When Your Team Starts Using AI: With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility
"Know thy robot," someone famous might've said if they lived in this digital age. And that was my mission when I recently conducted a workshop for my team.
With machines like ChatGPT becoming as ubiquitous in the office as coffee machines (though not as steaming hot, of course!), it was time to dig deeper into the heart of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
A Blast from the Past
We dived headfirst into the history of AI, exploring its growth rings like the trunk of an old tree. We revisited the early musings of AI—remember Eliza and the Turing Test? It's almost like visiting your great-grandparents and realising, "Hey, we have the same nose!"
Just like understanding where we come from is essential, so is understanding the origins of the machines we interact with daily.
Different Machines, Different Vibes
Not all machines are created equal, so we explored the different shades of machine learning:
Supervised (like a strict school teacher)
Unsupervised (the free-spirited artist)
Reinforced (somewhere in the middle, a bit of a mix of both worlds)
And as we went through the AI hall of fame, labelling products and software, it was like sorting through candies in a candy store—each with its unique flavour and purpose.
Rules of Engagement
But the workshop wasn't just a nostalgic ride or a tech-labeling spree. We got down to brass tacks. Why are we using AI? When do we use it? And perhaps more crucially, when should we zip the lips of our robot buddies and NOT use them? Because while data is a treasure trove of insights, it's also a responsibility.
As I often say, "Handle with care because data isn’t just data; it's trust."
“The recent workshop on AI truly expanded my perspective. While I've always been familiar with AI and its utilities, I hadn't given much thought to its broader implications. I mean, we utilize this tech daily without much thought, don't we? Recognizing just how much it streamlines our tasks and conserves our precious time was quite an eye-opener. The emphasis on responsible use was particularly enlightening. It was an invaluable session that deepened my understanding.” - Liana Maria Turiga | Digital Designer and Marketer
The Great AI Bamboozle
Then came the pièce de résistance of the workshop. I divided the team into pairs and threw at them a challenge: analyse customer segments and predict interactions with the Helpcenter. A simple task? Well, let's just say I might've set the clock a tad too fast.
Did I hear a collective groan? Sure did. But then, I witnessed something spectacular. Instead of throwing in the towel, they turned to ChatGPT for quick-fire solutions.
Sly move, but expected!
And while our AI pal dished out ideas at lightning speed, it became clear that the human touch was irreplaceable. Our ability to critically evaluate, filter, and refine the machine's outputs makes us the true captains of this ship.
A New Dawn
“To deep dive into the ever-growing AI phenomenon can be a complex process; thus, it was insightful to participate in Judit's AI workshop. To learn about AI's origin and history, as well as the different uses thereof, her information about AI and ChatGPT expanded my knowledge of the infamous AI tool as a helpful partner on (some of) my written projects. I am intrigued to use AI in my work as a content writer to support my research and writings in the future; because, as we realized during the assignments she threw at us when divided in pairs during the workshop, AI can be a reliable partner when used correctly and responsibly. “ - Stine Boye Rasmussen | Copywriter and Content Creator
By the end of the workshop, the air was thick—not with confusion, but with enlightenment. With a solid grasp of AI's history, its diverse species, and its application, we were ready to ride the digital wave responsibly.
And guess what? The ripples from our workshop have started to spread.
Our workplace is on its way to being pioneers, crafting AI usage guidelines for our staff handbook. Because, as I always believe, with great power (read: AI) comes great responsibility (as Uncle Ben said).
Remember, folks, in the dance of machines and humans, it's always better when we lead.
