Thinking with AI, Working with Humans

Embracing AI as a Collaborative Partner

Satya Nadella, the CEO of Microsoft, recently shared a thought that resonated deeply with me: “I always describe it as I think with AI, work with humans.” This simple yet profound statement captures the essence of how we should approach artificial intelligence—not as a replacement for human effort, but as a tool that enhances our thinking and collaboration.

The Temptation to Let AI Take Over

Let's be honest—the first time many of us used tools like ChatGPT or Copilot, the immediate reaction was, "Wow, this can do my tasks for me!" It's alluring to imagine AI handling our workloads while we sit back. If it's not already obvious to you; relying on AI to do the work for you will lead to unintended consequences. Funny enough - they are the same consequences you've always had when it comes to professional laziness.

A Cautionary Tale: When AI Becomes a Crutch

Consider this scenario: A company decides to launch a new product offering —a fresh take on an industry standard. The CEO, eager to innovate, turns to a chatbot for ideation. But instead of providing clear objectives, examples, or context, they feed it a minimal prompt with no real direction.

The AI generates a disjointed concept of what the product should be when sold, scoped, and delivered. It incorrectly uses a heap of industry terms that seem plausible on the surface but don't really make sense if you think about it for more than a second. Excited by the quick output, the CEO hands this over to the sales team. They, in turn, build presentations, battle cards, and documentation based on this fragmented idea.

Fast forward a year. The project reaches the delivery stage, and suddenly, cracks begin to show. The team struggles to align on objectives, the product doesn't meet customer expectations, and confusion reigns. The client is unhappy, deadlines are missed, and the company's reputation takes a hit.

What went wrong? By letting AI do the thinking for them without proper guidance or oversight, the organization built its foundation on shaky ground. The initial lack of clarity cascaded through every step of the sales cycle, leading to failure with no real lesson learned.

The Difference Between Thinking With AI and Relying On AI

This story highlights a critical point: AI is a powerful tool, but it's not a substitute for human insight and leadership. When we think with AI, we collaborate—using it to enhance our ideas, organize our thoughts, and explore possibilities. But when we expect AI to do the work for us, we abdicate responsibility, leading to outcomes that may not align with our goals.

The Importance of Clear Communication and Context

AI tools like ChatGPT excel when given detailed prompts with clear objectives and context. They can assist in brainstorming, offer suggestions, and help organize complex information. However, they lack true understanding and can't read between the lines. Without proper guidance, AI can produce outputs that are off-base or misaligned with your vision.

In the story above, the CEO's minimal prompt led to an incoherent product concept. This not only wasted time but also set the entire project up for failure. It's a cautionary tale about the importance of human input at every stage of the process.

Avoiding the Pitfalls: How to Effectively Collaborate with AI

So, how do we harness AI's capabilities without falling into these traps?

• Provide Clear Objectives: When using AI, be specific about what you're trying to achieve. Outline your goals, provide context, and set parameters.

• Use AI as a Starting Point: Let AI generate ideas or organize information, but don't let it be the final authority. Review and refine the output with your expertise.

• Maintain Human Oversight: Always cross-check AI-generated content. Ensure it aligns with your objectives and resonates with your audience.

• Encourage Team Collaboration: Involve your team in reviewing AI outputs. Collective human insights can catch errors and improve the final product.

• Invest in Understanding AI Limitations: Educate yourself and your team about what AI can and cannot do. Recognize that AI lacks human judgment, emotion, and ethical considerations.

An AI Success Story

Early in 2024 I had this complicated and personal decision to make. My Daughter has been homeschooled since the beginning and has been desperate to 'experience what everyone else experiences' and go to high school starting in the 9th grade. There were tons of factors - way too many to list here - and the path from 'home school to high school' had too many variables and was starting to stress me out.

I popped open a word doc and just started hammering away at the keyboard with thoughts, feelings, wishes, worries, etc... I then created a prompt explaining what I wanted, why I wanted it - I gave some examples of the formatting I wanted in the output and then I pasted-in that 2,500 word document. Before I hit the button I asked for 3 options on how I could get her there.

What came out, in under 5 seconds of course, was a near-perfectly organized list of MY thoughts organized in 3 different ways that made sense. I picked one, dove in and edited it before feeding it back into GPT with the prompt of 'Create an argument against why I should do this' - this went on for days before I got exactly what I wanted and put it into action.

Embracing a Balanced Approach

Satya Nadella's (or whomever came up with that line) wisdom lies in the balance—thinking with AI and working with humans. AI can process vast amounts of data, identify patterns, and offer suggestions at a speed we can't match. It appears superhuman. But humans bring creativity, empathy, and critical thinking to the table.

By collaborating with AI, we can enhance our capabilities without losing the human touch that is essential for success. It's about partnership, not replacement.

Final Thoughts: Leading in an AI-Integrated World

As we navigate this AI-driven landscape, let's remember that technology is a tool, not a crutch. Over-reliance can lead to missteps, but thoughtful collaboration can propel us to new heights.

Commit to:

• Active Engagement: Stay involved in every step. Use AI to support, not supplant, your efforts.

• Continuous Learning: Understand AI's evolving capabilities and limitations. Keep learning and adapting.

• Human Connection: Prioritize communication and teamwork. AI can't replace the value of human relationships.

By thinking with AI and working with humans, we can innovate responsibly and effectively. Let's embrace this approach to avoid the pitfalls of over-reliance and unlock the true potential of AI as our collaborative partner.

Thanks for being part of this journey with me. Together, let's lead the way in this new era—combining the best of technology with the irreplaceable qualities that make us human.