*Article crafted with new learnings and help from AI
In a recent 2024 Gatesman Demo Day panel discussion, members of Gatesman’s leadership team shared vital insights and key learnings from the Female Quotient's Women in AI Summit, emphasizing the importance of responsible AI adoption and human-centric innovation. The panel, featuring Shannon Baker, Beth Thompson, Jennifer Miller and Sarah Gladd, highlighted how agencies and clients can effectively integrate AI while maintaining focus on creativity and strategic thinking.
Embracing AI with Purpose and Strategy
"Experimentation is our top priority for 2025," noted Gatesman President Shannon Baker, emphasizing that AI should be leveraged to create efficiency while preserving the human element in creativity. "We're using technology to move us ahead, not replace human ingenuity."
This sentiment was echoed by VP, Director of PR & Social Media, Beth Thompson, who drew a parallel to the mobile revolution: "Just as we once said 'there's an app for that,' we're now entering an era where 'there's AI for that.' However, AI is only as powerful as how we choose to use it."
Beyond Basic Implementation
One of the panel's key messages, delivered by VP, Group Account Director, Sarah Gladd, was the importance of moving beyond using AI as a mere search engine replacement. "If you fear the blank page, strategically explain what you're trying to achieve and where you want to go with these tools," Gladd advised. "Allow AI to help you determine the best path forward."
Jennifer Miller, SVP, Director of Analytics, emphasized the importance of starting with clear objectives: "To embed AI and find ways to scale, start with a challenge you'd like to solve, not the AI itself." Miller also highlighted the critical aspects of responsible AI implementation, including data security, privacy considerations, and the importance of addressing potential biases.
The Layered Approach to AI Implementation
The discussion introduced a layered principle for deeper AI integration, encouraging users to:
- Add meaningful context to prompts
- Request specific recommendations
- Clearly communicate overall objectives
- Challenge and verify results
"Everyone can and should be leveraging AI," Miller emphasized. "But we must be empowered to use it thoughtfully, challenge the results, and strategically position our own insights with AI as our companion."
Looking Ahead: Gatesman's AI Roadmap
The panel outlined several key initiatives for Gatesman's AI integration:
- Establishing a culture of experimentation focused on eliminating mundane tasks
- Implementing bot building for efficiencies while prioritizing safety and security
- Refining policies to empower rather than restrict
- Re-Engaging the AI Committee for 2025 initiatives
- Providing staff access to curated AI subscriptions for exploration
As Gatesman moves forward with these initiatives, the focus remains on balancing technological advancement with human creativity. The agency will continue to document this journey, showcasing how it is using AI tools to transform the panel discussion into various content formats, from articles to social media clips, demonstrating the practical applications of AI in content creation and distribution.
Through this comprehensive approach to AI integration, Gatesman is positioning itself at the forefront of technological adoption while maintaining its commitment to human-centered creativity and strategic thinking.
