The 90-Day AI Content Experiment
I committed to running our content marketing operation exclusively on AI tools for 90 days. No external writers, no stock photo subscriptions, no traditional research processes. Here's what I learned — including the parts that didn't work.
The Tool Stack
Jasper AI for first drafts, Claude for research synthesis and editing, Surfer SEO for optimization, Midjourney for hero images, Canva AI for social graphics, and Buffer for scheduling. Total monthly cost: $340.
What Actually Worked
Volume increased 4x — from 8 to 32 pieces of content per month. Social media presence became consistent for the first time. The research process for industry topics got dramatically faster. Cost per piece dropped from $180 (external writers) to $10.
What Didn't Work
AI struggled with original opinions, controversial takes, and content requiring genuine industry expertise and relationships. Interviews, case studies, and data journalism still required human effort. The best-performing content combined AI efficiency with human expertise and perspective.
The Real Lesson
AI tools are excellent at research, structure, and execution. They're weak at original perspective, relationship-driven content, and nuanced industry judgment. The winning formula: AI handles 70% of the production work, humans provide the 30% that makes content worth reading.