When the boss/client says “ChatGPT disagrees”

First, an unanticipated consequence of AI on PR.

Then the most fun P.S. I’ve ever written.

Last week two of my Inner Circle members got the same note from different clients: “ChatGPT says you’re doing it wrong.”

When clients over-rely on AI answers

Fees: Client sent back a contract unsigned, quoting a ChatGPT claim that some fees weren’t “industry standard.”

Moral: AI can’t see scope, risk, or your expertise – only averages.

Our Inner Circle member wisely pulled back from the relationship.

TM symbol: Another client forwarded an AI blurb insisting every press release must include the trademark symbol after the company name or risk damages. Get this – our Inner Circle member has issued releases for this client for 10 YEARS without it.

Moral: Style and context are more important than blanket rules, but it takes expertise to know when and why.

Our member Jeff Pizzino made a strong case to the CEO why this was the wrong move and prevailed.

The AI is a distraction from what’s really happening here

Anyone can tweak a prompt or question to get the answer they want.

When this happens to you (and it will), remember: This isn’t about the tool, it’s about respect for your expertise as a PR pro.

AI bots deliver the average of all the information available on a topic. To avoid getting an email that claims “ChatGPT says you’re doing it wrong,” you need to consistently prove to your clients and bosses that you’re above average.

Prove you’re the expert before you’re tested

Don’t YOU cite AI as your authority. Your boss or client can and will use the same move against you.

Also, don’t get sucked into debating the relative accuracy of AI responses. Many can be very helpful! Recenter the discussion on context, stakes, and outcomes.

Proactively prove your expertise. When you share media placements, give a tiny play-by-play of how you pulled it off. Same when you talk a journalist down from a possible negative story.

When you have a big win, point out the projects or initiatives you DIDN’T pursue that allowed you to have the bandwidth for this success.

This might sound like bragging, but not if you frame it right. Most of the above can be handled as either praise for a teammate or gratitude to a boss or client contact for approvals/license to pursue the winning strategy.

Yes, it may be a teeny bit frustrating to feel like you’re always proving yourself.

But that beats losing an argument to a chatbot.

P.S. As my longtime webinar producer, Camille heard me harp on “diplomatic tenacity” in pitching. Off the clock and while juggling four young kids, she chased her own dream: becoming a published novelist. She had pitched 60 literary agents with no bites. Then one finally replied . . . but went dark.

Feel familiar? She nudged a few times. Nothing. A month later, she repurposed a follow-up line from one of our webinars. And got this: “So sorry, I thought I responded but the message was still in my drafts!”

That was two years ago . . . and her debut novel “Better than Gelato” launched last week! Legit publisher and all. Under her pen name Libby Tanner, she’s already signed a deal for two sequels. I was often LOLing just reading her routine work emails to me, so I knew this book would be funny. If you like hilarious closed-door romcoms, grab a copy and support the former-PR-pro-turned-novelist trend!