Key Takeaways
- Using AI tools daily could boost work productivity by about 40%, according to one expert.
- Start experimenting with AI for simple, low-risk personal tasks before using it for work.
- AI is good at handling repetitive tasks you find tedious, like drafting emails or lists.
- Popular tools like ChatGPT, Copilot, Claude, and Gemini often have free versions suitable for most users.
- Interact with AI like an assistant, providing clear instructions and examples for better results.
- Be cautious: AI isn’t always accurate (especially with math) and shouldn’t be treated as a perfect fact-checker.
- Protect sensitive information by being mindful of what you input and turning off data sharing when possible.
- Ethical considerations include data privacy, avoiding plagiarism, and the impact on critical thinking.
If you’ve been hesitant about using artificial intelligence tools, you might be missing out on a major shift, akin to an industrial revolution.
That’s the view of Nici Sweaney, CEO of AI consultancy AI Her Way. She believes incorporating AI systems into daily routines offers a significant competitive advantage.
According to the ABC, Dr Sweaney suggests that “if you use it daily in work you get about a 40 per cent increase in productivity and efficiency.” For a full-time worker, that could mean gaining nearly two extra days’ worth of productivity each week.
Common AI tools include ChatGPT, Copilot, Claude, and Gemini. However, usage isn’t uniform; studies indicate men currently use these tools in workplace settings more often than women.
Sandra Peter, from the University of Sydney Business School, likens these AI systems to having a knowledgeable and eager personal assistant who, despite being polite, can sometimes make errors.
To get started, Dr Sweaney advises using AI for low-stakes personal tasks first. Try it out for things where mistakes don’t matter much.
When considering AI for work, start with low-risk tasks. Dr Sweaney suggests listing frequent duties, like email responses or task prioritization. Mark the ones you could explain to someone else, especially those you don’t enjoy – these are ideal for AI delegation.
Dr Peter agrees, suggesting beginners categorize daily tasks and explore how AI might help. Planning and preparation are often good starting points. She encourages experimenting with different tools to find what suits you, perhaps starting simply by asking an AI to proofread text.
Dr Sweaney generally doesn’t recommend paying for AI tools initially. Most popular options offer free versions, and the difference might not be noticeable for typical users. Find one you like and learn its strengths.
Avoid treating AI like a simple search engine, warns Dr Sweaney. It performs better when treated more like an intern; give it context, examples, and clear feedback on what you want.
Dr Peter cautions that AI tools aren’t reliable for mathematics – use a calculator instead. “Don’t use it as an accuracy machine,” she advises. They are more effective at tasks like summarizing or critiquing existing content.
Zena Assaad, a senior lecturer at the Australian National University, urges caution, particularly with sensitive work information. While helpful, she notes that relying too heavily on these tools might dull our critical thinking skills.
Dr Assaad also highlights data privacy concerns. When you interact with AI, your information often helps train the system, potentially for uses you haven’t consented to. While opting out of data training is usually possible, finding how to do so can be difficult.
Dr Peter reinforces this: be very mindful of inputting confidential data or information that isn’t yours. Dr Sweaney adds a simple rule: “If you wouldn’t put it on a public forum maybe think twice about whether you want to use AI,” especially if data sharing is enabled.
Beyond privacy, Dr Peter points out other ethical considerations. Don’t present AI-generated work as your own. Also, recognise that AI often learns from vast amounts of creative work without compensating the original artists or writers.
