I generate one and make sure to label it as AI-generated. It’s a practical solution that keeps the content flowing.
And this only scratches the surface of what AI tools can do. From enhancing audio quality, denoising images, to even writing complex code, the possibilities are growing fast.
I get why people worry about AI taking jobs. But here’s the thing: these tools can do a lot, but they can’t replicate the human touch behind creative work. They don’t feel, they don’t connect emotionally, and they definitely don’t understand nuance like we do.
AI isn’t here to replace creators—it’s here to empower us. Used thoughtfully, it’s just another tool in our toolbox. And I, for one, am here for it.
Hi! My name is Peyton McKenzie.
I am a professional graphic designer, photographer and content creator.
I encourage you to explore my portfolio to get a better idea of the work I create. If you are interested in working with me or have inquiries of any kind, don’t hesitate to reach out over email.
