2.Make Gen AI Your Friend at Work

What’s the latest technological advancement that’s shaping our future? Generative AI. It’s everywhere—reshaping how we work, create, and innovate. But before we get ahead of ourselves, let’s take a step back and ask: What exactly is Generative AI, and why is it making such a massive impact?

Per Wikipedia: Generative artificial intelligence is a subset of artificial intelligence that uses generative models to produce text, images, videos, or other forms of data. These models learn the underlying patterns and structures of their training data and use them to produce new data based on the input, which often comes in the form of natural language prompts.[1]

Essentially, Generative AI relies heavily on probability. It uses probabilistic models to predict and generate content based on learned patterns from its training data.For example, when a language model like ChatGPT generates text, it doesn’t retrieve pre-written sentences. Instead, it predicts the next word (or token) based on the probability of what is most likely to follow the given input. This probability is determined by analyzing vast amounts of text data and recognizing patterns in language use.

Generative AI unlocks a vast spectrum of possibilities, from cutting-edge technical advancements to everyday efficiency boosters. While its potential spans industries and specialized applications, this article hones in on practical, actionable strategies to harness its power for enhancing productivity in day-to-day work—helping you think faster, work smarter, and streamline tasks effortlessly

USE CASE 1: It Can Help You Get Over Writer's Block

• In this context, it refers to those moments when we feel stuck—whether it's the launch of a new project, a complex problem statement that feels overwhelming, or simply not knowing where to begin. In such situations, AI can serve as a valuable thinking partner by helping to structure scattered thoughts into a coherent framework. Simply start typing out what's on your mind and ask it to brainstorm with you—just as you would with a friend or a colleague.

  • You can prompt the query as: “Hey, I need a thought partner to help me think through [Enter your problem statement]. What are some aspects to keep in mind while thinking through this problem statement?”

  • Another example could be: “Hey, What are some creative ways to solve [Enter your challenge]?"

  • "Want to hear the best prompt of all? Try this: 'Hey, what are some prompts I can use to brainstorm ideas for [Enter your topic]?”

The tool itself can tell you how it can and should be used! So, it’s just a matter of getting started.

USE CASE 2: It Can Be Your Friend Or Teacher

• Need to test your knowledge after a recent training or quiz yourself on a new topic? Generative AI can act as both a study companion and a virtual tutor, helping reinforce what you’ve learned. Whether you want to check your retention, challenge yourself with practice questions, or gain a deeper understanding of key concepts, AI can provide the support you need. Here’s how you can leverage it effectively:

  • If you're working with specific material, upload the content so the AI can familiarize itself with the topic before quizzing you. Then, use a prompt like: "Hey, I need to check how well I’ve understood the concepts in the attached material. Can you ask me some key questions?"

  • If it’s a general topic that can be sourced from the web, the AI can start quizzing you right away. Simply use the prompt "Hey, can you quiz me on [Enter topic]?" and it will generate relevant questions based on the subject you shared, while also reviewing your responses for accuracy.

  • You can tailor prompts based on your learning style for a more personalized experience. One approach I find particularly helpful is requesting explanations with real-life examples. For instance, you could ask: “Hey, can you explain [Enter topic] using real-world examples?” This makes complex concepts easier to understand and apply.

With AI as your companion, you can transform passive learning into an interactive experience, making it easier to retain knowledge and apply it with confidence.

USE CASE 3: Use Persona Based Interaction Or Querying

• Generative AI can simulate different viewpoints—whether from a client, manager, or colleague—helping you anticipate questions, strengthen your arguments, and refine your communication. This allows you to be better prepared for discussions, negotiations, and decision-making processes. Now, imagine you've received multiple documents that you need to analyze and synthesize in preparation for an important meeting. Instead of manually parsing through all the information, you can leverage AI to streamline the process. Here’s how you can efficiently prepare:

  • Start by uploading all relevant documents and asking Generative AI for a concise TL;DR (Too Long; Didn’t Read) summary. This will provide you with a high-level overview of the key points, saving you time and effort. If certain aspects require more clarity, you can probe deeper by asking follow-up questions on specific points from the summary.For example, you can prompt “Can you dive deeper into point [#] and extract references in the material to this topic?” . Continue using this technique until you feel like you have a good grasp of the attached material.

  • Next, enhance the AI’s response by providing context on the perspective or lens through which the material should be analyzed. For instance, you could prompt: "I’m an executive at a marketing firm. Based on the uploaded documents, what are the key takeaways that would be most relevant for executive-level decision-making?" By tailoring the AI's analysis to your specific role, you ensure that the insights provided are not only relevant but also actionable.

  • Alternatively, you could provide a list of the diverse stakeholders involved in the meeting and ask it to generate perspectives from each one. This will help you anticipate potential questions and prepare for different viewpoints. For example, you could prompt, “In this discussion, we have the HR, Finance, and Technology Leaders. What points of disagreement might arise among these leaders when this presentation is shared?”

By leveraging Generative AI this way, you can significantly enhance your preparation, ensuring you approach your meeting with clarity, confidence, and a well-rounded understanding of the material from multiple perspectives.

As mentioned earlier, the information provided by Generative AI is based on probabilistic models, which means that while it aims to offer relevant and accurate content, there may be instances where its predictions or outputs are not entirely precise. It's important to remember that, due to the nature of AI-driven content generation, occasional discrepancies or inaccuracies can occur. Therefore, it’s essential to always review the material for accuracy and ensure that the information aligns with your requirements before using or sharing it.

Generative AI isn’t just a tool—it’s like having a thought partner at work. By using it strategically, you can boost productivity, creativity, and decision-making, all while sharpening your own critical thinking.

What are some interesting ways in which you have used Generative AI to boost productivity?