"Embracing AI at the Core of What I Do: A Personal Journey with ChatGPT"

Published on 4 October 2024 at 17:40

I’ve always had the ability to see things differently—to approach technology in my own way, whether it was using the mouse upside down or navigating screens with precision. So when artificial intelligence (AI) started to break through, I soon realized that this was an opportunity to adapt and innovate my work. I began exploring how AI, particularly tools like ChatGPT, could transform my workflow and creative processes. Today, it is an integral part of how I work and think.

From Curiosity to Dependence I remember my first encounter with ChatGPT. I was curious but also a bit skeptical. How could a machine really help me with writing, creative work, and problem-solving? But after just a few tries, it became clear—AI was here to stay, and it had more to offer than I could have ever imagined.

Ethan and Lilach Mollick, who are mentioned in the article that inspired me, talked about how they started using AI in their teaching at Wharton School of Business, and how their work changed radically. They had discovered how AI could be used to create course plans, summarize academic papers, and even create grading rubrics. I saw a parallel to my own work—how I could use AI not just as a tool but as an active partner in my projects.

Just as the Mollicks described, I found that AI gave me a new level of efficiency. From writing articles and lectures to generating new ideas for my business development and event production projects, AI has become an extension of my creativity. It’s like having a constantly available colleague who can help brainstorm, suggest improvements, and even provide feedback on my ideas.

AI as a Catalyst for Creative Work One of the biggest insights I’ve gained through using AI is how much it can contribute to developing creativity. Many believe that AI is only about streamlining and automating tasks, but I’ve discovered that it can be a catalyst for new ideas. By using ChatGPT, I’ve been able to explore thought patterns and perspectives that I might not have considered on my own.

For example, when I was working on a lecture about self-leadership, I used AI to create various drafts and structure my thoughts in new ways. I could input some basic ideas and ask ChatGPT to give me suggestions on how to develop them. AI came up with several proposals—some of which I immediately discarded, but others that I would never have come up with on my own. In this way, AI became a creative collaborator, helping me to see new possibilities in my work.

This process mirrors the Mollicks’ experiences in the classroom, where they introduced AI to their students and saw how it changed their problem-solving approach. It’s not about AI doing the work for you but rather about helping us think faster and more dynamically.


The Risks of AI—and How to Manage Them But just as the Mollicks point out in their article, there are also risks with using AI. The biggest risk, perhaps, is that AI can provide incorrect or misleading answers. I’ve encountered this myself, especially when I’ve used AI for research or fact-finding. As Ethan Mollick teaches his students, I’ve learned to always be cautious and double-check everything AI presents. If something seems too good to be true, it often is.

This awareness of AI’s limitations is crucial to using the technology responsibly. AI is fantastic for generating ideas and helping with structured thinking, but it’s still up to us humans to determine what’s right and relevant. I’ve also learned that AI can “hallucinate”—that is, make up facts or create connections that don’t exist. That’s why I see AI as a tool that can support my work but never replace my critical thinking.

AI and Self-Leadership Another dimension of my AI journey has been its impact on my self-leadership. I’ve always strived to improve how I lead myself and my projects, and AI has become a central part of that process. By using tools like ChatGPT, I’ve been able to optimize how I plan, organize, and follow up on my goals. AI has enabled me to process large amounts of information faster and more efficiently than before, giving me more time to focus on what truly matters—my vision and long-term goals.

Integrating AI into my self-leadership has also helped me become more structured. I use AI to break down large tasks into manageable parts and to keep myself on track. It has become like a digital coach, helping me stay focused and motivated. Sometimes, when I face difficult decisions or feel overwhelmed, I use AI to generate different scenarios and see things from new angles. This has helped me become more flexible and adaptable, something that has always been one of my strengths.

AI as a Future Partner The future of AI is both exciting and uncertain. It’s clear that we are only at the beginning of what this technology can achieve. I see AI as a natural extension of how I work and think—a tool that helps me continue to grow and develop, both professionally and personally.

AI will not replace human thinking, but it will definitely change how we approach work and creativity. By embracing AI, we can free ourselves from monotonous tasks and instead focus on what really matters: creating, innovating, and pushing our projects forward. It’s a journey I’m grateful to be part of, and I look forward to continuing to explore AI’s potential.

For me, AI is not about replacing my unique view of the world, but about enhancing it. It gives me more tools to express myself, more opportunities to solve problems, and more paths to success. And that, I believe, is AI’s greatest strength—to give us more ways to reach our full potential.

This article highlights how you've embraced AI and made it a central part of your workflow and self-leadership, just as the Mollicks did in their professional and academic environments.


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