In this insightful episode of AI for U, Brian dives into the innovative ways artificial intelligence is reshaping creative communications at CU Boulder. Maria Kuntz, Director of Creative Communications and Services, shares real-world use cases of how AI tools streamline administrative tasks, enhance creative workflows, and transform storytelling. Recorded live at the AMA Symposium for the Marketing of Higher Education, this episode offers practical inspiration for enrollment marketers looking to integrate AI into their strategies.

Key Takeaways

• AI streamlines time-consuming tasks, such as synthesizing complex email threads into clear communications, saving hours of manual work.
• Tools like ChatGPT support creative processes, including generating article titles and SEO-optimized content, enabling teams to skip steps in brainstorming and focus on refinement.
• AI enhances storytelling, from uncovering "unsung hero" alumni to drafting multimedia content plans, offering marketers a head start on creative projects.
• Collaborative AI use reduces stigma around adopting new technology and fosters team-wide innovation.
• Fact-checking remains crucial when using AI, especially for storytelling and brand alignment.

Episode Summary

Maria shared a compelling example of using ChatGPT to consolidate and reframe a chaotic email thread into a coherent message. The thread, involving multiple contributors, pertained to supporting grant applications on campus. With AI, she quickly generated a polished draft, enabling the team to focus on fine-tuning instead of starting from scratch. This approach saved significant time and allowed Maria to provide more efficient support to her colleagues.

One standout application is AI's role in brainstorming article titles for the university magazine. Traditionally, creating headlines was a labor-intensive task, involving multiple iterations. By integrating AI, Maria’s team now pre-generates ideas, allowing brainstorming meetings to focus on refinement rather than ideation. Additionally, by layering SEO considerations into prompts, they produce dual-purpose content optimized for both print and digital audiences, demonstrating how AI aligns creative and technical goals.

Maria highlighted an exciting use case in alumni storytelling. Using ChatGPT, she identified CU Boulder graduates who are "unsung heroes" across various disciplines. This initial AI research provided a springboard for deeper investigation and led to richer narratives. While the results required careful fact-checking, this approach significantly accelerated the discovery process for compelling alumni stories.

AI extends beyond text-based content to multimedia, as Maria demonstrated when creating a reel for an alumna’s story. With prompts guiding shot sequences, music suggestions, and text overlays, the AI provided a ready-made storyboard, simplifying the creative process. This iterative starting point helped the team overcome creative blocks and produce engaging visual content.

Encouraging team-wide discussions about AI fostered a culture of innovation and reduced hesitation around its use. Group brainstorming sessions involving AI not only produced better results but also normalized the tool’s integration into daily workflows. Maria emphasized the importance of team norms and open communication in leveraging AI's potential effectively.

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