AI Can Now See What You Mean
If you’ve ever tried using an AI image tool and ended up with something that looked like a toddler’s art project… you’re not alone. Until recently, AI-generated images were hit-or-miss. You could ask for a “flyer about customer loyalty, ” and get a poster featuring… someone else’s wedding cake.
That’s because, behind the scenes, the AI brain (language) and the image builder weren’t the same system. The AI would write a description, toss it over the wall, and another less-intelligent tool would try to interpret it. Often, the results were weird, distorted, or just plain unusable.
But now? We’ve entered the era of multimodal AI – and it’s totally AH-MAY-ZING.
Example #1 – Prompt and output
Design a whimsical, rustic bakery menu for ‘The Whisk Whisperer’ featuring three signature cupcakes. Use handwritten-style fonts, watercolor illustrations of cupcakes, and place the menu on a wooden table with a coffee cup beside it. Add a small chalkboard with the words ‘Pre-orders open!’
Design a whimsical, rustic bakery menu for ‘The Whisk Whisperer’ featuring three signature cupcakes. Use handwritten-style fonts and watercolor illustrations of cupcakes, and place the menu on a wooden table with a coffee cup beside it. Add a small chalkboard with the words ‘Pre-orders open!’
So What Is Multimodal AI?
In regular-people speak, multimodal AI means that the same smart system that understands your words can now create visuals too – right from scratch. It doesn’t just describe an image to another tool. It builds the image while understanding your intent, one tiny piece at a time.
The result? Images that are clearer, smarter, and more aligned with your actual goals. Think of it like going from fax machines to smartphones overnight.
What That Means for Small Businesses and Service Pros
I was recently speaking to a group of amazing service professionals—folks who run small businesses, wear 18 hats a day, and are always juggling client work, marketing, admin, and everything in between. (If that’s you, know that I see you. You’re doing great.)
We talked about how this new AI capability isn’t just about having fun with visuals – it’s about working smarter and getting more done, faster.
Here are just a few ways we explored putting it to use:
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Quickly mock up flyers, social posts, or ads
No need to wait for inspiration or spend hours formatting. You can say, “Create a flyer for my spring cleaning special, make it look like a high-end spa ad,” and the AI gives you a clean, on-brand first draft in seconds. -
Iterate with plain-English feedback
Want the colors bolder? Ask. Prefer a handwritten font? Say so. Need to lighten the text or sharpen the image? Just tell it. The back-and-forth is easy – and doesn’t require you to know design lingo. -
Edit real images on the fly
Upload a photo of your shop or workspace and say, “Add signage for our grand opening,” or “Brighten the lighting and remove the clutter.” Boom – done. -
Turn napkin sketches into digital assets
Draw your big idea on a whiteboard, snap a pic, and ask AI to turn it into a diagram, slide, or infographic. It’s like having a visual assistant on standby.
Example #2 – Prompt and Output
Create a professional infographic outlining the 5 steps of onboarding a new coaching client. Use icons and soft brand colors (teal and gold), with each step labeled clearly: Discovery Call, Proposal, Kickoff, First Session, Progress Review. Make it look like it belongs on a high-end business consultant’s website.
Now give this infographic a border and make it look like a 3d realistic placard propped up on an easel in the lobby of a posh, modern office building.
It’s Not Just Faster – It’s Smarter
What makes this moment so exciting isn’t just speed – it’s how intuitive and flexible the process is. You’re not locked into one design or one interpretation. You can explore different versions, give feedback, tweak details, and try fresh ideas – all without needing to open a single design tool.
This means:
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You get a strong starting point for client work, marketing, or internal ideas.
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You can test concepts quickly and confidently.
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You’re less likely to stall out waiting for inspiration – or support.
And because the images are built with intelligence behind them (not just guessed by a random generator), they’re much closer to what you actually want right from the first try.
Example #3 – Prompt and Output
Design an Instagram carousel post for a dog trainer announcing a new 4-week dog training challenge. Use bold fonts, vibrant color gradients, each post should feature a Vizsla. include one image for each dog training command: sit, down, stay, cook a meal (funny). Each should have a very sort motivational message. (NOTE that it cut off the images … this is probably the most frequent issue I’ve run into, so watch out for that!)
Use It to Multiply Your Efforts
Whether you’re creating onboarding materials, social media graphics, pitch decks, or product mockups – multimodal AI helps you move from “I have a vision” to “Here’s a draft” in minutes.
And when you can visualize your ideas that quickly? You’re in a position to impress clients, test offers, and stand out in your market – all without blowing your budget or burning out.
That’s the power of these new tools. Not to replace creativity – but to fuel it.
Your Next Step: Just Ask
If you’ve been curious about trying these tools but unsure where to start, start with something small. Ask AI to design a concept you’ve been thinking about. Describe a scene. Mock up a flyer. Play. Iterate. Then, refine it.
Remember: this isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being empowered.
One of the biggest reasons I’m invited to work with small business teams is because they know AI is a big deal, but they want to use it in practical, helpful ways, not just tech for tech’s sake.
Multimodal AI is one of the most exciting developments yet. It’s powerful, accessible, and built for speed. And if you’re ready to create more, better, and faster – I’m cheering you on every step of the way.
