Artificial Intelligence (AI) is slowly becoming an accepted part of our everyday lives. We see it everywhere from Google searches to AI generated art posted on social media. AI has reached the point where we have normalized it and use it with very little of caution. When we ask our iPhones for information, we trust the AI generated answers. Some embrace it fully and others are much more hesitant. Personally, I am not yet as comfortable with it as many others are, but I see many benefits and uses.
A little while ago, I was talking to a physician friend who showed me how he uses AI to generate clinical notes when he is seeing patients. He lays down his iPhone on the table when he examines a patient and turns the AI program on. I do not know what program he uses specifically but my understanding is that it is for medical use specifically. The program listens to what he says to the patient and formulates notes. These notes can be read by the patient immediately after the appointment. The AI program can also help with diagnosis based on these notes and suggest possible treatment plans. He explained to me that the AI program can even submit the prescriptions to the pharmacy automatically for him. However, he chooses not to use this feature because he is afraid of errors in medications being dispensed. I applaud this physician for his caution as the risks are significant. My own approach to AI is similar. I see it as a tool and like any tools, but it is not perfect. It helps to get some things done but it cannot be left unchecked.
Recently, I developed an advanced doctoral level business analytics course for a university that I work for. I used ChatGPT to generate some text to review the statistical theory to be used in the online shell for the course. It was easier and faster than for me to write it from scratch. When I reviewed what AI generated, it was quite accurate. Some minor edits were needed but for the most part the quality was acceptable. Students perceived these AI generated narratives very helpful as they were looking for quick summaries to preview the theories that they needed to understand. I would encourage professors, trainers, instructional designers, and course developers to use AI in this fashion. We cannot ethically use AI for writing academic papers and research as we need to be careful with plagiarism and academic integrity. However, there are certainly uses within academia or training and development industry that are ethical and appropriate.
Another example of a reasonable use of AI was when I was doing some prospecting and reaching out to potential clients via email. I asked ChatGPT to generate emails for me that would not be too salesy but at the same time offer my help to my potential consulting clients in a tasteful and friendly matter. I was impressed with the tone of these emails. While I am a decent writer and skilled in written communication, AI was able to make an improvement to my normal email tone. Therefore, I decided to go even further. When I met with my clients for the first time, I asked ChatGPT to write an agenda and outline for my first meeting with them. While I do not normally use scripts for my meetings with clients, these outlines were very helpful. After these experiences, I would certainly encourage consultants to experiment with AI and seek for ways that it can enhance interactions with clients. Using these tools does not mean that we could not write emails or outlines ourselves. We can, but using these tools can take it to the next level.
After some positive experiences, my own comfort level with using AI has improved. I teach an online course in basic computer science concepts and one week in the course focuses on AI. During this week, my students share their experiences of using AI in a discussion assignment. They often share concerns about how AI may be causing people to lose their jobs in the future. Some have safety concerns regarding the widespread use of AI. However, for the most part, my students perceive AI as a promising technology that has the potential of improving lives. They see the possibilities in how it can be used effectively in business and have experimented with AI already. Some discuss AI notetakers during business meetings. Many of them are already using Gemini to take notes when they have Google Meet calls. Some prefer to use Notion AI or other applications to take notes during meetings. I personally use Fathom and have found it very useful. The time saved is very significant.
There are many different AI applications for small business use. I personally use ChatGPT only because it is what I am the most familiar with. I have not yet tried ChatGPT 5 which some experts are calling a major improvement from ChatGPT 4. I would encourage business owners to find what works for them. Entrepreneurs may want to try SparkRockets to help them to generate business plans. Marketers may want to use Canva Magic Studio do develop powerful brands and to help with marketing efforts. Personally, I find QuickBooks with AI a game changer. I have used QuickBooks for many years but have never really enjoyed it a lot. The AI features have helped me a lot, making bookkeeping work more enjoyable. Similarly, I have found Wix AI website builder to be impressive. Every business needs a website and with AI, business owners can easily build their own websites. Paying others to build websites is unnecessary with the use of these development tools.
AI can be a powerful tool when used with proper care and caution. It can enhance our lives when used appropriately. Owning and operating a business is challenging which is why business owners can benefit from any help that they can get. Using AI wisely can help businesses to be successful. It can help to operate business with effectiveness and efficiency.
