Narrative and Neural Nets

Narrative and Neural Nets is a blog series by Michelle Jamesina that works through the hard questions at the intersection of AI, influence, and strategic communication. Part explainer, part field notes, part playbook—this series explores how to control the narrative, work smarter with AI, and stay sharp in a world that’s moving fast.

Editor’s Pick: The Intersection of AI and Creativity

AI-Assisted Content Strategy: Automating Platform Optimization, Not Writing

Context: This analysis examines a real-world AI content automation implementation using Zapier, Asana, and Claude AI. The system automated cross-posting strategy generation for LinkedIn, Medium, and Reddit, reducing publishing time by 60% while maintaining content...

Why Google Gemini Confused My Dad (And What It Reveals About AI Assistant UX)

My dad should have been the perfect user for Google Gemini. He’s been using Google Assistant for nearly as long as it’s existed, and he relies on voice controls constantly because he has trouble seeing small text on a phone screen. He's also a longtime fan of...

The AI Search Engine Wars and the Death of Evergreen Content

The advice to optimize for Bing because "that's what ChatGPT uses" is already outdated. Welcome to the new era where your content strategy depends on a rapidly shifting landscape of AI partnerships, search APIs, and algorithmic preferences you can't predict. If you...

When Patterns Break: Why AI Still Can’t Design with Structure

Summary: This article explores why LLMs struggle with structured visual tasks like generating Celtic knots or accurate neural networks. Written by Michelle Jamesina, a strategist and designer with a background in graphic design and AI, it breaks down the core AI...

Frequently Asked Questions

Our series aims to bridge the gap between traditional storytelling and modern AI advancements. We delve into how AI is reshaping narratives and what this means for content creators and strategists.

Who is this blog for?

Anyone interested in how AI intersects with influence, messaging, and strategic thinking. Whether you’re a founder, consultant, creative, or just AI-curious, this series is designed to meet you where you are.

Do I need a tech background to follow along?

Not at all. While I dig into some technical territory, I always bring it back to real-world applications. If you can follow a business case or a good debate, you’ll be right at home.

What kinds of topics do you cover?

Expect a mix of explainers, live case studies, experiments, and frameworks—especially around AI tools and how to interact with them, automation strategy, narrative control, and negotiation dynamics in fast-moving environments.

How often do you publish new posts?

I don’t follow a fixed schedule (on purpose), but I aim for depth over frequency. My posts are often inspired by what I’m working on, though, and I’m always working on something. If you want to stay in the loop, join the email list or follow me on LinkedIn.

Can I share or reference your posts?

Absolutely. Just link back and credit appropriately. If you’re building on or remixing the ideas, I’d love to see what you come up with.

Why “Narrative and Neural Nets”?

The name is a nod to two kinds of systems: the ones we build to control the story, and the ones we train to make decisions.

“Narrative” reflects my focus on how we craft, shape, and assert control over meaning—whether through messaging, negotiation, or broader influence strategies.

“Neural nets” refers to the machine learning models behind today’s AI tools. “Neural nets” refers to the machine learning models behind today’s most powerful AI tools. They’re designed to learn from data by identifying patterns and making predictions

This series explores three things: how people use narrative to influence outcomes, how we can use narrative to influence AI tools, and how neural networks are changing the playing field.