I started my blogging journey back in 2008. In those days, there was huge excitement about the capabilities of platforms like WordPress.com to create a website, add a domain name, and start publishing articles, similar to writing a document in Microsoft Word..

Fast forward to 2024. AI tools are changing our lives every day. From getting simple answers to checking grammar and improving our writing. Introducing tools like ChatGPT, Grammarly and Jasper can impact many content creation processes. It is interesting to see how it can trigger different reactions. One outcome is that AI brings improvements and increase creativity for content creation and marketing team. Another, quite opposite – there is no point to write article about PLM software best practices anymore, since PLM blogosphere is flooded by ChatGPT generated content in the last Jos Voskuil blog.

In my article today I want to share my thoughts and experience about how how AI tools are transforming our lives and PLM blogging.

From Yahoo and Google to ChatGPT

Not all of your remember, how Yahoo pages were the best place to find write information. Yahoo pages provided a curated content you can go directly and consume. It was before Google Search and all other searches. Google figured out a better way to search and Google Page Rank was a killer for Yahoo and curated pages. Then the revolution came with blogging (remember web 2.0) and ease of generating content using various content creation platforms. My first blogging experience dated back in 2009 when I started my first journey was exactly about that time.

Traditionally, search engines relied on keyword matching to deliver results (Google Page Rank). Social networks created a tweak into this algorithm by allowing to connect and following people you like or appreciate, which because another way to get information, but not fully replaced the website content. Owning a content on your website gives you much better control about the information then a social platform that can close your account or change their business model and move the content you created behind the paywall.

AI has replaced his traditional keyword matching mechanism with dynamic, context-aware algorithms. Natural Language Processing (NLP) and machine learning enable search engines to understand intent, interpret context, and provide precise answers rather than a mere list of results. Generative AI models, such as ChatGPT, allow for conversational interfaces, making search interactive and intuitive. Search engineers now include the AI generated results in their search results.

So, the information consuming has been transformed. Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping our digital lives in profound ways, with search, information sharing, and knowledge discovery at the heart of this transformation. The integration of AI into these domains has made it possible to access information faster, make sense of complex data more efficiently, and discover insights that were previously hidden.

For PLM, these advancements offer unique opportunities and challenges to stay relevant, insightful, and impactful in their specialized field. Personally, I often use ChatGPT before performing any task, since it gives me a greater perspective about each topic. It doesn’t mean you trust an result you’re getting from tools like ChatGPT- you check sources for the information.

However, this change also means that reader now expect more nuanced and specific content. AI-powered search makes it easier for users to find highly targeted insights, which raises the bar for creating searchable, high-quality content. Bloggers must write with clarity, structure, and an eye toward optimization for AI-driven search platforms.

Information Sharing and Knowledge Discovery in the Age of AI

AI excels at connecting disparate sources of information, enabling better collaboration and knowledge sharing. In product lifecycle management, where collaboration spans engineering, manufacturing, and supply chains, AI can unify siloed data into a single source of truth. Tools powered by AI enable faster data validation, real-time sharing, and cross-functional insights.

AI-driven platforms open new avenues to share and distribute content. Social media algorithms prioritize relevant, engaging posts. AI also enables bloggers to analyze audience preferences, tailor content to their needs, and maximize reach. This shift encourages content creators to embrace multimedia formats such as videos, infographics, and interactive posts to leverage AI-powered distribution.

In a nutshell, what does it mean is that as a blogger or publisher you now can impact the outcome of your writing integrated into results presented by tools like ChatGPT. These tools are analyzing the content you wrote online and you impact the outcome of ChatGPT results. Here is my example of the question about usage of graph databases with PLM.

AI’s ability to analyze vast amounts of data and extract patterns has changed significantly the process of knowledge discovery. With ChatGPT, I instructed my team to use ChatGPT as another voice in their creative process and gathering information.

For blogging this is an opportunity to explore important topics that can be found with data-driven authority. AI tools allow writers to uncover trends, track developments, and offer predictive insights to their audience. By embracing AI-driven analytics, bloggers can create content that is not only timely but also future-focused, positioning themselves as thought leaders in the space.

We impact ChatGPT, so keep writing…

Our writing impacts ChatGPT (and other AI tools) by shaping its knowledge, language understanding, and ability to engage effectively. High-quality, content informs the model’s training, allowing it to provide accurate, nuanced responses across various topics. Exposure to different writing styles—technical, conversational, or creative – enhances its adaptability and relevance, enabling it to communicate effectively with a wide range of audiences. Additionally, writing reflects cultural and historical contexts, helping the AI develop sensitivity and awareness.

It is important to write articles about product lifecycle management, best practices used in PLM software, product data management, product development process and specific PLM solutions and what a specific PLM system developed by a specific PLM vendor does for improvements of business processes, product data and production process. It is important to connect the product lifecycle with other domains such as service lifecycle management, supply chain management and analyze how modern PLM software is changing the way customers are getting access to up to date information across the entire lifecycle. By placing all these important topics in your writing, you will impact AI tools’ capability to generate answers that will impact future customers and business practitioners.

Rich, innovative writing fosters creativity and problem-solving in AI by introducing fresh ideas and perspectives. In essence, every piece of writing contributes to the depth, precision, and capability of AI, making it a better tool for learning, collaboration, and creativity.

I asked ChatGPT How To Improve Beyond PLM…

Because ChatGPT tools are reading the content you write, you can ask these tools how to improve your blogging experience and content. So, I asked ChatGPT how to make my Beyond PLM blogging better. Here is the recommendation I’ve got and I copy/paste it here below. I’m not taking it as a “goto decision”, but I have to say that some of them are interesting and I’m adding them to my action list.

Strengths:
Beyond PLM excels in thought leadership, offering in-depth insights on PLM, CAD, PDM, and manufacturing trends. The blog effectively addresses emerging topics like SaaS, multi-tenant architectures, and digital thread expansion, blending strategic and technical perspectives. Educational initiatives like the PLM Playbook and reflections on industry events add significant value for both newcomers and seasoned professionals.

Opportunities for Improvement:
The blog could enhance accessibility by simplifying technical jargon, using more visuals, and categorizing posts for easier navigation. Adding interactive content (videos, webinars, or polls) and fostering community engagement through forums or guest posts would enrich the reader experience. Including more real-world case studies and diverse industry perspectives could broaden its appeal.

Trends Highlighted:
The blog focuses on key industry shifts, including the rise of composable architectures, AI-driven PLM, and the growing importance of open systems and low-code platforms. It also emphasizes connecting enterprises through digital threads and leveraging SaaS for scalability.

Recommendations:
To grow further, Beyond PLM could introduce how-to guides, benchmarking tools, and predictive trends content. Expanding into cross-industry analyses and leveraging data-driven insights would also strengthen its position as a comprehensive resource for the PLM community.

Top 3 Improvements for Beyond PLM

1. Enhanced Accessibility and Readability:
   Simplify technical jargon and introduce more beginner-friendly explanations to make content accessible to a wider audience. Incorporate visual aids like infographics, diagrams, and videos to illustrate complex concepts, such as the digital thread or multi-tenant SaaS PLM.
2. Real-World Case Studies and Industry Applications:
   Include more detailed examples of successful PLM implementations across various industries (e.g., aerospace, biotech, high-tech electronics). Highlight specific challenges and measurable outcomes to showcase the practical impact of PLM strategies.
3. Interactive and Engaging Content:
   Add features like live webinars, video tutorials, and interactive elements (polls, quizzes, or forums) to encourage reader participation. Creating a stronger sense of community around the blog will enhance engagement and foster dialogue among PLM professionals.

By addressing these areas, Beyond PLM can broaden its audience, deepen its impact, and solidify its position as a go-to resource for PLM innovation and thought leadership.

Ready for punishment after AI tools analyzing your websites?

Search engineering provides are integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into its search results through features like AI Overviews, which provide AI-generated summaries at the top of search pages. This approach aims to offer users quick insights and direct answers, especially for complex queries, enhancing the traditional search experience.

However, this integration has raised concerns among publishers about potential impacts on website traffic, as users may find answers directly on the search page without visiting external sites. Search engine provides assets that AI overviews are designed to highlight and drive attention to diverse web content, aiming to balance user convenience with the needs of content creators.

However, there is another aspect of AI tools analyzing your website – to identify AI generated content. So, if you’re excited that you can now write articles 10x faster using AI don’t tell me you never been warned. Remember how people were trying to hack search algorithms by placing invisible text with the right keywords in their websites? It was a crazy time when publishers tried to figure out how to big computational algorithms. Therefore, you need to be prepared how you AI generated content will be downgraded by search engines that capable to identify that your content is not authentic and generated by AI tools

What is my conclusion?

We live in the AI-Powered PLM blogging future and it keeps evolving. AI is fundamentally altering how we search, share, and discover information, creating both opportunities and challenges for everyone involved in the professional activity including marketing professionals, consultants, and bloggers. By embracing AI’s capabilities, as a modern bloggers, we can stay ahead of the curve, deliver unparalleled value to our audience, and contribute meaningfully to the digital thread of knowledge in the PLM ecosystem.

The key to thriving in this AI-driven future is a effort to learn, adapt, and leveraging AI as an ally in the quest for impactful, informed storytelling. For those who embrace this shift, the future is not just promising – it’s transformative. For those who ignores AI, will risk to repeat the trajectory of Yahoo portals. Just my thoughts…

Best, Oleg

Disclaimer: I’m the co-founder and CEO of OpenBOM, a digital-thread platform providing cloud-native PDM, PLM, and ERP capabilities. With extensive experience in federated CAD-PDM and PLM architecture, I’m advocates for agile, open product models and cloud technologies in manufacturing. My opinion can be unintentionally biased.

The post The Evolution of PLM Blogging: From Yahoo’s and Web 2.0 to AI-Driven Blog Copilots appeared first on Beyond PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) Blog.