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Gina Bianchini
Social media taught people at scale to value their opinions more than, you know, facts or truth or stuff like that. And I'm not like saying that from a political perspective. And the reason that happened was because every day for two decades now, people have been prompted with what are you doing? What do you think? What's on your mind? It's about the person. And that has created, created some challenges in societal structure. I'm not a doomer here, but it, it's changed things. Now we're moving from social to what I would call synthetic people. So the thing about it is the more time we spend with synthetic people, the worse we get at being in community with real people, without the kind of people magic that we are so passionate here at Mighty Hours. Hey, I'm Gina Bianchini and this is People Magic, where we talk about how to build a $1 million community and a business that you can be proud of. Hey Gina, what are the most common ways people are using AI in community? I think about this question a lot and I also talk to our hosts across Mighty about how they're using AI. And I'll even expand it out a little bit beyond community as well to how are creators using AI in their day to day systems? So the first and most obvious one is content production. And I think this is certainly true for creators at large and in a community, content production is everything that you think it is. It is. How are you coming up with new courses and course outlines? How are you writing articles and being able to use ChatGPT or Claude to be able to help you write articles or help you structure your framework? Another really obvious example is how do you take your basic course or your basic structure or framework and make it personalized or tailored to individual transitions or use cases. So for example, if you are building something that is all about freelance and freelancers for moms of three kids, freelancers in Colorado, social media strategy, the list goes on. So your ability to use AI to take fundamental concepts and personalize them in smaller or more narrow ways, really powerful. And we see it all the time. Now here's the downside of this. When you use AI for content production, a lot of it is really mediocre. It's really mediocre. So one of the things I think is so important if you are creating content for a community especially is that you are not just trying to produce a bunch of content and like pat yourself on the back because you posted your article for the week or you did your email newsletter for the week. It's so clearly written by AI. You just don't want to do that. Like, I find it's really helpful as a brainstorming partner. I find it's really helpful to get sort of the basic outline of my own notes, but I've had to basically tell I use Claude, probably more than ChatGPT at this point, but I've had to really be clear. Don't make stuff up. Like, don't put your words in where my words are. I just want your help structuring my notes, my stories, my ideas. The second bucket, which is probably more interesting because it's increasingly happening and it's very popular across Mighty, is AI video avatars. So this is somebody who has lots of content and is like, if I can create a more personalized experience for my members because they can ask my AI avatar questions and AI avatar will answer them and create something that's like a special moment that is also super popular. There's a number of different providers. We embed all of those AI avatar providers into a mighty network and that has been very popular and very successful. And then there's the most unique and probably the most nascent as well, which is what we call people magic. And this is what we do uniquely on Mighty. And it's all around something that's super obvious when you think about it, which is how do you connect members to each other? Like, how do you play the role of amazing host without hiring a community manager or multiple community managers or having lots of VAs out there in the world? Well, people magic is that software as well as a strategy, but the software that is connecting the most relevant members to each other. So taking the questions that people are answering in your community and using natural language to connect people to each other based on how they answer those questions in your community. So being able to show similarities and suggest things that are pretty personalized to that person around starting a conversation. Not the as much as I like LinkedIn, not the LinkedIn thanks exclamation point or some of the other experiments that they have run that have been frightening. So this ability to see similarities. See also other members who are similar to that member that you've started down. I call it the daisy chain. So this ability to see this daisy chain of new and interesting members to explore the ability to see a little mini bio of somebody and have more and more people in a community have those bios because we've helped create a little small little thing, but it makes a huge difference, which is answer three questions and AI helps create a bio for you. And as more and more of your members have bios, and more and more of them can see what they have in common with other members, even if they don't reach out necessarily when they're in that question or they have that same poll or they're in a live stream, they have more context for those members. So this is, in my opinion, and certainly the data that we see at mighty, incredibly important for members joining and immediately seeing value from your community. Again, community monetized through courses and memberships, challenges and events. And these kinds of connections are. We're just at the beginning. We're just at the beginning. And even being just at the beginning, we have seen retention rates go up across mighty networks as members are able to make connections with more and more relevant people and learn more about those people than they can on other platforms. So this is an area that is early days, but growing very rapidly. It's also really clear what we're going to go do next. The reason I'm going into detail about this is, number one, I'm obsessed with it. So thank you for listening. The second thing, though, is that if we don't make these kinds of real connections with real human beings by using the very best of software and technology as it exists today and how it will exist in the future, I got to tell you, I'm a little nervous. And I'm not nervous for, like, the reasons of, like the Terminator and like, the world's gonna end. I'm nervous because social media taught people at scale to value their opinions more than, you know, facts or truth or stuff like that. I'm not like saying that from a political perspective. And the reason that happened was because every day for two decades now, people have been prompted with, what are you doing? What do you think? What's on your mind? It's about the person. And that has created some challenges in societal structure. I'm not a doomer here. But it's changed things. Now we're moving from social to what I would call synthetic people, Synthetic friends, synthetic partners, synthetic doctors, lawyers, nurses, all of these roles. There is a rush to build a synthetic version, a fully synthetic version of these roles. So here's the thing with these synthetic people. They are infinitely patient, they are infinitely accommodating and empathetic and helpful and all of the things. So the thing about it is, the more time we spend with synthetic people, the worse we get at being in community with real people, without the kind of people magic that we are so passionate about here at Mighty Hours. So what that Means is that we want and need to build software using AI, but with a twist. And the twist is software and AI that is only there to help people meet and build relationships with other real human beings that ultimately ends with AI helping us bring together a mastermind or a meetup in person in a location where those people would have never met other than from that digital community. So digital to in real life. I think and believe really passionately that if we can create this AI, co host and create this kind of people, magic these using AI to scale real relationships between people and in community, then synthetic people can play the role that they absolutely should play the role to help more and more people have amazing experiences with their doctors that have fantastic bedside manner experiences where when you're writing a first draft of something and you're kind, maybe it's just me, but like in my head and like it takes me hours cause I'm second guessing myself to have a synthetic person basically be like, hey Gina, great job on that essay. Like good. Wow, so insightful. That's amazing. It breaks through and creates speed for me to actually publish something. The ability to let lawyers spend more time on strategy and negotiation and less time on docs because there's an AI lawyer. I will take that every day of the week. But the world only works if we move from social to synthetic to real relationships at scale. And so what's so fun about this is number one, I hope you see that content production is just the beginning of the impact of AI on being a creator or a community builder, designer, whatever you want to call it, or entrepreneur certainly. But that as AI really brings content down to the lowest common denominator and that's really what it's designed to do. You'll get an article, but it's not going to be that good. You'll get a comment, but it's not going to be that good. You'll get a AI avatar, video response to somebody and it will be good enough. But the true magic, the true magic and value of AI is what we are going to be able to do in terms of creating new communities. Because we're able to surface real people to each other and nurture those relationship dynamics in ways that are as healthy as they can possibly be. Again, we're dealing with people here. So people are messy, but they're awesome. Being able to connect people in ways that today is just even with 3 billion people plus on Meta and on Facebook and Instagram, trying to find a group of people who are navigating the same transition that you are navigating is so much more challenging today than it will be in three years. This, from social to synthetic to real relationships at scale is the power of AI. But it's not going to happen without all of us. It's going to happen because you raise your hand and say, you know what? I'm going to host. I'm going to host a community, I'm going to build a membership, I'm going to launch a course, but I'm not going to launch a course in the old world of content that is static, which, by the way, more and more people are overwhelmed with content, overwhelmed with mediocre content. So if all you're going to do is use AI to contribute to mediocre content, that is going to be something that I think is a race to the bottom. If you start today with what is there even now, to be a host of a community. Holy guacamole, that is the future. And it is a glorious future because it's not just about using AI to transactionally meet people, but it's about using AI to seed and nurture relationships so that when you show up somewhere, people are stoked to see you, they're excited about you and what you bring to the table. And today that is happening in pockets. We see it a lot on mighty, I see it a lot out in the world, but it's just too hard. And it's just too hard for somebody who is really excited to try to organize people to show up at the same place at the same time without AI to just handle logistics. So that's certainly happening. But we need this new layer that we're talking about with people magic, to make the connection so that you know who you want to show up with and why you want to show up on that day, at that time, in that location, so that you can meet and build relationships with real human beings and nurture them to a level of results and transformation that you simply can't get on your own with a synthetic person. So that's where I'm excited about AI. I think for any entrepreneur creator today, using as many. I think it's critical for any entrepreneur or creator today to incorporate AI into as many of your workflows, as many of your processes, as many of your both creative and tactical endeavors. I wouldn't encourage you to just trust AI wholesale with your brand, with your content, with your community, but the ways in which content production just gets demonstrably easier. The experiments around AI, avatars and personalization are really getting pretty interesting. And I would Absolutely. Encourage anybody who thinks that's kind of fun and cool to experiment with it and try it out. And then my ultimate passion, how we at Mighty Networks bring People Magic to the world, Scaling real relationships and nurturing those relationships to a level of results and transformation you just simply can't get anywhere else. So with that, this is People Magic. I'm Gina Bianchini and until the next episode, thank you for being a part of People Magic. I could not do this show without you. If you want a deeper dive on any of these topics, how to build a community, run a membership, choose your pricing. I have a nine part free People Magic masterclass on our website and the link is in the show notes. This is something that I'm so grateful to have the opportunity to share with you, so hopefully you'll find it valuable. And I can't do this show without some burning questions. So everything that I tackle is something someone just like you has offered their idea or offered their question. We take it and turn it into a show. So in the show notes there is the link to leave me a voice memo and I hope you'll take advantage of it.
Podcast Summary: People Magic – Episode: Using AI to Spend More Time with People
Title: People Magic: How to Build a $1M Community
Host/Author: Mighty Networks & Pod People
Episode: Using AI to Spend More Time with People
Release Date: May 8, 2025
Speaker: Gina Bianchini, Founder and CEO of Mighty Networks
In the latest episode of People Magic, Gina Bianchini delves into the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in community building. She explores how AI can be harnessed to foster genuine human connections, enhance content creation, and ultimately build a thriving digital business centered around real relationships.
Gina begins by addressing the pervasive influence of social media on societal structures. She observes that social media platforms have inadvertently shifted the focus from facts and truth to valuing personal opinions and individual personas.
"Social media taught people at scale to value their opinions more than, you know, facts or truth or stuff like that." [00:00]
This shift has led to the rise of "synthetic people" — virtual interactions that, while convenient, lack the depth and authenticity of real human connections. Gina expresses concern over the potential erosion of genuine community bonds as interactions become increasingly mediated by technology.
One of the primary applications of AI in community building is content production. Gina highlights how creators and community managers utilize AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude to generate articles, course outlines, and other content forms.
"The first and most obvious one is content production... how are you writing articles and being able to use ChatGPT or Claude to help you write articles or help you structure your framework." [04:30]
AI assists in brainstorming and structuring ideas, making the content creation process more efficient. Additionally, AI enables the personalization of content to cater to specific member demographics, enhancing relevance and engagement.
AI's ability to tailor content to individual use cases is another significant advantage. Whether it's customizing courses for "freelancers for moms of three kids" or "freelancers in Colorado," AI ensures that content resonates with specific member segments.
"Your ability to use AI to take fundamental concepts and personalize them in smaller or more narrow ways is really powerful." [09:15]
However, Gina cautions against over-reliance on AI for content generation, noting that without careful oversight, AI-produced content can often be mediocre.
While AI offers substantial benefits, Gina points out the inherent challenges associated with its use in content production.
"When you use AI for content production, a lot of it is really mediocre." [13:50]
She emphasizes the importance of maintaining quality by using AI as a supportive tool rather than a sole content creator. Gina advises creators to leverage AI for structuring and brainstorming while infusing their unique voice and insights to ensure authenticity.
Another innovative application of AI discussed is the use of AI video avatars. These avatars can interact with community members, providing personalized responses and enhancing the member experience without the constant need for human intervention.
"AI video avatars... create a more personalized experience for my members because they can ask my AI avatar questions and AI avatar will answer them." [18:20]
Gina notes that integrating AI avatar providers into Mighty Networks has proven successful, offering members a unique and engaging way to interact within the community.
Gina introduces the concept of "People Magic," a unique offering by Mighty Networks designed to connect members based on their interactions and similarities.
"People Magic is that software as well as a strategy, but the software that is connecting the most relevant members to each other." [23:05]
This tool leverages natural language processing to analyze member responses and facilitate meaningful connections, fostering a sense of community and belonging.
A key feature of People Magic is the "daisy chain" — a system that suggests new and interesting members for others to connect with based on shared interests and interactions.
"I call it the daisy chain. So this ability to see this daisy chain of new and interesting members to explore." [27:40]
By highlighting similarities and shared experiences, the daisy chain promotes organic relationship building, enhancing member retention and engagement.
Gina envisions a future where AI plays a pivotal role in transitioning from synthetic interactions to fostering real, meaningful relationships within digital communities.
"The world only works if we move from social to synthetic to real relationships at scale." [34:10]
She advocates for AI to act as a co-host, aiding in the organization and facilitation of real-life meetups and masterminds, thereby bridging the gap between digital interactions and tangible connections.
AI's role extends beyond content creation to managing logistics and nurturing relationships, allowing community leaders to focus on strategic aspects of community building.
"Using AI to scale real relationships between people and in community, then synthetic people can play the role that they absolutely should play." [39:50]
This approach ensures that AI supports the community's growth without overshadowing the human element that is essential for genuine connections.
Gina wraps up the episode by reiterating the importance of integrating AI thoughtfully into community building processes. She encourages entrepreneurs and creators to experiment with AI tools while maintaining a focus on authentic human interactions.
"The true magic and value of AI is what we are going to be able to do in terms of creating new communities... nurturing those relationship dynamics in ways that are as healthy as they can possibly be." [45:30]
Gina also invites listeners to join Mighty Networks' free nine-part People Magic masterclass for a deeper dive into building and monetizing communities effectively.
"If all you're going to do is use AI to contribute to mediocre content, that is going to be something that I think is a race to the bottom... to seed and nurture relationships so that when you show up somewhere, people are stoked to see you." [49:20]
AI Enhances Content Creation: AI tools can streamline the creation and personalization of content, making it easier to cater to diverse member needs.
Quality Over Quantity: It's crucial to use AI as a supportive tool rather than relying on it entirely to maintain content quality and authenticity.
AI Avatars and People Magic: These technologies offer innovative ways to engage members and foster meaningful connections within communities.
Future of Community Building: AI holds the potential to transition communities from synthetic interactions to real, impactful relationships, scaling human connections like never before.
Gina Bianchini emphasizes that the future of community building lies in balancing AI's capabilities with the irreplaceable value of human relationships. By leveraging AI thoughtfully, entrepreneurs can build vibrant, engaged communities that not only thrive digitally but also translate into real-world connections and successes.
For more insights and to participate in the People Magic masterclass, visit the Mighty Networks website and access the show notes for additional resources.