AI as a Force Multiplier

When people ask me about AI, they usually want to know if it's "worth the hype." After spending years working with businesses on their AI initiatives, my answer is simple: It depends on how you use it.

I use AI every day, but not in the way most people think. I don't use it to replace my thinking or creativity. Instead, I use it to multiply my efforts and save time on routine tasks.

Here's how I leverage AI as a force multiplier:

Programming and Development: Claude (via Cursor) has become my go-to partner when I'm coding. Rather than spending hours hunting down a bug in Python or trying to optimize a SQL query, or trying to figure out how to do something, I can get suggestions in seconds. Does it always give me the correct answer? No. Does it cause me grief sometimes? Yes. But it gives me a starting point that's usually 80% correct, saving hours of research and trial-and-error. Claude’s Composer functionality has started to be a great ‘second developer’ to kick projects/development off and/or solve problems I‘m having.

Content Creation and Editing: I use AI (in most cases, Claude)for outlining and editing and ideation for content. When I'm stuck on a topic, I'll ask for five potential angles to explore. This helps me break through writer's block without taking over the creative process.

Research and Analysis: Instead of spending hours collecting and organizing information, I use AI to summarize key points from multiple sources. I still verify everything, but it significantly cuts my research time. Perplexity has become my go-to for initial research on a topic.

The Real Value Proposition

The true power of AI isn't replacing humans but handling the time-consuming tasks that keep us from doing our best work. Think of it as having a brilliant assistant who can:

• Draft initial responses to routine emails

• Summarize long documents or meeting transcripts

• Generate first drafts of reports or presentations

• Create basic code structures that you can refine

Making It Work For Your Organization

Here's how to start leveraging AI as a time multiplier for your organization:

1. Start Small: Pick one routine task that takes up too much time. Maybe it's summarizing weekly reports or drafting initial customer responses.

2. Set Clear Boundaries: Define where AI assists and where human judgment is required. Never automate critical decisions or customer relationships.

3. Measure Impact: Track time saved and quality improvements. If AI isn't saving you time or maintaining quality, reassess your approach.

4. Train Your Team: Show your people how to use AI tools effectively. Make it clear that AI is about augmentation, not replacement.

AI isn't magic. It's a tool. Like any tool, its value depends entirely on how you use it. Companies waste millions on AI initiatives because they try to use it for everything. Don't make that mistake.

Start with the mundane tasks that eat up your team's time. Free them to focus on what humans do best: strategic thinking, relationship building, and creative problem-solving.

That's where the real multiplication happens.

What routine tasks are eating up your team's time? Those are probably your best opportunities for AI augmentation.

If you found this post helpful, consider sharing it with another executive grappling with AI, technology, and data. If you want to explore AI and other Technology strategies, grab some time on my calendar, and let's chat.

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