Episode 262

Avoiding AI Slop: Best Practices from the Human Framework

AI is transforming how we create content, but there’s also a growing problem: AI slop. It’s the flood of auto-generated videos, images, and text that takes up space without adding value; and we’re seeing it everywhere. So how do you use AI to enhance your work without the noise?  

Host Matt Pierce introduces TechSmith’s HUMAN Framework, a practical approach to keeping the human element at the center of AI-assisted content creation.  

We hear why your expertise and lived experience gives you access to nuance that AI can’t replicate, how authenticity has become currency in content creation, and why treating AI as a thought partner rather than a replacement leads to better outcomes.  

Matt also shares TechSmith’s philosophy on AI integration, including their approach to control and customization in tools like Camtasia AI. While AI is the worst it's ever going to be (meaning it will only get better), the choices we make now about how we use it will determine whether we're creating valuable content or just more noise. 

Learning points from the episode include: 

  • 00:00 - 02:01 What AI slop is and why being able to identify it is crucial 
  • 02:01 - 02:28 TechSmith Unlocked event announcement  
  • 02:28 - 03:23 Introducing the HUMAN Framework acronym  
  • 03:23 - 04:40 H - Harness your expertise 
  • 04:40 - 05:38 How humans have access to nuance through lived experiences 
  • 05:38 - 07:47 U - Understand your audience.  
  • 07:47 - 09:00 M - Make it authentic, not artificial  
  • 09:00 - 10:31 A - Aim for better, not just faster  
  • 10:31 - 11:52 N - Never skip reviews  
  • 11:52 - 12:30 How to use the framework as your guide 
  • 12:30 - 13:00 Why you need to choose tools that keep you in control of the output 
  • 13:00 - 13:28 The importance of ethical AI partnerships  
  • 13:28 - 15:40 Control and customization in Camtasia AI  
  • 15:40 - 16:30 AI as an augmentation tool 
  • 16:30 - 17:17 Outro  

 Important links and mentions: 

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About the Podcast

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The Visual Lounge
Discussions about the power of visuals and videos and how to make them even better.

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About your host

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Matthew Pierce

Matthew Pierce, Learning & Video Ambassador from TechSmith Corporation, has created videos for learning and marketing for over a decade. He is the lead behind TechSmith Academy, a free platform teaching video and image creation for business, which has been used by tens of thousands of users. He is the host of The Visual Lounge Podcast from TechSmith, which streams live on Youtube and LinkedIn weekly. Matthew is a regular speaker at multiple learning and development-focused conferences and is a regular contributor to various training publications. Connect with him on LinkedIn.