The AI slop on my feeds is getting out of hand. And I’m talking about uninspired trash that almost no human touched. Take YouTube for example: recently I was on the hunt for sound effects and the top results were AI generated videos with non-matching SFX on them. 1 word: horrible.
That being said, I’m not against using AI when creating content. The truth is, I’m an avid user of AI myself. The difference? Intention and craft. There is a time and place to use AI, in my opinion. So let me walk you through how I use AI as a tool, not a shortcut in my creation process.
1. Concept visuals
Before AI, I used to spend tons of time in the concepting phase looking for the perfect images to visualize my concepts. Thanks to AI, I cut down on time for that part of the process, which I now spend on refining my concepts even more. A win-win, if you ask me.
Another thing I recently started experimenting with is AI workflows. This allows you to combine multiple AI models together in one. I use it to go from a loose concept to a full-on video storyboard in no time.
2. Text
After writing my copy, I use AI as a proof reader. Having an extra set of eyes on your copy never hurts and the fact that I can now quickly get feedback on basic grammar and spelling is perfect.
3. Photography
In Lightroom, I use the occasional AI feature to enhance my photos, primarily focussing on the AI masking options. I still prefer to do the heavy lifting myself when it comes to editing and color grading my pics, instead of letting AI do the creative work.
On top of that, when a pic isn’t framed ideally, I like to use generative fill in Photoshop to solve that problem.
4. Graphic design
Yes, AI does have its place in the design process, but you need to be strategic about it. The main way I use it, is when a design calls for a more fantastical approach. Like putting a car in a futuristic setting. Generating those types of background in Nano Banana or Midjourney works like a charm.
But whenever a design requires a realistic, human approach, I try to steer clear from AI. Viewers aren’t dumb and can spot AI from a mile away, so this is the perfect example of when you shouldn’t be using it.
5. Videography
I’m definitely still in the learning phase when it comes to videography. And lighting is one area where I still have room to grow. So I use conversational AI like ChatGPT or Gemini as my gaffer, by simply asking how to place my lights to get the end result I’m after. This way I can quickly start shooting, while also learning how to tackle lighting correctly in the future.
6. Editing
When editing in Premiere Pro or After Effects, I use AI to get rid of distracting elements in my video. Meaning generative fill (in Photoshop) if that part of the video isn’t moving, or Runway/Kling when that distracting element is a dynamic part of the video. I apply the same method if the framing of my video isn’t quite there. Or if I don’t have enough footage, I have used Runway or Kling to animate one of the many pictures I did take.
Within Premiere Pro, I also use the voice enhance feature to enhance the dialogues and voiceovers I record for my videos.
And lastly, I’m a big fan of the speech-to-text feature that both Premiere Pro and Capcut have. It makes adding subtitles quite an easy task.
7. Voiceovers
Gone are the days that adding voiceovers to your work is a costly process for which you have to cast actors. I’ve both used HeyGen and ElevenLabs to add voiceovers to my work. Of course, you do need to do some finetuning to get the tone-of-voice just right. But even that part of the process has become so much easier as the tools evolve by the minute.
So yeah, I’m not against using AI in content creation. But I use it to enhance my process, not to replace my creative input. AI allows me to work smarter and faster, but the creative decisions, the concepts and final touches are mine. And that’s exactly what seperates good content from AI slop.
Want more of my creative input? Check out my recent videography adventure in which I filmed a cheesecake disaster.
