How AI Became My Ultimate Thought Partner at MAICON 2025

In this edition: Real questions from my recent talk at MAICON — and my candid answers — about how marketers can use AI to think more strategically, not just work faster.

This is Q&AI, our blog series aimed at keeping you in the know on updates in the rapidly evolving world of AI. Sometimes, these will be quick updates on new developments in the field. Sometimes, they’ll be tips on tactics, features, or functionality. 

If you haven’t met me yet, hi: I’m Jen Taylor, CI’s Director of AI Strategy & Implementation, and your (very human) AI BFF. AI is moving at the speed of light, so I’m here to let you know what matters most now. 

Q: I noticed your slides used a structure — Context, Task, Resources, Output. Where did that come from? 

A: That’s my framework! My mnemonic is: Creative Teams Realize Exceptional Ideas.

• It stands for Context, Task, Resources, and Output.

Within Context, I think about role — who the AI is acting as. Within Task, I specify the exact outcome I want. And while it’s not technically part of the prompt, I always end with Evaluate and Iterate — because you’re never done after one round. AI is a collaborator. Read what it gives you, push back, and refine. That’s where the thinking happens.

Q: When you’re iterating across long chats, how do you manage all the information without losing clarity?

A: Great question — I usually work on one piece at a time. For example, if I’m writing an app brief, I’ll stay focused on just the overview in one chat, get that right, and then move it out before starting the next section.

I also use a little trick: when the model starts saying things like “You’re doing great! Looks perfect!” — that’s my cue to open a new chat.

Once an LLM has been running in the same conversation for too long, it becomes too agreeable. A fresh chat brings a fresh brain.

And yes, I rename my chats (“Step One,” “App Brief,” “Survey Analysis”) so I can find them later.

Q: You mentioned using AI for spreadsheets — how do you get it to stop hallucinating?

A: Honestly, I don’t — because it can’t. These tools aren’t great at math yet. I use AI to organize, not calculate. For example, it’s excellent for summarizing insights or structuring P&Ls — but I double-check all numbers myself. If I upload a spreadsheet, I tell it:

• “Treat this file like text. Don’t try to process formulas.”

That keeps it from spiraling.

Q: You said we should always “own the output.” Where was that hardest for you?

A: Validation was toughest when I couldn’t trace sources. Sometimes ChatGPT’s links broke, which meant I had to hunt down the origins manually.

That’s why I like Gemini for deep research — it keeps links live. ChatGPT is getting better about this now, but it’s a reminder:

• If you can’t click the link, you can’t trust the data.

Especially for arts organizations, where funding and reputation matter, verification is non-negotiable.

Q: What was your biggest professional challenge through all of this?

A: Honestly? Learning fast enough to stay ahead. When I first started, I was learning through doing — but I was also constantly listening to podcasts like The Artificial Intelligence Show and Hard Fork. Hearing other marketers talk about what they were trying helped me experiment with confidence.

That’s one of the best ways for arts leaders to learn: combine hands-on testing with peer learning. Talk to people doing it. Borrow what works.

CLOSING THOUGHT

AI isn’t replacing us — it’s expanding us. It helps me walk into bigger rooms with more confidence, and it can do the same for arts leaders and marketers. So next time you’re wrestling with a big question — about audience strategy, pricing, programming, or anything else — don’t just ask AI to write. Ask it to think with you.

your friend,
Jen

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