Throughout 2025, marketers found themselves in a paradox: we have more AI tools than ever. From AI-writers, to image generators, video clone makers, comment scheduling bots and more.
Yet the noise is deafening. In screen after endless screen of auto-generated AI slop, duplicative captions, and algorithmic repackaging, what exactly stands out?!
The HUMAN VOICE. Unique. Differentiated. Imperfect. Alive!
That tension is the doorway into the message I’ll bring to you at the International Human Design Festival. My presentation is on Authentic Marketing in the Age of AI: Social Media through the Lens of Human Design.
My goal is to help creators, entrepreneurs, and professionals—who are weary of chasing formulas, yet still want real reach and connection—to show up in a way that feels truly aligned with their unique genetic imprint.
And to craft a unique social media strategy that lights you up and is sustainable in the long term. Not one that is constantly at the mercy of the ever-changing agenda of Big Tech.
I’m certainly not anti-AI. It’s not a bad thing, right? AI can be our powerful assistant. Your ‘second brain’ and a way to leverage your time immensely. But the problem is when marketers lean too heavily on AI, letting prompts, templates, and automations eclipse the human signal.
When every post looks “optimized,” the result is sameness. Homegenization.
All the ‘sheeple’ copycatting the latest trend.
Cases in point: blister pack action figures, candy cane Christmas images, and baby podcast hosts? No thanks. Hard pass for me, personally. (Funny how these AI content trends pop up fast, and disappear just as quickly).
I’m not a trend-jumper. When everyone zigs, I’m going to zag. You can see this in my Human Design chart with my individual circuitry: 2-14 Channel of The Beat and six planets in 43-23 Channel of Structuring.
There’s something unnerving to me with so many AI versions of real people. Said real people willingly sharing fake AI-generated images of themselves… Now “AI photoshoots” are a thing being offered to the mainstream.
It feels like a deeply conditioned and homogenized thing to do. Sorry, I’m sure this is an unpopular opinion. But, oh well, what to do.
To me, it’s as if the self-perception and relationship to oneself—one’s physical appearance—is distorted. As if a real image, a real photoshoot, is not ‘good enough.’ And so the appearance has to be enhanced with smoothed out skin, perfected poses and outfits, flattened stomachs, maybe a six-pack added on? Lol.
Granted, most real life professional photographers are going to touch up images using Photoshop or similar tools. So what’s the difference, right?
To me, the difference is that a real photograph captures the essence of the being. The SOUL. The light within. (This is the exact meaning of ‘photogenic.’ A good photographer literally captures the light emitting from the human being).
Whereas, an AI-generated image of a real person appears soulless. Sure, it can look attractive and we can ‘mock up’ the light from the eyes being emitted. But nothing compares to a real photo or a real human, IMHO. (In fact, I just kicked off my 2026 with a fabulous real photoshoot and am over the moon with the pics).
When metrics become the only measure, it invites a performance mindset over alignment. And that’s just a very 7-centered approach.
Throughout 2025, I heard the same pain points again and again from my audience:
These aren’t just “marketing problems”. They're existential questions in a digital age.
HOW can you remain human and true to yourself when the deeply conditioned Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube environments reward mimicry and sheer volume?
HOW can you maintain your own sovereignty, integrity and boundaries when the ‘carrot and stick’ nags at you constantly to crank out more content. “Feed the machine,” demands the algorithm.
WHAT does it take to cut through this cacophony with your own authentic voice? Is that even possible?
This is where Human Design becomes a compass. It helps you discern which marketing moves are right for YOU!!! Not what’s right for the masses. In my presentation at the International Human Design Festival on January 31st, 2026, I’ll guide you to make the shift from “formulaic mimicry” to “strategy + authority embodiment.”
It’s NOT one-size-fits-all. Marketing by Type is just the very tip of the iceberg. If you only deploy a marketing strategy supposedly based on your Type, then we’ve basically neatly split the entire world into these four categories. It still feels very homogenized to me. Type is just a starting point, combined with your Personal Authority, of course. There are so many more variables to take into account to ensure your style of marketing is truly, authentically YOU.
In my live session, I’ll share with you the specific post formats and visibility best practices that work today on Facebook and Instagram. You’ll learn key insights into exactly what the main social media platforms are looking for and how you can take advantage of this, while still staying true to yourself. AND I’ll weave in customized aspects of Human Design/BG5 that will make your social media marketing uniquely you.
If it’s correct for you to join us, I look forward to being with you very soon!
With much love,
Mari Smith
IHDS Certified Human Design Analyst & LYD Guide
Learn more about Mari Smith’s presentation at the International Human Design Festival here: https://humandesignelement.com/team/mari-smith/
Mari Smith is one of the world’s most respected social media thought leaders and online marketing strategists. Known as “the Queen of Facebook” since 2007, she has helped thousands of entrepreneurs and global brands master authentic, high-impact social media marketing.
Blending her Meta expertise with the transformative power of the Human Design System as an IHDS Certified Analyst, Mari guides entrepreneurs to align with their true voice, connect deeply with their audiences, and thrive in an ever-evolving online world. Her signature mix of AI-smart strategies, soulful mentorship, and Human Design wisdom empowers leaders to market with greater alignment, authenticity, and meaningful impact.
Content Authenticity Statement: About 15% of this article was inspired by and crafted in partnership with ChatGPT. The rest manually by me, fingers on the keyboard. You're welcome to read my company's Generative AI Policy. As inspired by our friends at the Marketing AI Institute with their Creative Commons Responsible AI Manifesto for Marketing and Business.
