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Let’s be real – some of the AI talk can sound like pie-in-the-sky thinking.
But the reality is, AI is already here and ready to help. It’s about working with AI, not against it.
It's about removing the debris and residue from our jobs, those tasks we don’t enjoy.
AI Handles the 'What', Humans Own the 'Why': A clothing brand used AI to predict inventory with 95% accuracy, leading to a 30% sales increase. But they didn’t do it alone. AI crunched data, while human stylists created the stories. AI is your incredibly efficient apprentice, capable of drafting reports and analysing surveys.
Efficiency is Key: AI is like a really good undergraduate. It can help with the busy work, like meeting notes. One healthcare chief executive saved 10 hours a week by automating meeting notes. This frees up time for human-centric activities such as mentorship and development.
There are horror stories of AI gone wrong.
Think of the GPS dilemma, where people were driven into lakes.
That's why you need to be the co-pilot, not a passenger.
Create an AI Sandbox: Start experimenting in a safe place with low-risk areas first. A hotel chain tested AI chatbots for bookings while humans handled complaints, then merged the two for a significant jump in Trip Advisor scores. This shows how AI can be fine-tuned and optimised with human involvement.
Imagine an orchestra. AI is the percussion section – fast, precise, rhythmic.
Humans are the conductors, the visionaries, the creators.
We blend the rhythms of AI with the melodies of human creativity.
Here’s the secret sauce: the 20% AI Diet.
Audit your tasks: Identify the things you hate doing, like spreadsheets, number crunching, data entry, scheduling.
Give that to AI: Use existing AI tools for those tasks.
Reclaim 20% of your time: Focus on what humans do best - coaching, brainstorming, strategising, and dreaming up the next big thing.
Ready to get started? Here are three easy steps:
AI Speed Dating: Spend 10 minutes each day testing a new AI tool, such as GPT4 for drafting emails, or Otter.ai for meeting notes. See how it can support your work. Use free tools like Fathom.video or Sona.ai to take and analyse your meeting notes.
The Bias Buster Challenge: Gather your team and use AI to analyse customer demographics. Identify gaps in the data and discuss how to fill them. Ensure your customer profile does not miss groups such as single parents or college students.
Creativity Swap: Use AI to generate 10 ideas for your business, then have your team refine the top three. This is a fun way to engage your team and critique AI's impact.
Don’t fear AI; shape it! The future belongs to leaders who ask: "How can AI help us become more human?"
Start small, dream big, and don’t outsource your curiosity.
Let AI handle the heavy lifting, and you lead with heart.