Two-Way SMS becomes More Attractive with the Rise of Generative AI.

In the world of text messaging, two-way SMS and verified customers stand in stark contrast to the hyperbole, automation and paranoia we often see surrounding the world of generative AI.  I am optimistic and do not share the doomsday mentality or the sky is falling feelings of the AI critics.  To give reference to this perspective, consider the following quote from AI researcher and critic Eliezer Yudkowsky:

“Many researchers steeped in these issues, including myself, expect that the most likely result of building a super humanly smart AI, under anything remotely like the current circumstances, is that literally everyone on Earth will die.  Not as a ‘maybe possible some remote chance,’ but as in ‘that is the obvious thing that would happen.’” — Eliezer Yudkowsky

One more perspective to consider is Valerie Hudson of Texas A&M, and although she may not entirely agree with Mr. Yudkowsky, she does remind us that Elon Musk, Steve Wozniak, Andrew Yang, Yuval Harari and 30,000 others agree in an Open Letter that “alignment” is necessary and that large scale development should be put on pause for the time being.  Mr. Yudkowsky is far more direct.  His simple but direct response:  Shut it down.

Marketers, including those that use text messaging, are all too prone to jump on the latest technology and run as fast a possible to scale up.  Direct mail, printed catalogs, telemarketing, email and now text messaging all come to mind.  The promises and hyperbole of text messaging with AI have a familiar ring:

·        AI can help businesses personalize their messages

·        AI can automate customer interactions with chat bots

·        AI messaging platforms can go beyond conversational flows, using natural language processing algorithms to improve conversation quality

·        AI powered text messaging can create hyper-targeted campaigns

And while all of the above appear enormously attractive, at some point people buy from people and technology is best used when it brings people closer together instead of pushing them father apart.

Two-way SMS, between live people is a game winner.  If you want authentic relationships, then algorithms, chat bots and hyper targeted campaigns built with generative AI is a step towards the all too familiar robo-calls landscape.  It may be a text message instead of a phone call, but in the end it is still robotic.

Generative AI is impressive.  It has a place in marketing and I suspect every aspect of our society.  However, in the end, and at some point in the sales process, people will want to know when they are interacting with automation and when they are dealing with a live person.  Two-way SMS can deliver on that promise today and AI, if used right, will bring people closer together instead of pushing them away. 

Take a look at your own interactions with companies and see if you can tell whether you’re dealing with a live person or a chat bot.  In particular, if you think a company is using AI and leading you to believe you’re talking with a live person, when in fact it is a generative AI system, send me a text and let me know.  I’m very interested in experiencing up close how the AI market evolves: 206.312.2129