I first heard the analogy of Artificial Intelligence as a crane when reading an article by Roy Bahat, Head of Bloomberg Beta. I have used the analogy successfully when conducting AI workshops in newsrooms worldwide–enhancing the concept through examples and augmenting its value when trying to make AI more accessible and friendly to the doubters.
It is no surprise that many journalists and content creators are skeptical—and afraid—of how Artificial Intelligence could affect their jobs and the way they practice their craft. Knowing this, I use the crane analogy and tell them: “Imagine that you have this powerfully robust crane next to you that will do the heavy lifting as you embark into that investigative story, or as you try to layout a 36-page daily print edition of your newspaper, or come up with 15 questions to ask the head of that cancer laboratory you are about to interview.”
I even show an image of an actual crane, as you see here:
The concept of Artificial Intelligence as a crane offers an image that most people can identify with. We see cranes everywhere, like giraffes stretching their long necks all the way to the clouds. A crane is more familiar than a robot anytime.
As I go deeper into the concept, I outline why we all need this tool—the crane—sitting next to us, regardless of what our job or profession happens to be. Here is why:
AI as crane: the takeaways
Here’s a detailed explanation of this concept:
- Heavy Lifting by Cranes: Just as cranes are used in construction to lift heavy materials that would be impossible or extremely difficult for humans to move, AI can handle large volumes of data and perform repetitive tasks quickly and efficiently. This “heavy lifting” by AI includes data analysis, sorting through vast amounts of information, and performing routine tasks such as transcribing interviews or generating basic news reports.
- Efficiency and Speed: Cranes make construction projects faster and more efficient by taking on tasks that would otherwise consume a significant amount of time and effort. Similarly, AI enhances efficiency in content creation and journalism by automating time-consuming processes. This allows journalists and content creators to produce more work in less time, increasing overall productivity.
- Enabling Focus on Creative and Strategic Tasks: By taking over the heavy lifting, cranes free up human workers to focus on skilled tasks that require human intelligence, creativity, and decision-making. In the context of AI, this means that journalists and content creators can devote more time to investigative reporting, crafting compelling narratives, and engaging in strategic planning. AI handles the groundwork, providing humans with the space to leverage their unique talents and insights.
- Precision and Accuracy: Cranes are designed to perform tasks with precision, reducing the risk of errors and accidents. AI systems, when properly designed and implemented, can similarly enhance the accuracy of data processing and analysis. This reduces the likelihood of human error in tasks such as fact-checking, data entry, and even predictive analytics, ensuring higher standards of quality and reliability in the output.
- Scalability and Adaptability: Cranes can be scaled up or down depending on the size and scope of the construction project. AI systems are highly scalable and can be adapted to handle varying levels of workload and different types of tasks. This flexibility makes AI a valuable tool for media organizations of all sizes, enabling them to scale their operations and adapt to changing demands without compromising on efficiency or quality.
I recommend that you use the crane analogy when discussing AI with your own teams as it communicates the role of AI as an enabler that enhances human capabilities rather than replacing them (this is an essential part of the discussion).
This perspective helps demystify AI and encourages media professionals to view it as a powerful tool that supports and augments their work, ultimately leading to more innovative and effective content creation.
My take
I am happy to have this giant and smart crane sitting next to me as I go about my work everyday. Just this week, when confronted with design questions and challenges in one of my own projects, I turned to “the crane” in a quest for ideas and solutions. My prompt to get there was detailed–this is key!. The result offered a new perspective with some design solutions that I was able to bring home, to enhance and to use in my presentation.
Let’s say that the crane analogy offers those of us explaining AI a powerful lift.
Of related interest:
Our workshop deals with the two big revolutions facing editors
For me, it is imperative that editors approach content creation thinking in terms of mobile first.
Mobile first involves the type of transformation where all content is prepared thinking from small to large platform. Thinking small platform does not mean that the reporter conceptualizing a story for mobile consumption should not think BIG. So, plan from small to large, but think big in terms of the story content and the visual assets that go with it.
While mobile first is still elusive to so many newsrooms around the planet, here we are, in 2024, faced with an even bigger challenge not just knocking at our doors, but already IN: Artificial Intelligence.
Transformation and a change of mentality to face these challenges is the first step. Training and education to tackle them with a sense of focus and direction is essential.
That’s where our Garcia Media workshops come in
Our Garcia Media Mobile Storytelling workshops introduce your editorial team to the way we write, edit and design for mobile platforms. This one-day program includes a presentation and a hands-on workshop. We’ve added a new segment about AI for content creation.
For details, to customize, and to book: mario@garciamedia.com
Order my new book AI: The Next Revolution for Content Creation:
Join me on the road:
Appearances and conference
https://linktr.ee/themarioblog (https://linktr.ee/themarioblog)
Mario’s AI speaking engagements coming up
Here you see where I will be discussing AI at various events. Feel free to send me an email (mario@garciamedia.com) if you have questions about any of these events. You can always go directly to the organization’s website for additional information.
Hoping to see you along the way!
Artificial Creative Intelligence blogs of interest:
The following blog posts all deal with Artificial Intelligence and creativity:
Media predictions for 2024
Every year, Harvard University’s Nieman Lab publishes what selected media people predict for journalism in the following years. You can find my own prediction here;
https://www.niemanlab.org/2023/12/ai-takes-center-stage/
Start writing or type / to choose a block
How we use AI
Honored to be mentioned here:
https://www.newsroomrobots.com/p/how-10-news-industry-leaders-use
Order my new AI book here:
https://thaneandprose.com/…/preorder-ai-what-to-expect…
Here is a chance to pre-order my new book about Artificial Intelligence and content creation. The first 25 copies sold will be signed! Order here:
https://thaneandprose.com/…/preorder-ai-what-to-expect…
Reviews for AI book:
Newsrooms around the planet have gone mobile-first after a Garcia Media workshop!
Our Garcia Media Mobile Storytelling workshops are proven to introduce your editorial team to the way we write, edit and design for mobile platforms. It is a one-day program that involves a presentation (where I summarize my Columbia University class content), and follow it with a hands on workshop.
Did you read The Story yet?
I urge you to consult my latest book, The Story, a trilogy full of tips and explanations about mobile storytelling, which represents the latest genre for journalists to explore. See information below:
The full trilogy of The Story now available–3 books to guide you through a mobile first strategy. Whether you’re a reporter, editor, designer, publisher, corporate communicator, The Story is for you! https://amazon
Volume 1: Transformation
https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-story-volume-i/id1480169411
Volume Two: Storytelling
https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-story-volume-ii/id1484581220
Volume Three: Design
https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-story-volume-iii/id1497049918
Order the print edition of The Story, from Amazon, here:
TheMarioBlog post #3394