A Rocky Start with AI
AI and I didn’t exactly hit it off at first. I had a lot of concerns about the environmental impact, the doomsday predictions, I mean, have you watched Terminator? There are still plenty of scary thoughts about how AI could go off the rails, but I’ve realised there’s duality here, exciting predictions about how it can also help us. Every piece of technology, every advancement, comes with both positives, negatives and usually a side helping of fear. It’s how we choose to use it that matters. What do we do with our superpowers?
AI is here to stay!
I’ve been making digital products since 2001, when I launched my first game on a CD-ROM! I’ve seen the introduction of digital photography, digital video, the death of several programming languages and tools. Since then, I’ve learned multiple programming languages, adapted to new technologies, and reinvented the wheel more times than I can count. I’m not about to sit back and ignore AI when it’s about to revolutionise our industry. A good programmer, business owner always moves with the times and looks for the advantages and where they align with your mission, values and how we can give those benefits to our clients!
Nine Months Of All Out AI Embracing
The last 9 months have been spent overcoming my concerns, and deep-diving into AI – figuring out what I really think of it, how I can use it, where it’s advantageous, and where it falls short.
I started using it for a bit of code hinting here and there, and yes, it was a mixed bag at first. Sometimes the AI was bang on, and other times it sent me down a rabbit hole. AI isn’t a replacement for developer skills, but it can augment them. And the more you use it, the better you get at keeping it on a tight rein, increasing the chances of it giving you useful help.
Then the real experimentation began
I worked with an AI startup for 9 months and learned how to combine AI tools, I’ve experimented with coding tools, spent weeks and weeks building little AI-powered apps using a variety of tools, built amazing automations that have literally taken my breath (and my Scottish accent) away and explored a whole host of different coding environments.
From Sceptic to Advocate – Where AI Really Shines
And where I’ve really seen AI shine? Prototyping, wireframing, and very quick websites expertly crafted.
AI can take those messy, half-formed ideas in your head, help organise and clarify them, and even generate a logical wireframe of what your site should include. Combining the right mix of AI tools, I’ve been able to get simple websites built really fast. Weidling AI with experienced hands, these websites are highly performant, great for SEO, accessibility and usability.
A New Business Idea – Human Touch AI
So now, we’re launching a new arm of our business Human Touch AI using a curated set of AI tools to build small websites, quickly and efficiently.
For years, we’d largely ignored small websites builds. There are so many DIY tools out there, or easy options for quick builds, that we didn’t feel it was an optimal use of our skill and experience. We often referred clients to other options we felt were more cost effective for them. From This Day have typically stepped in once people have hit limitations with their first or second website, and realised they need someone who really knows user journeys, how to hone user experience, and create bespoke solutions.
But with AI, small websites are something we can revisit wholeheartedly, bringing great value! And of course, once you need more from your website we know just how to develop your website for growth.
A Fascinating, Low-Carbon Cherry On Top
Human Touch AI website took about three to four hours to make, and the process can be optimised even further.
The most fascinating part? This website has the best carbon score of almost any site I’ve ever built. It’s tiny, clean, and doesn’t rely on a CMS or a complex backend. Just a super-lightweight site built by AI sitting on our standard low-carbon website hosting.
If we’d built this site the old-fashioned way, it would have taken several days – sitting at my computer, running the machines, burning through energy. AI tools may use a lot of computing power in the short term, but by using them for a fraction of the time, it would be incredible hard to compare the carbon cost but I would estimate it to be less using the AI tools. What I can say for sure, is that because the final site is so minimal and efficient, every visit from now on uses far less energy than it would have with a traditional build, so the ongoing carbon use is reduced dramatically.
Please note, this low carbon score was not completely out of the box, this is because we have the experience and knowledge to apply what we know to prompt the AI tools most effectively and prepare any additional assets optimally.
The Big Picture
This experience has been a real eye-opener: AI can be used for good or bad. It’s all about how we choose to wield it. As with everything we do, we’ll be using AI thoughtfully, and are delighted to offer even smaller clients a great option for their first websites!
Please see my post on Why We’re Rethinking Low Carbon Web Design to understand the complex nature of achieving a good score and why a low carbon score is not realistic for all businesses.
