Stories with Soul: Staying Alive in the era of ChatGPT

 Keith Boyd, of Microsoft, and Mario Juarez, of StoryCo, talked about stories and ChatGPT. 

In 2003, we were talking about structured content, XML, and ebooks. And we would have been talking about AI as well. 

Storytellers set the vision. Steve Jobs said that the most powerful person in the world is the storyteller. 

Storytelling has to be a big part of our toolsets. 

The elements of a good story include premise, plot, character, prose, and theme. Element of humanity in all of these. Stories are always about human beings. Sometimes connected to struggle, which is where you get plot. 

A story is the hero's journey. Not going to need it in tech docs, but it is highest rendition of something wired into all of us. There is a sense of fairness built in to this narrative structure. It resides in anyone who digests your content. 

A lot of problems are global, but starting at that level numbs the audience. Focus on the individual. 

So how to leverage AI? Well, with AI, what could go wrong? Well, AI has a tendency to hallucinate and make things up. 

How to think about AI. It can be a framework to overcome writer's block, how to get started on that first page. It can start with good, and that's how to get to great. In theory, how to get started. 

How to use superpowers to give my content more soul. "SOUL" is an acronym.

Sincere: Your story reflects sincere perspective.

Optimistic: Story inspires positive action

Unique: Perspective is unique.

Lively: Engaging language that positively challenges readers. 

But more: ERA

Empathetic: Connect with audience in an emotional way.

Relatable: Foster meaningful connections.

Authentic: Only you could write this story.

SOUL ERA has several levels. On its best day, content that comes out of ChatGPT is at best at the first level. More or less accurate, but with no soul. 

With craft and care, can get beyond that. Can start with that draft. 

Level 2 is demonstrably different. Uses language such as metaphors that only humans could understand. Level 3 builds a visceral connection, demonstrating deep knowledge, inspires action because the content is actually consumed. 

Generative AI is the ultimate research assistant. You can ask it every stupid question, explore every topic, and it can define every term, validate every assumption, generate sample text blocks, and provide a reference roadmap. 

AI can't be clear, concise, or compelling.