We previously looked at using Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML) as a digital replacement for pole coaching and for general fitness and were not impressed.

Now we going to focus on how you could use AI to support your pole-based business.

Most pole and pole-related businesses are considered small businesses, with less than 50 employees (if even that many!). Larger companies (like Fortune 500s and Fortune 100s) are using AI to complete menial and repetitive tasks.

AI isn’t going to clean your studio for you (though, those robot vacuums are getting impressive), but it may be able to accomplish or even start some tasks that help you, especially if you are a solo-preneur with limited time and resources.

The first half of this post addresses some suggestions from actual people reviewing the capability of AI technology. In the second half of this post, we asked the AI what it could do for the pole industry.

Feed Your Feed

As a small business owner, you’ve probably felt some heartburn over the full-time job you didn’t sign up for: Social Media Management.

Getting your socials busy enough to be recommended to others takes a lot of work! Generative AI like ChatGPT can be an effective tool for writing social media captions. Even if you don’t love what ChatGPT spits out, you can use it as a starting point to add your own flare. We don’t recommend using anything from AI without checking it first!

Building Your Blog

While many have turned to a shorter-form internet presence, blogs are still an important part of business. Sometimes, you can’t get your whole point across in an Instagram caption.

Generative AI can write blogs for you, provided you give them a topic. Please note, the tone of AI generated blogs can be very bland and generic. It can also take just as long to edit the AI-assisted blog (and fact check them!) as it does to write a blog from scratch. There can be some topics where using AI as a framework however is a helpful place to start. (Note: No IPIA resource posts are written by AI.)

Transcribe to Survive

If you’ve ever posted a video to YouTube, you’ve probably used AI without realizing it. Many years ago, YouTube introduced a caption feature to their platform. Unless you as the user input captions to your video, the captions are generated using AI.

AI is also popular for creating transcriptions of podcasts. Many podcasters use AI, much like the YouTube AI for generating subtitles, to create a transcription of their podcast and have a team of volunteers (or themselves) listen to the podcast while reading the transcript and make any necessary corrections. AI is great, but it will never be perfect.

AI for Scheduling

Sometimes, it can feel like a very frustrating logic puzzle to put together a schedule that works for your studio.

What teachers are available when? If in a multi-room space, which rooms are available? What apparatuses are available in each room? What is the room’s capacity? What classes make sense to have back-to-back?

Once you answer these questions (and tons of others!), you can input that information into an AI and have it create an optimized schedule. Again, you’ll want to check the AI’s work on this one; but this is a task where it’s far easier to start with an outline and make minor tweaks than to do the whole thing from scratch.

AI for Inventory Management

AI can be used to track inventory for online and in-person stores, send reminders to creators when it’s time to produce more items to put in stock, and order supplies when creators are running low.

A combination of AI/ML can analyze sales trends to help creators prioritize which items get produced. This is important especially when products have a wide variety to them.

AI for Customer Service

Another use of AI, mostly for large businesses, is for customer service chat bots. Depending on the size of your business, this may not be financially feasible. Prices vary wildly for different levels of AI used for customer service chat services, but most fall in the $1000+/month range, which is out of reach for most small businesses. Other chat bots with smaller price tags don’t have the complexity to act as a customer service representative but may be able to respond to simple questions like “where is your studio located?”

Letting AI Speak for Itself

We used two generative AI models, ChatGPT and Hix.AI, write for themselves how you could use them in your pole-based business.

Both models were prompted “Write a blog post about using AI for the pole dance industry.” ChatGPT takes simple text prompts. We could have been more specific with things like tone, word count, etc, but we kept it simple. Hix.AI asked us for additional information such as target audience and tone. We chose small business owners as the audience, and energetic as the tone. Hix.AI is limited to 300 words before users are required to pay for a subscription.

This is what ChatGPT had to say about using AI for pole:

Transforming the Pole Dance Industry with AI

The pole dance industry is rapidly evolving, with technology playing a pivotal role in enhancing training, performance, and community engagement. One of the most exciting advancements is the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into various aspects of pole dancing, making it more accessible, efficient, and innovative.

Personalized Training Programs  (IPIA disagrees!)

AI can revolutionize how pole dancers train by offering personalized training programs tailored to individual skill levels and goals. By analyzing a dancer’s performance data, such as movements, strength, and flexibility, AI can provide customized feedback and recommendations. For instance, apps powered by AI can track a dancer’s progress over time, suggest specific exercises to target weaknesses, and even predict when they might be ready to attempt more advanced tricks. This personalized approach not only enhances skill development but also boosts motivation and reduces the risk of injury.

Virtual Coaching and Augmented Reality  (IPIA thinks this could happen in the future but the technology just isn’t there yet.)

Another significant application of AI in pole dancing is virtual coaching. With the rise of online classes, AI can facilitate real-time feedback by using computer vision technology to analyze a dancer’s form during practice. This technology can highlight areas for improvement, offer corrections, and even compare a dancer’s movements to professional performances. Additionally, augmented reality (AR) can overlay instructional guides onto the physical environment, allowing dancers to visualize techniques and transitions in a way that’s both engaging and informative.

Community Building and Networking  (IPIA notes that non-AI algorithms are already doing this and not always doing it in a way that respects swers. Watch this webinar about the impact of social media algorihms on pole dancers and swers.)

AI also plays a role in fostering community within the pole dance industry. Social media platforms and apps can utilize AI algorithms to connect dancers with similar interests, skill levels, or geographic locations. By analyzing user preferences and interactions, these platforms can recommend local classes, workshops, or events, encouraging participation and collaboration. This not only helps dancers find support and inspiration but also strengthens the pole dance community as a whole.

Enhancing Performance Art  (IPIA disagrees.)

For those who perform pole dancing as an art form, AI can enhance creativity and choreography. AI-driven tools can analyze music tracks and suggest movements or routines that complement the rhythm and mood of the piece. By using machine learning algorithms, dancers can explore new styles and combinations they might not have considered. This can lead to more innovative performances and a broader range of expression within the art form.

Safety and Injury Prevention  (IPIA disagrees.)

Safety is paramount in any physical discipline, and AI can contribute significantly to injury prevention in pole dancing. By monitoring dancers’ movements and identifying potentially harmful patterns or overexertion, AI can alert individuals and instructors to adjust techniques or take necessary breaks. This proactive approach to safety can help ensure that pole dancers can enjoy their practice for years to come.

Conclusion

The integration of AI into the pole dance industry is just beginning, but its potential is vast. From personalized training programs and virtual coaching to community building and performance enhancement, AI is making pole dancing more accessible and innovative  (IPIA disagrees). As technology continues to advance, we can expect to see even more creative applications that will further enrich the pole dance experience. Embracing these changes not only elevates the practice itself but also opens doors for new dancers to join the vibrant and dynamic world of pole dancing. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned performer, the future of pole dance is looking brighter with the help of AI (IPIA heartily disagrees).

This is what Hix AI wrote:

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming various industries, and the world of pole dance is no exception. For small business owners in this niche, embracing AI can enhance operations, improve customer experiences, and drive growth.

Firstly , AI-powered analytics can provide insights into customer behavior (IPIA notes that non-AI algorithms are already available). By tracking which classes are most popular and what times attract the most participants, you can tailor your offerings to meet demand. Imagine using data to create targeted promotions—offering discounts for low-traffic times or highlighting classes that may not be filling up—but you’ll need to combine data analytics with creativity.

Additionally , AI in marketing can significantly amplify your outreach. Using algorithms that learn and adapt, AI can help craft personalized marketing campaigns that resonate with potential clients. For instance, chatbots can engage website visitors, answer their questions, and schedule classes seamlessly, providing a friendly and efficient service without adding strain to your workload. (IPIA notes that this may remove the personal and unique touch from your business.)

Moreover, AI can assist in retention strategies by analyzing trends among current members. By understanding what keeps your clients coming back, you can introduce loyalty programs or special events that cater to their interests, creating a sense of community in your studio.

Consider also the potential for virtual classes. AI can help create immersive experiences with real-time feedback on movements and postures, making online learning more interactive. This not only broadens your reach beyond local clientele but also adds a modern twist to your offerings.

Incorporating AI into your pole dance business is not just about staying current; it’s about thriving in a competitive landscape. By leveraging technology to enhance customer relationships, optimize operations, and transform marketing strategies, you can create a vibrant and sustainable business that resonates with clients and keeps them coming back for more.

 

Analysis

Of the two blog posts written by AI, Hix AI, which has a very limited free version (only 300 words a day) did write better copy and both address some of the same positive and negative uses we identified.

However, so far, everything AI boasts it can do for the pole industry is better done by some simple coding and human review. Automating monotonous tasks is great, but not worth the hefty price currently on quality AI technology. If you do choose to use AI in your pole dance business, make sure to always double check it!