EP483 – This Is Your Website on AI

On this episode, the WPwatercooler panel, consisting of Jason Tucker, Sé Reed, and Jason Cosper, delves into the impact of AI on website creation and the broader WordPress ecosystem. They discuss the practical uses of AI for automating tedious tasks, such as generating filler content and structuring web pages, while acknowledging the potential downsides, including the commoditization of web development and the proliferation of generic, low-quality websites. The conversation also touches on the evolving role of SEO in an AI-driven landscape, the importance of bespoke, human-crafted websites, and the broader implications for web professionals. Throughout the episode, the panel debates whether AI can enhance creativity or simply lead to more homogeneous web experiences. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Hosts 00:39 Podcast Availability and Discord 01:12 Segue into AI Discussion 01:42 ChatGPT and Website Integration 02:49 AI in Content Creation 04:09 AI vs. Lorem Ipsum Generators 06:27 AI’s Impact on Page Builders 09:05 Onboarding with AI 11:23 Automation in Web Development 13:30 The Role of Freelancers in an AI World 14:41 Quality of AI-generated Websites 16:18 AI’s Limitations in Customization 18:10 AI and Web Design Homogeneity 21:55 Unique Human Touch in Web Design 24:26 AI and the Future of Website Development 27:22 Value of Bespoke Websites 29:25 Fast Food vs. Gourmet Web Design 33:15 Google and SEO in an AI Era 37:35 The Role of AI Assistants 41:19 Small Business Websites and AI 44:13 The Changing Nature of Websites 50:02 The Future of SEO 54:26 Conclusion and Outro