I saw something this week that I haven’t been able to shake.

A creator announced they’re automating their Instagram DM replies and then teaching a class on how to do it. Not scheduling, not email sequences. The actual back-and-forth with real people who reached out.

I keep thinking about that alongside everything I read about how lonely people are right now. Happiness levels are dropping and disconnection is everywhere, and the fix we’re building is a bot that replies to someone who took the time to reach out? 

I understand the logistics of a huge account. That’s not what’s bothering me. What’s bothering me is that social media was supposed to be the thing that connected us, and somewhere along the way, it became the most sophisticated sales machine ever built. Optimized to get you to buy things you probably don’t need, from people you’ve never actually talked to.

I was at a Women in Business NB Leadership Summit last week. I was in a room full of women trying to build an action plan to improve the state of women in entrepreneurship in the province. The conversation kept getting pushed toward government accountability and funding, and while nobody’s going to turn down more resources, that’s not what anyone was actually asking for. 

When you actually listened, every woman in that room wanted a directory. A way to find each other. A way to ask for mentorship without it being weird. They want connection to others who get it. And this is why I started the Roundabout monthly meetups over two years ago. 

I use AI, and I genuinely love what it can do. I use it for research, I sell GPTs, it helps me organize my thinking when my head is running in six directions. But I have no interest in outsourcing a conversation. 

When someone takes the time to reach out, I want to be the one who responds. Maybe that’s not scalable. I’m okay with that.

I do wonder sometimes if this is just an age thing. 

Maybe I’m the one who’s out of step. 

We already have a generation of kids who are unable to make a phone call without their anxiety spiking, and now we’re building a world where they won’t have to talk to anyone at all. I’m not sure if that solves the problem or just makes it quieter.

So I’m genuinely asking. 

When you have the option to automate the human parts of your business, how does that sit with you? 

Is it just efficiency, or does something feel off? 

And if you can, will you?

I’d really love to know what you think.