You're likely hearing more about artificial intelligence (AI) than you've asked for these days, and for good reason.
AI is the evolution of internet search, providing direct answers to your questions rather than links to information. And there's a lot it can do for you beyond that.
In this article, I want to show you how easy it can be to use AI and give you a few tips for getting the most out of an AI service like ChatGPT. Throughout the article, I include examples of using AI to make sense of the request for proposals (RFP) process.
If you're interested in using AI to improve your business operations, reach out to me at Morning Strategy Consulting.
Many AI services still have free options, including ChatGPT. So there's nothing to stop you from trying it out and leaving if you don't find it helpful.
Treat your AI interaction like a conversation without consequences. You can ask the AI anything and the worst thing that will happen is it'll give you junk in return.
No judgement.
Prompts are the questions and the directions you give to the AI. These are substantially different from the kinds of keyword-based searches you use in Google or Bing.
Think of a prompt more as a request to a colleague, the starting point for a dialogue between friends.
If not outright lying, assume it's unreliable. Question everything an AI delivers to you before you act on its recommendations.
AI services are trained on large sets of information, most commonly internet resources. If you've ever visited the internet, you'll see the problem immediately: there are some stinky cesspools of unreliable knowledge out there.
Even when the AI's results seem reasonable, you should consider the likely source of the information and the accuracy of any numbers or 'facts'.
When an AI gives you information, it's your job to critically review it. Assume it's inaccurate and fact check anything you're planning to act on. Call a friend, call a lawyer, do what you must to confirm the truth of statements and suggestions.
Think about your immediate process needs: are you having difficulty keeping on top of tasks, hiring or managing workers, or developing a request for proposals (RFP)? Ask the AI to define that thing and use its response as a starting point to define your problem.
It can be helpful to provide a sentence or two of context. Explain why you're asking a question, as this can help the algorithm choose better results.
The AI's first response might not be what you're looking for. So ask it to rewrite a portion to make the results serious, funny, or to include sources. Ask for more suggestions or shorter suggestions. Ask it to repair, revise, revamp.
ChatGPT remembers your past conversations and can keep iterating until you get the help you need.
Here's an example that continues along the RFP line:
Consider your use of AI as experiment. Approach it with openness and curiosity and see what you get. Play with your language, and ask the AI to dig into the parts of its responses that pique your interest.
At its core, AI is a research tool, but it doesn't have to be boring! Ask it to increase its levity and do the same with yours. Have fun!
