I know what you’re thinking. You’ve no doubt heard or read about how artificial intelligence chatbots are being used to write everything from letters and poems to term papers. The most renowned AI bot, ChatGPT, has even passed exams from law and business schools and recently aced the U.S. Medical Licensing Exam.
Impressive, but we know the question you all have: Can AI write an executive summary? Let’s see.
Not bad – and it only took 1 minute and 20 seconds to crank that out. Admittedly, I also asked it to write a 300-word version, which had way more details, but it was still more of a general description of what Compass Group can do.
Which, remember, is not what an executive summary is all about. It’s supposed to be a client-focused narrative, so let’s do another test.
Eh.
In a pinch, maybe, but the executive summary shouldn’t ever be written in a pinch. Remember? Plus, while it added more emotional elements, it’s still relying on features over benefits – and none are specific to the client.
Devil still in the details
For specifics about the client you’re wooing, you’ll still need to write the brunt of the copy. ChatGPT won’t know exactly what we’re offering the client, such as financials, specific programs, timelines for transitioning employees, etc. It won’t know the experience our team has or the names of the client representatives you met during the initial visit.
Less important, but equally observed, style can be a factor with AI. Like many businesses, we use AP Style when writing/editing proposals for Compass Group. In the tests I ran, the bot used “food services” instead of “foodservices” and also was a fan of the Oxford comma.
Finally, AI bots also write in a lifeless monotone, though some of the paid upgrades have a smarter version they claim gives the copy more of a voice. But it won’t be your voice.
Pros and cons
Like most things, there are pros and cons for using AI-generated copy. But don’t take my word for it; just ask the bot.
The end of writers?
The remaining question on everyone’s minds: With AI’s vast and ever-growing capabilities, will it someday replace us altogether as writers?
My vote is no, but let’s ask the bot … actually, let’s not.
Don’t be sad. We’ll be back on the first Monday next month with a new blog post. If you can’t wait that long – whether because you have a topic you’d love us to cover, a question or you simply want to throw your two cents into the pot – we love talkin’ shop, so drop us a line.
