AI Slop & Small Businesses: Why Small Businesses Embrace AI Slop and What It Means To Their Bottom Line?
By Sanjeev Wignarajah
AI is a tool, not a replacement.
AI is here and it has changed the way we work and consume content, even if it’s off-putting as the film industry takes a hard stance on the use of Generative AI. We see Generative AI Slop that small businesses use the minute we scroll on Instagram or TikTok. The same can be said for vendors at the CNE with Generated AI imagery. It does raise ethical concerns and raises questions on why small businesses use AI.
Why AI?
AI can be used for administrative purposes from payroll to taxes, saving hundreds of hours of work. Unfortunately, the same can be used to generate images of advertised products. I get it. Small businesses have a lot on their plate. They have to pay rent, insurance, supplies, etc. Yet they couldn’t afford to hire a marketing team to make their brand visually appealing. That’s where Generative AI comes into play. It saves them money.
Concerns and backlash
When a small business uses Generative AI images, it puts a distrust between customers and businesses as it comes across as inauthentic and disingenuous. Whether it’s a social media post or entering the establishment with AI imagery shown inside. How would a small business win back the trust of loyal customers? If they chose cost-saving measures over authenticity. The ball is in their court.
The Bottom Line
Although AI can be useful as a tool to save hundreds of hours of administrative work. It cannot be used to create content, whether it’s food marketing or jumping on a social media trend to stay relevant in a creative way. There are so many content creators who are willing to work with small businesses not just for portfolio purposes, but for the spirit of human collaboration, ingenuity, and spirit. That and recognition.
To quote Martin Scorsese, “The most personal is the most creative.”
Sanjeev Wignarajah is a freelance writer and photographer working with select clients and publications. He has a background in journalism and public relations from Centennial College.