AI Content Writing: The Next Big Job Market?

AI Content Writing: The Next Big Job Market?
May 21, 2024

Over the past few months, we have seen significant strides in the adoption of generative AI technology in business. As AI systems like ChatGPT demonstrate their capabilities for natural language generation and content creation, companies are beginning to embrace these tools and hire specialized roles focused on applying AI. One of the earliest examples of this was Tomorrow.io's decision to bring on an "AI Marketing Specialist" - arguably the first ever generative AI content job. By examining their journey and rationale, we can gain valuable insights into how AI is transforming marketing roles and setting precedents for wider company adoption.

Tomorrow.io Paves the Way

In early 2022, the predictive weather intelligence company Tomorrow.io was seeking to bolster their content marketing efforts. However, in the current economic climate, simply adding headcount was not a justifiable investment without a clear return. That's when their CMO Dan Slagen realized an AI-focused specialist could maximize productivity through technology while still requiring a dedicated resource.

Rather than immediately creating an "AI job", Slagen's team debated the ideal candidate traits. They wanted someone passionate about AI based on recent advances, with a growth mindset to experiment. Traditional marketing skills were also required to blend AI augmentation with human creativity. After gaining internal buy-in on the role's viability, they officially listed the "AI Marketing Specialist" position in March 2022.

The job description tasked the specialist with using generative AI to create, manage and distribute various marketing content. However, Slagen was clear they did not want an automated "prompt machine". Success would require judgment on when to lean into AI assistance versus human perspectives, embracing AI-first thinking without abandoning nuance. It was a balanced approach recognizing technology alone cannot replace skilled professionals.

AI's Impact on Marketing

This pioneering hire provides insights into how AI is transforming marketing roles themselves. By combining AI-driven productivity with focused human creativity, one specialist can act like a whole team according to Slagen. No longer must experts dedicate significant time to information gathering or repetitive tasks. AI handles such "waste" so marketers can spend more hours developing deep expertise and original ideas.

As Samyutha Reddy of Jasper AI said, content creators never want to spend excessive time on internet research - they prefer utilizing that time for more meaningful work. AI simply redistributes existing labor, not eliminates the need for talent. Designers, for example, gain opportunity to delve into more strategic projects rather than basic production. So while AI may change job descriptions, the underlying demand for skilled professionals endures.

Setting an Example for Companywide AI Use

For Slagen and other leaders, the benefits of AI extend far beyond any single role. If adopted strategically, generative technology can increase business agility and help gain ground on slower-moving competitors. As platforms from giants like Microsoft and Google integrate AI into common tools, early business adoption will prove pivotal to long term success.

Yet transitioning an entire company to new technologies requires overcoming inherent resistance to change. By bringing AI directly into marketing via a dedicated specialist, Tomorrow.io aimed to lead cultural transformation from the inside. If this pioneering role demonstrates AI's tangible value, it becomes easier for others within the business to envision applications for their work as well.

Rather than solely learning about AI secondhand via case studies, businesses need individuals driving exploration and experimentation from the forefront. Tomorrow.io's specialist serves as an evangelist to socialize concepts, build supporting systems and pave the way for wider proliferation across departments over time. It's a holistic, grassroots approach recognizing that technological change stems from changed mindsets as much as updated tools.

Marketing Primed for AI Leadership

According to Tomorrow.io VP Cole Swain, most AI applications currently center around marketing use cases due to the domain's relative structure and metrics. By polishing early prototypes within promotional workflows, it becomes far easier to showcase AI's practical benefits to other business functions.

With the specialist focusing initial efforts within content production, social media campaigns and email marketing, concrete results should gradually convince additional teams to experiment. Over months, AI adoption spreads laterally across the organization as doubts subside. It's a model placing marketing in the leadership position to prove technology value before others commit major resources.

For Slagen and Swain, hiring the AI expert was never just about one role - it represented an investment in Tomorrow.io's long term technological transformation. They expressed excitement for how the specialist's dual focus on individual contributions and company-wide enablement could cement AI's role in the company for years to come. It was a pioneering choice for the times and will undoubtedly influence how others construct roles to maximize next-generation tools.

In conclusion, the emergence of first-generation AI content jobs and Tomorrow.io's pioneering journey in hiring an AI Marketing Specialist paint a compelling picture of the transformative potential of AI in content creation. Companies are increasingly recognizing the value of AI in enhancing productivity and efficiency. As businesses like Tomorrow.io set precedents for company-wide AI use, they are positioning themselves as industry leaders, embracing innovation, and preparing for a future where AI is at the heart of their operations. The AI Marketing Specialist is not just a role; it's a harbinger of change, paving the way for businesses to embrace the future of AI in publishing and marketing.

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