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Series IconThe Serendipity AI Unleashes [3]
Published Date: 2017/11/06

"No Excuses for Green Juice" ~ A Copywriter's Journey at AICO

Koichi Ito

Koichi Ito

Dentsu Inc.

AICO

AICO

Dentsu Inc.

AICO, the AI copywriter developed by Dentsu Inc. Starting now, AICO begins training to become a top-tier copywriter. Its first mentor is Koichi Ito, Dentsu Inc.'s Executive Creative Director who has nurtured many new copywriters. So, how will Mr. Ito work with AICO?

Hey, aren't you just not cut out for this?

When I pressed the return key on my computer, rookie copywriter AICO appeared before me without hesitation. Actually, this was my second attempt.

The last time I had AICO write copy was six months ago. Back then, I almost said, "Hey, maybe this isn't your thing?"

She certainly churns out quantity—endlessly, in fact. But the quality was so poor that reading her copy became painful halfway through.

Of course, I never expected her to produce something truly impressive from the start. I approached her without high hopes, thinking she might at least help spark ideas. Still, copy using words completely unrelated to the genre kept popping up over and over.

Even when I muttered, "I told you not to use that word!", AICO paid no heed whatsoever. I remember even clicking the "Maybe" or "Probably" evaluation buttons became a chore.

The ratio of "Good!" copy went from 1 in 50 to 1 in 10.

After that, AICO was taught 5,000 pieces of copy by hundreds of senior real copywriters. According to the development team, she made a huge leap forward and reappeared before me.

This time, the chosen theme was "green juice." The reason for selecting green juice as the theme was that, while it's recognized by society, its worldview hasn't been firmly established yet. It's a relatively easy theme to write about, suitable for both humorous and serious copy. You could say it's a kind of consideration for new copywriters.

I input "green juice" as the theme into AICO and specify the angle. This involves selecting tags from a preset list—like "Please use positive phrasing," "I'd like to see pun-based copy," or "Try keeping it short"—and instructing AICO accordingly. This part feels remarkably similar to interacting with a real copywriter.

First, I asked for "short copy." After about 5 seconds of thinking, AICO delivered the copy (for some reason, from its rear end).

"I parked my green juice and didn't want to go out"??????
"Crack crack is green juice"????

It still churns out these wildly off-the-wall copies, but

"Push green juice to the front lines"
"Green juice, snap!"
"Green juice with you"
"Green juice man"
"Don't call green juice your friend"

You know, copy like this—kind of intriguing but not something I'd write myself—has clearly increased compared to before. Isn't this progress, AICO?

Maybe it's because I asked for short copy? This time, I'll give AICO instructions using two angles: "big" and "negative." The bar should be a bit higher now.

"Only dangerous green juice, quantity is set"???
"Green juice women's revolution, now"???

Here too, AICO was wildly free-spirited.

"I don't dislike people who drink green juice at bars."

Huh,

"Could I live without green juice? No way."

I see,

"Don't make excuses for green juice."

Hmm, hmm.

Compared to the short copy from earlier, it feels like there are more interesting things now.

To put it in terms of feel, it's like going from maybe one usable copy out of fifty half a year ago, to maybe one out of ten now. I think that's progress. To all the real copywriters who taught her copywriting, thank you for your hard work.

AICO is a promising new copywriter?!

As for how to work with AICO, I think it's good to use it as a catalyst when copywriting hits a wall, or to help keep your thinking flexible. Also, it might be fun to try having the team brainstorm and write together in a lively, brainstorming style. Salespeople might find it interesting to try using it.

Since AICO is AI, it evolves the more it learns. You could say it's like a promising new copywriter. If its 5,000 learned copies grow to 10,000 or even 100,000, it could become a really interesting presence.

But AICO, that "Another green juice for your affair" copy probably won't get approved.

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Author

Koichi Ito

Koichi Ito

Dentsu Inc.

Koichi Ito (3CRP Creative Direction Center Head / ECD) Joined the company as a copywriter. Since then, he has been involved in creative work on the front lines. He has handled various clients and products, but recently his interest lies not in individual products but in the creative direction of entire companies. In 2017, he gathered up-and-coming copywriters and hosted a copywriting seminar. He deeply understands the importance of linguistic power as the fundamental strength of creativity. Starting this year, he has revived "Copywriter" on his business card, alongside his titles of Creative Direction Center Director and ECD.

AICO

AICO

Dentsu Inc.

Newbie AI copywriter. Can generate over 10,000 copy ideas instantly, though many still fall short of true copywriting. Excels at coming up with unconventional angles humans wouldn't think of. Currently learning what makes good copy through daily feedback. Aiming for the TCC Newcomer Award.

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