Is ChatGPT PR-Tested?

Instant, Uncanny, but Still Lacking for PR Pros

Over the weekend, I read a piece in the WashPost on how the high cost of EVs is a deterrent to the green energy transition, even with the $7500 federal tax credit. Others news orgs including the LA Times and Axios have weighed in on this theme, no doubt pegged to the news of Tesla’s price cut and the growing competitive EV landscape.

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Another meme filling my news streams involved OpenAI and its uncanny, AI-driven content creation tool ChatGPT. I thought I’d try a little experiment involving both media narratives by putting the following query into the ChatGPT engine:

Draft a story proposal to the New York Times Opinion section on the subject of the high cost of electric vehicles.”

Within seconds of hitting return, ChatGPT churned out the following well-written and organized prose.

Title: “The High Cost of Going Green: The Financial Burden of Electric Vehicles”

Synopsis:

Electric vehicles (EVs) have been touted as the solution to reducing carbon emissions and fighting climate change. However, despite their environmental benefits, many people are deterred from buying EVs because of their high cost. This is a significant barrier for many, particularly low-income households and communities of color, who are already disproportionately impacted by the effects of climate change. This opinion piece will explore the financial burden of EVs, the reasons for their high cost, and the potential solutions to make them more affordable for all.

Body:

The cost of EVs has been decreasing over the past few years, but it still remains a significant barrier for many people. The average price of a new EV is around $55,000, while the average price of a new gas-powered car is around $37,000. This means that even with federal and state incentives, many people still cannot afford to buy an EV.

One of the main reasons for the high cost of EVs is the cost of the batteries. The batteries used in EVs are expensive to produce and are one of the most significant components of the vehicle. The cost of batteries has been decreasing over the past few years, but it is still a major factor in the high cost of EVs.

Another reason for the high cost of EVs is the lack of competition in the market. Currently, there are only a few major manufacturers of EVs, which limits competition and keeps prices high. Additionally, the lack of infrastructure for charging EVs, particularly in low-income communities and communities of color, also adds to the financial burden.

To address the high cost of EVs, there are several solutions that can be implemented. One solution is for the government to provide more financial incentives for people to buy EVs, such as tax credits or rebates. This would make EVs more affordable for many people. Additionally, the government can invest in infrastructure for charging EVs in low-income communities and communities of color, which would also make them more accessible.

Another solution is to increase competition in the market by encouraging more manufacturers to produce EVs. This would drive down prices and make them more affordable for all. Additionally, research and development into new battery technologies can also help to decrease the cost of EVs.

Conclusion: 

Electric vehicles are an important step in reducing carbon emissions and fighting climate change. However, their high cost is a significant barrier for many, particularly low-income households and communities of color. To address this issue, the government needs to provide more financial incentives, invest in infrastructure, and increase competition in the market. This way everyone can have the option to go green and fight climate change.

I don’t know, but something seems to be missing in ChatGPT’s output. It could be a lack of prosaic flair or simply a point of view. Yes, it’s well-written and its conclusion is correct. It also includes a stat or two to support the premise. Nonetheless, it needs more. You decide.

Does ChatGPT have value for PR pros? It most certainly does! Minimally, the quality of its “writing” surpasses that of many PR firms (in my experience). However, I’d caution against using unedited, AI-created content as the final product for content marketing and journalist engagement.

And in some late-breaking news from Axios, the folks at OpenAI have introduced a tool that can decipher between AI and human-created content, lest you want to pull one over on an editor.

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