Dont's and Do's of AI

TRUTH: I was little nervous about releasing the most recent podcast episode focused on AI. I mean, who am I to talk tech?

ALSO THE TRUTH: I received more emails and social media messages thanking and congratulating me on this episode than any other recent episode.

What’s the lesson here? Sometimes taking a risk – beyond your comfort zone – can reap rewards. Of course, I was careful to stay in my lane as a communication coach with this content.

This week I share 3 DON’Ts and 3 DO’s with you.

An aside: I often find the DONT’s to be the most helpful. Have you ever noticed that?

Years ago when I was learning how to teach, I asked one of the top professors at Harvard Business School for any advice she had for being a better teacher in the classroom.

The first thing she said surprised me. She encouraged me to focus more on what people tell me to avoid or what NOT to do. Why? Because while what you SHOULD do is often dictated by your personal style and objectives, what you should NOT do is more universal.

This is GOLD.

6 Things to Talk About this week: (that’s 3 + 3…!)

3 DON’Ts

Don’t assume AI is correct
Don’t ignore AI
Don’t tell it what NOT to do

3 DOs

Brainstorming
Finding References
Summarizing

3 DON’Ts

1️⃣ Don’t assume AI is correct.

AI generated images of “cute cats” (YIKES)

You ask AI to generate images of cute cats, and you get… YIKES.

What about more serious topics?

A study by Ars Technica fed the US Constitution into AI detector GTPZero to see what would happen.

The AI detector concluded that most of the Constitution was written by AI.

Um. Sure.

A while ago I asked ChatGPT: “Summarize the personal brand of Executive Communication Coach Dr. Andrea Wojnicki, based on her LinkedIn profile.”

Based on the time lag of the data that’s been uploaded to ChatGPT, I assumed that the summary might be slightly out of date. But I was surprised to see that the summary generated by ChatGPT was categorically WRONG.

For example, amongst other things, it said that I had previously worked as an actor, which helped me in my role as an Executive Communication Coach.

NOPE. That ain’t true.

So always, always Fact Check what AI is generating for you. Do not assume AI is correct.

2️⃣ DON’T ignore AI.

Many AI tools are free right now and relatively easy to use. But that’s not the only reason to not avoid AI. When I was doing some research for this episode, I kept reading again and again that the most productive and employable folks are using it now. So please jump in.

Here’s an insight that might inspire you:

“Instead of losing your job to AI, consider that you might be more likely to lose your job to someone who uses AI better than you do.”

Do NOT ignore AI.

3️⃣Tell AI what to do, not what to NOT do

In other words, avoid negativity.

As in, when you’re prompting ChatGPT, instead of saying “without sounding arrogant”, try prompting “in a modest voice.” Or instead of saying “without being obvious or boring” try prompting “creative” or “clever.”

You get the idea.

3 DOs

1️⃣ Brainstorming

I frequently use AI to make sure I’m not missing anything when I’m listing suggestions for you.

For example, when I was producing Talk about Talk episode 122 on What to Wear to Work I first wrote the outline. Then I asked ChatGPT to list ten suggestions or rules for how people should dress at work. I used the list to make sure I wasn’t missing anything.

Another way I’ve used AI is to suggest relevant metaphors an analogies. This can be incredibly helpful in elevating your communication. Sometimes the best way to describe a new concept or an idea as similar to something that your audience already knows.

2️⃣ References

Much of the advice I share in coaching and workshops is grounded in academic research. I often use AI to help me quickly identify research that either backs up my advice or that supplements it.

Chances are you are not in academia and you don’t need to cite everything. But you can still use AI to back up your recommendations at work with objective references.

This is an instant credibility booster to your recommendations!

3️⃣ Summarizing

I also use AI to help me write podcast episode descriptions. These always need a heave dose of editing, but it’s a good start.

By now you may have used or at least heard about apps that summarize meetings, including who committed to what and next steps. No more meeting note-taking!

You might use AI to help you with summarizing a presentation or a white paper. Or even for data analysis. That’s summarizing.

There you go – 6 things to Talk About this week:

3 DON’Ts
1️⃣ Don’t assume AI is correct
2️⃣ Don’t ignore AI
3️⃣ Don’t tell it what NOT to do

3 DOs
4️⃣ Brainstorming
5️⃣ Finding References
6️⃣ Summarizing

Learn more in this week’s this week’s Talk About Talk podcast ep. 145 on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

I’m curious to hear what YOU Have to say about AI. Feel free to email me or chat with me on LinkedIn.

Have a great week.
Talk soon,