Actionable AI Tips from Emmy-Winning Olivia Smith

In this post, we’re diving into insights from a conversation I had with Olivia Smith, an Emmy Award-winning journalist, adjunct professor at USC Annenberg, and founder of Media Consulting Coaches. Olivia’s career spans decades at top outlets like Disney, ABC News, and Good Morning America. Together, we explored actionable strategies for navigating the evolving media landscape and how AI fits into the picture for journalists, educators, and communicators.

1. The Power of Storytelling Will Always Matter

One of Olivia’s key takeaways was that AI may automate tasks, but the human element of storytelling remains irreplaceable. She shared how she first fell in love with storytelling at 15 when she broke a local story about a rat infestation at her high school. That sparked her career, and it’s a core message she now passes on to her students.

“Good stories will always matter. No machine can replicate the investigative work and human touch behind powerful storytelling,” Olivia emphasized.

Takeaway for Journalists: Continue to hone your investigative and storytelling skills. AI tools can enhance how you work, but your ability to find and tell compelling stories is what will differentiate you in a crowded media landscape.

2. Overcoming Fear and Taking the First Step

A major challenge facing today’s journalists and communicators—especially students—is the fear of approaching strangers and breaking into new spaces. Olivia offers practical advice: Start small.

“Don’t overthink it. Talk to the cashier at the grocery store or the person sitting next to you on a plane. Great stories often come from unexpected places.”

Tip for Educators: Encourage your students to build confidence through everyday conversations. The more they talk, the more they’ll discover.

3. Leveraging AI Tools to Enhance Storytelling

As the conversation shifted to AI, Olivia shared her experiences using 360-degree cameras, drones, and AI-driven tools to push the boundaries of visual storytelling.

From experimenting with a 360-degree camera at a marijuana farm to capturing drone footage of Dead Horse Bay, her career is proof that technology opens new doors for immersive journalism.

Actionable Tip for Communicators: Explore emerging tech tools like 360 cameras and drones, and consider integrating AI for tasks like light editing or generating visual assets. AI can be your co-worker, not your replacement.

4. AI in the Classroom: Embrace It with Caution

Olivia is optimistic about the future of AI in journalism education but emphasizes the need for transparency and ethics. She cited Poynter’s AI Ethics template as an essential tool for newsrooms to communicate their AI use policies clearly.

“AI is not going anywhere, and avoiding it isn’t the answer. Newsrooms should guide journalists on how to use these tools ethically.”

Advice for Educators and Newsrooms: Integrate AI ethics training into your curriculum and ensure your newsroom has a clear policy on how AI tools are used. Transparency with the public is key.

5. Building Your Personal Brand in the AI Era

Olivia stressed the importance of maintaining a strong personal and digital presence, especially for communicators and journalists.

“Having a good public presence means having a good digital presence. Use social media strategically but don’t feel pressured to be everywhere.”

Key Tip for Professionals: Focus on platforms that align with your goals—be consistent, and don’t spread yourself too thin.

6. AI Is Not a Fad – It’s the Future

As AI continues to transform journalism, Olivia sees it as a tool journalists need to understand, even if they don’t fully embrace it.

“Like the internet, AI is here to stay. Journalists need to know the tools available and how to use them responsibly. It’s not about replacing the human element but enhancing it.”

Call to Action:

Feeling overwhelmed with AI in journalism? I’m here to help! As a personal branding expert and professor, I offer 1:1 coaching, webinars, and workshops to help you navigate AI tools and optimize your career. Connect with me on LinkedIn or visit yumiwilson.me to learn more.

Want to reach out to Olivia Smith? You can find her at Media Consulting Coaches or connect with her on LinkedIn.

Keep questioning and keep growing!

---

This post was based on the transcript of my interview with Olivia Smith and drafted with the assistance of AI tools, including fact-checking and content refinement, to ensure accuracy and clarity. All final edits and opinions are my own.