Artificial intelligence is part of how I work. I want to be upfront about that because I think you deserve to know, and because hiding it, even by omission, isn't the kind of relationship I want to have with a client. So here's an explanation of where AI shows up in my process, why I use it, and what opting out looks like.
Where I Use AI
AI doesn't touch every part of every project. But there are several areas where it genuinely improves the work I deliver, and those are the areas where I rely on it.
Planning and Note Taking
Before a project kicks off, I may use AI-powered tools to transcribe our conversations and meetings. This helps me accurately capture deliverables, action items, and decisions so nothing slips through the cracks. You get a clearer, more reliable record of what we agreed to, and I get to stay focused on the conversation instead of furiously taking notes. I may also use AI to help storyboard ideas or produce initial drafts during the planning phase, giving us something concrete to react to before the real work begins.
Written Content and Scripts
For projects that involve a lot of written content, including scripts, website content, narration, and documentation, I use AI to help generate first drafts, work through structure, and iterate quickly. The key word is help. I review, rewrite, and refine everything before it's anywhere near you. AI doesn't write your deliverables. It helps me get to a strong draft faster so I can spend more time on the parts that require human judgment and craft.
Visual Assets
How AI fits into the visual side of a project depends on the service. For instructional design and web design, I may use AI to generate graphics, illustrations, or other visual elements when it serves the project. For photography, AI-powered features are built into many professional editing tools, including Adobe Creative Cloud, and I may use them as part of my post-processing workflow for things like retouching and masking. What those tools will never do is put me somewhere I wasn't, or create an image that didn't happen. For video, whether AI plays a role depends on the scope and goals of the specific project, and I'll always be upfront about it when it does.
Voice and Audio
For instructional design and video projects that require narration, I may use AI-generated voiceovers when a human voice actor isn't in the budget or timeline. This is always discussed upfront. You'll know before production begins whether a project includes AI voice. I also use AI-assisted tools for music selection and, in some cases, sound design on video projects.
Code
On web design projects, I use AI coding tools to write and review code more efficiently. This lets me build more, catch more bugs, and deliver cleaner work in less time. The code is still mine. I understand it, I own it, and I'm responsible for it. AI just removes a lot of the tedious boilerplate so I can focus on the things that actually make a website excellent.
AI is a tool in my toolkit. The judgment, the taste, and the accountability are still mine.
Why I Use It
The honest answer is that AI makes me better at my job, and that's good for you. Here's what that actually looks like in practice:
- Faster turnaround. AI handles repetitive or time-intensive tasks more quickly than I can alone. That speed translates directly into shorter timelines for you.
- More iteration. When drafts come together quickly, we have more time to refine them. You get more rounds of feedback, not fewer.
- Fewer errors. AI code review catches things humans miss. AI draft review catches inconsistencies before they reach you. The work is more polished at every stage.
- Better value. Time I don't spend on tasks AI handles well is time I can spend on things only I can do, like creative direction, problem-solving, and client communication. You get more of the stuff that matters.
I'm not using AI to cut corners or deliver less. I'm using it to raise the floor on everything I produce and give you more of my attention where it counts.
Opting Out
If AI-generated materials aren't right for your project or your organization, that's completely okay. Tell me at the start of our engagement and I'll structure the work accordingly. No judgment, no pressure.
I do ask that you understand one thing. Opting out affects the project. Work that AI would have assisted with, like drafting scripts, generating narration, and writing code, takes more time when done entirely by hand. That additional time is reflected in the timeline and the budget. I'll be transparent about exactly what changes and by how much before we finalize anything.
What won't change is the quality. Opting out doesn't mean settling for less. It means choosing a different path to the same destination. I'm glad to take either one.
The Bottom Line
I believe in being honest about how I work. AI is part of that. It helps me deliver better work, faster, and at a price point that works for more clients. But it's a tool I wield, not a replacement for the experience, taste, and care I bring to every project.
If you have questions about how AI might be used on your specific project, just ask. It's always on the table as a conversation, and I'll always tell you the truth.