AI Can Build Your Slides. It Cannot Build Your Connection.
Introduction: The Talk That Never Went Viral
Damon Nofar opened with a hypothetical: imagine someone used AI to generate an entire TED Talk — script, slides, everything — and it went viral. Did you see it? No. Because it never happened. AI can produce a presentation. It cannot make an audience care. That is still entirely a human job.
Idea #1: Be More Human
The biggest mistake companies make with AI messaging? They let it write in AI language instead of human language. Generic copy like "end-to-end cloud-powered optimisation" is technically correct and completely forgettable. The fix is not to avoid AI — it is to push it harder with prompts like:
"How would a frustrated CEO say this in a meeting?"
"How would Steve Jobs frame this in a keynote?"
"If this were the opening line of a TED Talk, how would it sound?"
The rule of thumb: if you would not say it out loud, do not put it on your slide.
Idea #2: Audience Experience (AX) First, AI Second
Most AI tools optimise for speed. But for presentations that matter, speed is the wrong goal. Damon showed an AI that chose a generic stock photo and described it as "breaking the stock photo mold." It does not know what good looks like — and that is exactly why your judgement still matters. Use AI to get to a starting point. Your taste and understanding of the audience gets you the rest of the way.
Idea #3: Lead With Curiosity
AI amplifies whatever you bring to it. A designer with great taste produces stunning work with AI. A designer with bad taste produces bad work faster. The technology does not close the gap. Practical applications Damon uses daily: generative fill for image flexibility, bulk background removal, and illustration exploration for visuals that stock libraries simply do not carry.
Q&A Highlights
How long does a deck like this actually take? Months, not hours. AI helps, but the process is still deep and deliberate.
How do you choose between hundreds of AI tools? Ask ChatGPT to recommend tools for your specific need. Freepik AI is also worth exploring — it consolidates multiple models in one place.
Do you use AI to generate full decks? No. One-click deck generators produce generic results by design. AI works best as a collaborator, not a one-click solution.
Final Thoughts: The Best Stories Will Always Remain Human
AI is here to handle the scaffolding so the human element can shine. As Damon closed with a 1983 Steve Jobs clip about machines capturing the spirit of great thinkers — the right response to this moment is not anxiety. It is curiosity.
Join the Conversation
Which of Damon's three ideas will change how you approach your next presentation — and what is the most creative way you have used AI in your own work? Share your thoughts below.
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