AI. From Curiosity to Capability
In my last newsletter, we explored the desire to engage with AI, how it can save you time, spark creativity, and future-proof your skills.
I explained that I am using the ADKAR® model to drive your adoption of AI, and hopefully, I lit the desire within you. In this newsletter, we answer the question, “What do I need to know?” We are addressing the KNOWLEDGE stage of the model.
You need to know how to ask questions, experiment safely, and apply AI where it helps you the most.
I have included this quote from Ginni Rometty, former CEO of IBM, in each of my AI newsletters, as it sums up the opportunity that will be missed if you do not adapt and adopt AI. It is not your competitor. It is your partner.
“AI will not replace humans, but those who use AI will replace those who don't.”
Education
To build your AI knowledge, you need to educate yourself.
Analysts
Have a look at what the analysts are saying about AI today and into the future.
Gartner has an Emerging Tech Radar: Generative AI.
Read the various studies, research and reports on AI from the MIT Technology Review.
You can get the latest AI insights and strategic perspectives from Forrester analysts and experts.
Learning
Check out the courses on LinkedIn Learning related to AI.
Here are some suggestions to get you started.
Demystifying ChatGPT and Generative AI
AI-Powered Presentations: Crafting Compelling PowerPoints with ChatGPT and Copilot
Introduction to Artificial Intelligenc
How to Use Generative AI: Building an AI-First Mindset
Another source for online learning is Coursera. Here are some suggestions.
Generative AI: Prompt Engineering Basics
Prompt Engineering for ChatGPT
The Khan Academy also offers free courses.
Library services
The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) is an Australian government agency. It has a wealth of information on AI in its Library Services. It contains information on getting started, a glossary of terms, guidance on AI literacy, evaluation and an exploration of generative AI tools.
Platforms
There are numerous AI tools and platforms, and their number is growing daily.
These are some of the most popular ones today.
Copilot is a range of chat-based, generative AI tools to enhance productivity and workflow by providing context assistance, automating tasks, and analysing data. They can be used standalone or integrated into Microsoft products, services, and devices.
ChatGPT is a powerful language model chatbot created by OpenAI that uses natural language processing (NLP) to generate human-like text responses. It can engage in conversations, answer questions, and even create different forms of text, including articles, code, and creative content.
Claude is a family of large language models (LLMs) developed by Anthropic, designed to be a helpful, honest, and harmless AI assistant. It can be accessed through a chat interface and API for various text-based tasks, including summarisation, editing, Q&A, and coding.
Google Gemini is a family of multimodal large language models (LLMs) developed by Google DeepMind, designed to be a more capable AI assistant than Google Assistant.
Perplexity AI is a chat-based conversational search engine that uses various deep learning and large language models to answer user queries.
ChatGPT and Claude are conversational chatbots, but there are also photo and video editing platforms, such as Canva and CapCut, and writing assistants, like QuillBot and Grammarly.
The question to ask yourself is, “What do I want help with?” and find the AI tool or platform that will help. Many have free trials, so you have time to explore before buying.
If you’re just trying to learn how AI works, upgrades probably aren’t necessary. Try them all out, and then consider upgrading if you find one that you prefer and meets your needs.
AI literacy
Before you can start experimenting and exploring AI, you must be aware of AI literacy.
According to CSIRO, “AI literacy refers to the skills and competencies needed to interact critically and meaningfully with AI technologies and applications. It includes understanding the embedded principles and limitations of each version of AI programs and being able to critically evaluate – and question, when necessary, - their context, design and implementations.”
Becoming AI literate means you are equipped with the knowledge and skills to use, understand, and interact with AI. It enables you to make informed decisions about AI technologies, understand their implications and navigate the ethical considerations they present.
Being AI literate means that you are actively learning about the technologies involved and that you critically approach any texts you read that concern AI, especially news articles.
There are many types of Gen AI, and each comes with its own advantages and disadvantages. Gen AI is a tool like any other, making it important to choose the appropriate tool for the task. By assessing the outputs produced, you can identify inaccuracies, misinformation, disinformation, and bias.
Evaluation
A common tool for AI evaluation is called ROBOT. It can be used when you are reading about and using AI to help you consider the legitimacy of the technology.
ROBOT stands for Reliability, Objective, Bias, Ownership and Type. You can read about the test at The LibrAIry, who are the authors of the tool.
This is the test in brief.
Reliability
· How reliable is the information available about the AI technology?
· If it’s not produced by the party responsible for the AI, what are the author’s credentials? Bias?
· If it is produced by the party responsible for the AI, how much information are they making available?
o Is information only partially available due to trade secrets?
o How biased is the information that they produce?
Objective
· What is the goal or objective of the use of AI?
· What is the goal of sharing information about it?
· To inform?
· To convince?
· To find financial support?
Bias
· What could create bias in the AI technology?
· Are there ethical issues associated with this?
· Are bias or ethical issues acknowledged?
o By the source of information?
o By the party responsible for the AI?
o By its users?
Owner
· Who is the owner or developer of the AI technology?
· Who is responsible for it?
o Is it a private company?
o The government?
o A think tank or research group?
· Who has access to it?
· Who can use it?
Type
· Which subtype of AI is it?
· Is the technology theoretical or applied?
· What kind of information system does it rely on?
· Does it rely on human intervention?
The role of leadership in creating AI knowledge
While individuals can map out their journey to increase their knowledge of AI, leaders also play a pivotal role.
Leaders must foster an environment of psychological safety, allowing employees to explore and experiment without the fear of repercussions or reprisals if things do not go as planned. It is acceptable not to know, and it is acceptable not to get it right the first time. Leaders must ensure that there is no judgment.
In most cases, leaders are not AI experts, and they are on a learning journey too. They should share their learning with their employees and discuss what they have learned, as well as the mistakes they made.
Leaders must create time and an environment that allows employees to experiment and explore. There must be dedicated learning time and safe sandboxes in which to play. Invest in some of the education and learning materials mentioned earlier in this newsletter. Education must include data privacy, bias awareness and human oversight.
Leaders must alleviate the fear of AI. AI is not replacing employees; rather, it is enhancing the value and satisfaction of the work humans do by eliminating the noise and drudgery. It not only improves the personal and professional lives of employees, but also that of the team and the organisation.
The need to become AI-savvy must be connected to a purpose. It could be providing employees with more capacity, reducing burnout, improving the customer experience, enhancing creativity, increasing productivity without increasing headcount, or many other reasons. Whatever it is, there must be a purpose to the learning.
Up next
In my next newsletter, we will delve into the ABILITY phase of the ADKAR model and discuss how to transition from experimenting with AI to seamlessly integrating it into your workflow—safely, consistently, and with increasing confidence.