Steampunk, AI, and the Fine Line Between Authenticity and Fakery in Business Presentations

A Steampunk-themed TikTok video recently caught my attention—hyper-stylised AI-generated images of impossibly handsome men in immaculate Victorian clothing. None of it was real, of course, but it looked stunning.

As someone who writes a daily blog, Fare Bella Figura: Make A Good Impression, Be A Sharp Dressed Man, I’m deeply invested in how men shape first impressions. Before we speak a single word, visual cues set the tone—and people judge accordingly.

But the Steampunk imagery raised a bigger question:
When does AI enhance a presentation—and when does it cross the line into distracting fakery?

Mini-summary:
AI can enhance perception, but it can also distort authenticity. Business presenters need to understand where the line is drawn.

Platforms like Canva, Beautiful.ai, and Visme use AI to elevate our slides far beyond the basic templates of the past. If you’re unsure about design direction, tools like Microsoft Designer and Google Slides AI propose layouts and visual themes.

For numbers, Infogram and Datawrapper identify suitable chart types automatically.
That said, a simple guideline still works:

• Trends → Line graphs

• Short-term comparisons → Bar charts

• Proportional comparisons → Pie charts

The AI may be impressive, but clarity—not complexity—should be the goal.

Mini-summary:
AI can create sophisticated slide designs, but presenters must prioritise clarity over decoration.

AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Jasper can draft presentation scripts in either formal or conversational tones. Meanwhile, Grammarly and ProWritingAid assist with grammar and style.

These tools are helpful, but not infallible. They require human judgement to avoid awkward phrasing or incorrect assumptions.

Mini-summary:
AI can accelerate writing, but presenters must retain ownership and editorial intelligence.

Apps like Orai and Speeko can now analyse pacing, tone, filler words, and pronunciation. I plan to test them during future rehearsals.

One concern:
Will they provide constructive Good/Better feedback—or demoralising critique?

When rehearsing with human listeners, I always instruct them to use a Good/Better feedback framework, never negative criticism. AI tools should be treated the same way: helpful guides, not harsh judges.

Mini-summary:
Use AI delivery tools as supportive coaches, not final arbiters of your speaking skill.

Mentimeter, Slido, and the High-Tech Approach

These platforms allow presenters to run live polls and gather instant feedback. They look slick and impress the audience.

But analog tools—like Yes/No paddles or a simple raise of hands—often accomplish the same objective. The key is engagement, not technological sophistication.

Reading the Room: Still a Human Skill

AI tools like Beyond Verbal and Emotional AI claim to interpret facial expressions and vocal reactions.

Useful? Maybe.
Necessary? Not at all.

Nothing replaces a presenter’s ability to watch the audience’s faces and adjust accordingly.

Mini-summary:
AI can support audience engagement, but human observation remains unmatched.

AI-heavy slide decks can become so captivating that the audience stops watching you. Videos, animations, and cinematic effects can eclipse the human delivering the message.

This is dangerous.

A business presentation is not a movie.
It is not a design showcase.
It is a human moment between the speaker and the audience.

When AI overshadows the speaker, authenticity is lost—and persuasion suffers.

Mini-summary:
AI should support, not overshadow, the speaker. The presenter must remain the centre of attention.

Steampunk imagery shows us the extreme: visually spectacular, utterly fake, deeply appealing—and impossible to match in real life.

Presenters are heading down a similar path if they allow AI to dominate their slides, scripts, and delivery.

We should use AI:

• in moderation,

• strategically,

• in service of clarity,

• while preserving human authenticity.

But we must never allow it to become the star.

The real talent, the real differentiator, and the real connection happens between you and your audience. That relationship is irreplaceable.

Mini-summary:
AI is a powerful tool, but presenters must protect the human element. We—not the technology—must remain the focal point.

Founded in the U.S. in 1912, Dale Carnegie Training has supported individuals and companies worldwide for over a century in leadership, sales, presentation, executive coaching, and DEI.
Our Tokyo office, established in 1963, has been empowering both Japanese companies and multinational firms ever since.