MC.89: Why is OpenAI paying $400k/yr for someone to do this?

OpenAI recently opened a position for a Content Strategist at ChatGPT.com, something that raised eyebrows, even amusement.

After all, isn’t AI supposed to replace roles like this? If AI’s promise is to automate content strategy, why is OpenAI hiring a human expert?

This contradiction reveals a deep tension in the AI conversation, in marketing, positioning, and expectations.

The Common Misconception: AI as a Full Replacement

It’s tempting to say AI will soon do all your work, making some roles obsolete. The idea of an AI autonomously running content strategy sounds futuristic and even scary. But those who use AI daily experience a different truth:

AI is a powerful accelerator and augmenter, not a replacement.

At Alter, we’ve integrated AI at the very core of our workflows. The real magic happens when humans and AI collaborate, humans provide context, judgment, and creativity; AI provides speed, scale, and automation of repetitive parts.

Why Humans Still Matter

The new Content Strategist role at OpenAI showcases what’s essential in the post-AI job landscape:

1. Human in the loop: You need experts to oversee AI output, make final calls, and ensure responsibility. AI can assist but can’t replace nuanced decision-making and ethical judgement.

2. Opportunity spotting: Humans are best at sensing opportunities and shaping strategic directions where AI cannot independently foresee impact or cultural nuance.

3. Voice and tone mastery: Crafting voice that resonates globally requires empathy and insight beyond pure data or automation.

4. Complex workflows: AI helps on sequences of the workflow, writing drafts, SEO, content experimentation, but expert guidance integrates these tasks seamlessly.

From Replacement to Augmentation

This hiring move by OpenAI invites us to rethink the narrative. Instead of rushing to call it proof that “AI doesn’t work,” it’s better to deconstruct what the human role truly is and how AI supplements it.

The future of work with AI is not AI or human. It’s AI plus human.

Cheers,
Olivier

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1  Since we wrote this piece, previous models are now back for plus users