In a revealing interview with Charlie Rose back in 2015, "Star Wars" creator George Lucas shared insights about the impact of his groundbreaking creation on the world of filmmaking.
In reading the interview, I noted parallels between the misuse of "Star Wars'" innovations and the challenges financial advisors face in the world of AI content generation.
1. Bad Input = Bad Output
In the interview, Lucas highlighted a fundamental truth: A tool is only as good as the user behind it. He lamented how "Star Wars"-esque effects and spaceship battles were often ripped off by other studios looking to capitalize on the franchise's success. While these movies may have looked similar on the surface, they lacked substance and flopped at the box office.
Similarly, in the realm of AI content generation, the quality of the output heavily depends on the quality of the input. Financial advisors must remember that AI is a tool, not a magic wand. The data, instructions and creativity they provide to AI platforms profoundly influence the content it generates. Garbage in, garbage out; it's a principle that financial advisors should take to heart.
When utilizing AI to produce content, financial advisors need to feed it with accurate data, clear instructions, and a creative touch. AI can assist in research, data analysis, and even generating initial drafts, but the human touch is vital for ensuring the content's accuracy, relevance, and engagement. The message is clear: the power of AI lies in its augmentation of human creativity, not its replacement of it.
2. Keep the Force in Balance
In the words of George Lucas, "It's like the balance of the Force — you can either use it for good or you can use it for evil." AI content generation tools, like the Force in "Star Wars," are only powerful when harnessed properly. Here are a few best practices to keep in mind.
Precise prompts: Just as the Force responds to a Jedi's intention, AI content generation tools require precise prompts. Invest in learning how to prompt AI correctly.
Relevance to your audience: Use the Force of AI to create personalized content for a specific audience persona. Content that is tailored to a specific audience persona will perform better.
Data-driven insights: Allow AI to tap into the wealth of data available. Prompt it to provide insights on market trends, investment opportunities and financial analysis.
