AI in Digital Marketing: How Businesses and Nonprofits Spark Growth and Purpose

When I first read that IBM laid off 8,000 employees in 2023 because of AI, I’ll admit, I felt a mix of emotions. My first thought was about the people who lost their jobs. I imagined the anxiety they must have felt, and I wondered, Did AI not work for IBM? Did they have second thoughts? But as I dug into the article, I realized it wasn’t that AI failed. It’s that IBM learned a powerful truth: AI can handle repetitive tasks brilliantly—but it can’t replace human-to-human connection, creativity, or strategic thinking. And honestly? That made me feel relieved.

I’ve always believed that humanity isn’t lost to AI. AI might be fast and smart, but it doesn’t feel. It doesn’t carry stories in its bones. Humans should always stay in control, because there’s no technology on Earth that can outdo us when it comes to empathy and the human touch.

Seeing IBM’s Lesson in Real Life

IBM has been around for over a century, and even they’re jumping on the AI bandwagon to stay competitive for another 100 years. It impressed me that such a well-respected company has people smart enough to admit AI’s limits. But IBM’s story isn’t unique. I’ve watched the same thing play out with some of our own clients.

A few businesses we’ve worked with had to shut down because AI changed their industries almost overnight- resume writers, social media professionals, and others who didn’t adapt. It’s not because they weren’t talented. It’s because AI shifted the playing field faster than anyone expected. At the same time, businesses and nonprofits who embraced AI wisely are discovering something incredible: AI can save time and money, which they can then pour back into what matters most.

And that’s where real power, and the hope, lies.

AI in 2025: A Lot Has Changed

Back in 2022, we interviewed Chris Lu, Co-Founder of CopyAI, on the WE Pivot Podcast. He shared a belief that resonated with me deeply back then:

“True copywriting is the communication of ideas, thoughts, and experiences with your fellow human beings. AI don’t start businesses. But people do. And its people’s stories that matter.” At the time, he was partly right.

But fast forward to 2025, and I’ll be the first to say: AI’s path has been more unpredictable than any of us imagined. AI didn’t just stay in the lane of “helping humans write.” Over these past few years, it’s become capable of running entire departments because it’s been trained on the collective thoughts, strategies, and ideas of nearly everyone in the world.

And yes—that means AI has replaced some jobs.

But I also believe this: even as AI grows smarter, there’s always going to be a demand for the human piece. The ability to tell stories, connect emotionally, and build real relationships. That’s something AI will never truly replicate.

The Biggest Misconception About AI

If there’s one thing I wish more people understood about AI, it’s that Using AI doesn’t mean you’re cheating yourself. Some people think if you use AI, you’ve skipped critical thinking, or that you’re just looking for a shortcut to get rich quick. But that’s not how it works. AI is a tool. It helps you get the ideas in your head out onto paper faster. It helps you see angles you might not have thought of. It makes you more efficient and creative, not less. And when used the right way, AI frees you to do more of the work that truly matters.

How AI Has Helped Us at Haywood Digital Marketing

Since 2022, HAYWOOD Digital Marketing has been working with AI tools daily. Personally, AI has:

• Helped our company write more relatable content

• Given us new ideas for how to tell stories

• Saved us countless hours in our work

One of the biggest things I’ve realized is that the way people connect with brands today is through real human stories, emotion, and vulnerability. That’s what builds trust. When I share my genuine thoughts, my curiosity, my “aha” moments, even my doubts, our company instantly becomes more relatable and magnetic. AI has been a big part of helping us do that more consistently.

Of course, AI can also be frustrating sometimes. Especially when I have to remind it who I am because Tona and I are both working in the same system and it mixes up our voices. But even with those bumps, I’m still excited about what AI makes possible.

Why I Care About This Topic

I care enough to write about this because I know firsthand how powerful AI can be.

I’ve used AI to study, to brainstorm, and to answer complex questions, and it’s delivered every time. I’ve seen how it can help businesses and organizations become more efficient, more creative, and more impactful. But I’ve also seen how fast things can change—and how important it is to keep the human element at the center of everything we do.

That’s why Tona and I have poured our hearts into building tools that help people use AI the right way—not to replace them, but to empower them.

How Haywood Digital Marketing’s Ultimate Generators Fit Into This Vision

Here’s the thing: not all AI tools are created equal. Some crank out generic content that sounds robotic. Others miss the mark completely when it comes to capturing your unique voice.

That’s why at Haywood Digital Marketing, Tona and I built our Ultimate Generators—a suite of tools designed to bridge the gap between automation and authentic human storytelling.

• Ultimate Audience Refiner Tool: Helps you clearly define and understand your ideal audience, so you’re marketing always hits the right notes.

• Ultimate Email Creator: Writes engaging email sequences tailored to your unique voice and designed to connect with real people.

• Ultimate Social Media Post Creator: Generates scroll-stopping social media posts that feel genuine, not generic, saving you hours of brainstorming.

At Haywood Digital Marketing, Tona and I have poured our years of experience into building tools that actually reflect how real businesses and nonprofits work. Our Ultimate Generators are shaped by our deep background in digital marketing, web design, and technical support, plus insights we’ve gathered over more than a decade working with clients.

We built these tools to bridge the gap between AI automation and authentic human storytelling so they’re not just generic content machines. They’re built to help businesses and nonprofits communicate in their own voice and tackle real-world challenges. These tools aren’t about replacing you—they’re about equipping you. They help businesses and nonprofits show up more consistently, save valuable time, and communicate with purpose. And the best part? When you save time and money with smart AI tools, you can reinvest those resources into:

• Hiring talented team members

• Funding new programs or services

• Expanding your reach into new audiences

• Building deeper, more meaningful relationships with customers and supporters

Because ultimately, AI should help you do more of the work that truly matters.

AI for Good: A Powerful Opportunity for Businesses and Nonprofits.

This lesson is crucial for both businesses and nonprofits. When used well, business operations and AI in digital marketing can:

• Cut costs on repetitive, low-value tasks

• Speed up time-to-market

• Free up staff for creative and strategic roles

• Enable reinvestment into impactful projects

In other words, AI doesn’t mean fewer jobs, it means better allocation of talent and resources. And that’s exactly what we’re passionate about at Haywood Digital Marketing.

A Real-World Example: Port of Missions

Let’s bring this closer to home. At Port of Missions, a Milwaukee nonprofit serving the homeless community, we’ve helped them integrate AI into their marketing efforts. Using tools like our Ultimate Generators, they:

• Draft blog posts sharing stories from the people they serve

• Write heartfelt emails that resonate with donors

• Create consistent, mission-driven social media content

The result? Time and money saved through automation now go directly back into the mission—buying essentials like hygiene kits, clothing, and bus cards for people who need them most. That’s AI for Good in action.

The Bottom Line: AI Isn’t the End of Human Work — It’s the Start of Something Better

IBM’s journey makes one thing crystal clear: AI can handle tasks, but it can’t replace the human heart, creativity, or lived experience. AI isn’t simply about eliminating jobs, it’s about freeing people to focus on the work that truly matters. At Haywood Digital Marketing, we believe the smartest way forward is to use AI as a partner—a tool to help you work smarter, communicate more effectively, and invest your resources where they’ll make the biggest difference. When used intentionally and ethically, AI has the power to spark purpose, growth, and real human connection.

So, if you’re ready to explore how AI can help your business or nonprofit:

• Save time and money

• Communicate with greater impact

• Reinvest in what matters most

Contact us today. Let’s discover how AI In Digital Marketing can help you in your business or organization.