How to Use AI Design Tools to Create Better Presentations Faster

Like everyone, the SlideRabbit team is getting excited about the new AI design tools emerging and how they might revolutionize the industry. AI is able to generate new ideas and create novel solutions for creative problems at incredible speeds.

Like all new technologies, many are scrambling to figure out how to harness the new abilities to their advantage. And others are ringing the death knell for creative industries.

But in reality, it’s important to remember that technological advances have always affected the creative space. Digital photo editing changed the way photographers produced work, but it also allowed them to find new expressions in their art.

The question to ask is not the fatalistic: Will AI design tools replace artists?

But rather: What will AI inspire the creatives among us to create?

Are AI design tools all that new?

Not really! Canva, one of the first design generators for non-designers was launched in 2012, over 10 years ago. Microsoft got into the game with the in-PPT version of their new Designer tool in 2015.

If you’ve used either one, you’ve seen that generated design ideas still need a lot of refinement for quality and brand adherence.

But that doesn’t mean they aren’t a great place to start. Using AI design tools, designers can reduce time in brain-storming and option-exploration mode, and instead, skip to the the improvement and refinement stage.

What new AI design tools are emerging?

It’s hard to have missed the recent groundswell of chatter around AI design tools. So even though not all AI is new, there are some recent breakthroughs that could mean big things for presentation production.

Text creation

Sure, Gmail has been guessing your email phrases for a while now, but ChatGPT and Bard are a new ball game. These text generators are pulling content from huge knowledge bases and improving continuously.

If, for instance, one needed content for a presentation on the benefits of orange juice, hours of research can be replaced instantly with a simple question to ChatGPT.

We asked:

What are the health benefits of orange juice?

And ChatGPT supplied:

Orange juice is a popular beverage that is enjoyed around the world. It is made by squeezing the juice from fresh oranges, and it is a good source of several essential nutrients. Some of the potential health benefits of orange juice include:

1. Vitamin C: Orange juice is a good source of vitamin C, an important antioxidant that helps protect your body from damage caused by free radicals. Vitamin C is also important for immune function, wound healing, and the absorption of iron.
2. Folate: Orange juice is a good source of folate, a B-vitamin that is important for the production of red blood cells and for the development of the nervous system in fetuses.
3. Potassium: Orange juice is a good source of potassium, a mineral that is important for maintaining a healthy blood pressure and for proper nerve and muscle function.
4. Antioxidants: Orange juice contains several antioxidants, including flavonoids and carotenoids, which have been linked to a reduced risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease and cancer.
5. Hydration: Orange juice is a good source of hydration, which is important for overall health and well-being.

It’s worth noting that some types of orange juice may contain added sugars, which can contribute to weight gain and other health problems. To maximize the health benefits of orange juice, it’s best to choose a variety that is 100% pure orange juice, with no added sugars or other additives. Additionally, orange juice is high in natural sugars, so it’s important to consume it in moderation as part of a balanced diet.

The AI not only answered the question, but also supplied important tangential information, like some potential disadvantages and things to watch out for when selecting an orange juice.

However, it’s important to verify. Even the creators of these AI tools admit that in their current stages it is possible, maybe even likely, that the AI may supply inaccurate or nonsensical information.

Image generation

Image generators take a text prompt and create images that meet those criteria. Perhaps our presentation on orange juice could really benefit from some stock of a woman enjoying a glass.

Currently the images are a little horror-inspiring in their “almost human”-ness.

Here are some results for woman drinking orange juice:

images from: stockimg.ai, fotor.com, deepai.org

Clearly, we have a ways to go before AI design tools can truly understand and replicate life-like imagery.

But, we can see how improved image generators could be an incredible time and budget saver. Need a super specific image, potentially that includes product placement? Order it up on an AI design tool. Flair.ai seems especially promising for this use case.

Image generators could be a solution that not only saves time but also supplies tailored options, with no photoshoot required.

Beware the potential pitfalls

OpenAI’s list of limitations for ChatGPT clearly illustrates that while the current results are amazing, they are far from perfect. Relying too squarely on un-supervised AI design tools can carry risks. So again, use your AI as a jumping off point, but don’t trash your human overlords just yet.

Similarly, AI art is still developing and can still be distinguishable from real life images or human-generated art.

We asked the expert:

Why are real presentation designers better than AI designers?

And ChatGPT supplied the following:

Real presentation designers are not necessarily “better” than AI designers; it depends on the context and the desired outcome. Both human designers and AI designers have their own unique strengths and weaknesses.

Human designers bring creativity, intuition, and emotional intelligence to the design process, which allows them to create presentations that are engaging and memorable. They are also able to understand the client’s needs, goals, and audience in a way that AI designers currently cannot.

On the other hand, AI designers have the ability to process and analyze vast amounts of data in a short amount of time. They can quickly generate multiple design options and optimize them based on specific criteria, such as brand guidelines or audience preferences. They are also able to work at a much faster pace than human designers, which can be especially useful in tight deadline situations.

In summary, the superiority of one over the other depends on the particular task and the desired outcome. In some cases, a human designer may be better suited to the task, while in other cases, an AI designer may be the better choice.

What might the future hold?

We may learn that AI will not be able to make the jump to emulating true human-like thought, reasoning, and creation. Or that they are easily manipulable and unsafe for use in professional settings without the kind of oversight they still need now.

But, AI is continually improving at a rapid pace. By using competing systems to generate images and then test them against real life images, AI design tools can continue to improve themselves, potentially until it is nearly impossible to distinguish the work of AI design tools from the real thing.

WANT TO UP YOUR PRESENTATION GAME?

Whether it’s help with your design or a workshop for your team, let us help!

SlideRabbit is a presentation-focused agency. From slide design to template construction to narrative sculpting and concept generation, we help our clients keep the attention of their audiences. Excellent Presentation Design: 7 Things to Know

All presentation design is custom for each client, fully editable, and brand adherent. We work in both PowerPoint and Google Slides.

Looking to train up your team? We also provide workshops, ranging from technical training to how to think like a presentation designer.

Reach us at hello@sliderabbit.com.

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