Authentic engagement in a post-AI world

14 Jan 2025

Discover how authentic engagement can be redefined in a world shaped by artificial intelligence. Explore the challenges and opportunities of sincere human interaction in a technological future.

Can we still have a real conversation on Instagram? 🤔

As artificial intelligence (AI) integrates into our digital daily lives, it transforms the way we interact with others. Instagram, once a space where exchanges were largely human, is now also influenced by bots, automated responses, and hyper-personalized algorithms. So, in this increasingly technological context, can we still have a genuinely authentic conversation with a brand or a creator? And above all, how does this evolution affect users' perceptions of authentic engagement?

The rise of AI on Instagram: from bots to personalized conversations!

Instagram, like many other social platforms, has introduced more and more automated features. If in its early days, Instagram aimed to be a place for authentic sharing, today, AI plays a central role in managing interactions.

👉🏻 Chatbots: automated tools that respond to simple questions instantly. If a follower asks a question about a product or service, a bot can provide an answer in seconds, without human intervention.

👉🏻 Automated direct messages: Instagram allows businesses to schedule automated responses to direct messages. For example, a user asking a question about a product might receive an algorithm-generated response based on keywords in their message.

👉🏻 Ultra-precise personalization: AI analyses users' preferences, browsing history, and previous interactions to offer them targeted content and ads, as well as personalized messages.

These technologies appear to offer significant time savings and quicker responsiveness. But does this automation impact the authenticity of exchanges?

Artificial intelligence: a threat to the authenticity of exchanges?

One of the reasons Instagram is so popular is precisely the personal and spontaneous nature of its interactions. Users come to exchange, share, and discuss with other humans, not machines. But the increasing use of AI on the platform raises an essential question: can authenticity exist in a world where exchanges are automated?

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The blurred line between human and machine 🫣

As AI becomes increasingly sophisticated, it becomes difficult to distinguish between what is human and what is machine. Whether it’s a response from a chatbot or an automated message, it can sometimes be hard to know if one is talking to a real person or a program.

👉🏻 Chatbots and automated messages: Although they may seem personalized, these exchanges are often devoid of emotional context. For example, a standardized response to a delicate question can seem cold or lacking in sincerity.

👉🏻 User behaviour: Users are becoming increasingly sensitive to the presence of algorithms. If an interaction seems too mechanical or lacking nuance, it may be perceived as manipulation rather than a genuine conversation.

👉🏻 Transparency: Brands that use AI must be transparent about the use of these technologies. If a user engages in a conversation and discovers it is a bot responding, it can provoke a feeling of disconnection and harm the brand's image.

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Bots and the Evolution of Conversations on Instagram 🤳🏻

One of the great promises of AI technologies is the large-scale management of interactions. For a brand that receives hundreds, if not thousands, of messages and comments, the idea of responding to each user in a personalised way can seem impossible. This is where bots come into play.

But as these bots become smarter, how far can they go without harming the authenticity of exchanges?

👉🏻 The risk of dehumanisation: When a brand responds with a generic or automated message, the user may feel less important and have the impression that their opinion does not count.

👉🏻 The illusion of a personal conversation: Today, some bots are capable of maintaining a smooth conversation and adjusting tone based on the user’s responses. But, even though these exchanges may seem human, the absence of true emotional understanding is palpable.

👉🏻 A double-edged sword: If AI is used correctly, it can make the user experience smoother by providing instant and relevant responses. However, too much automation could also give the impression that the brand does not genuinely care about the individual.

AI and the Search for Authentic Engagement: Can the Two Be Combined?

AI does not necessarily have to be an enemy of authentic engagement. If used thoughtfully, it can complement the human experience without replacing it. For example, companies are beginning to use AI to:

👉🏻 Analyse tone and emotion in user messages to tailor responses and make the conversation more human.

👉🏻 Handle repetitive tasks like FAQs, which allows humans to focus on deeper, more personalised conversations.

👉🏻 Offer personalised interactions, while still leaving room for human exchange when the situation becomes more complex or requires special attention.

Some Guidelines for the Ethical Use of AI 🌱

👉🏻 Transparency: Informing users that the conversation is managed by a bot or automated system can prevent disappointment and help maintain trust.

👉🏻 Keeping a human touch: Even if a bot handles an initial conversation, human intervention should be possible at any time to resolve complex questions or create a deeper connection.

👉🏻 Targeted use: AI should be a tool, not an end in itself. It can be used to make the experience smoother and more responsive, but authenticity lies in the balance between automation and human intervention.

The Limits of AI: Towards a Deeper 'Humanisation'?

AI has the potential to complement authentic engagement, but it can never fully replace humans. Users know that machines have no heart or emotions, and they only feel a real connection with human beings.

Here are some reflections to consider if you want to further humanise your interactions on Instagram in an increasingly automated world:

👉🏻 Emotional Awareness: A chatbot can provide a quick response, but it can never understand the emotions behind a message. You should use AI to support interactions but not to completely replace them.

👉🏻 Transparency and Sincerity: When AI is used ethically, it does not harm authenticity. On the contrary, it can enhance the user experience by making it smoother, quicker, but also more personalised.

👉🏻 A Delicate Balance: The key to authentic engagement in a post-AI world lies in the balance between automation and human connection. Machines can facilitate certain tasks, but it is humans who are capable of creating true bonds.

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Conclusion

In this post-AI world, authenticity is not a lost value, but a quality to be preserved. Instagram remains, above all, a space where users seek genuine connections. Authenticity is an art that remains fundamentally human. At My name is Bond, we use AI to boost your presence on social media through our agents 🕵🏻 (humans).

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