AI, Self-Starters, and the Future of Work

Recently, we brought on a cybersecurity intern. Internships have always been important to me—my own career started that way, and the mentors I met along the journey opened doors I didn’t even know existed.

But internships can be intimidating. No clear expectations, a room full of professionals deep into their careers, and that first experience of sitting at a desk for eight straight hours. Experienced employees are great at finding tasks and filling up their cups so there’s plenty to do throughout the day, but interns tend to need more guidance so they’re not just spinning their wheels while management finds the time and projects to employ them productively.

That’s why I’ve been so impressed with our intern. He’s not just working through our training materials—he’s mastering them, fast. And the secret weapon? AI.

Cybersecurity is notorious for its acronym soup, and even the best training platforms assume some prior knowledge. But instead of waiting for someone to explain things, he’s using ChatGPT in real-time. Video on one screen, ChatGPT on the other, notebook in hand—every time he hits an unfamiliar concept, he asks AI for a quick explanation, takes notes, and moves on. No waiting for a manager, no endless Googling through ad-stuffed blogs. Just quick, precise answers.

He’s not alone. AI is letting self-directed employees punch above their weight class:

• Interns accelerate training by answering their own questions in real-time.
• Entry-level employees automate repetitive tasks, saving hours.
• Customer service reps use AI to draft clear, composed emails in tough situations.

The lesson here? Businesses that empower employees with AI—and encourage them to use it—will see massive productivity gains. Provide the tools, set expectations for responsible use, and watch your team level up faster than ever while keeping a practiced eye on things because sometimes the AI and the intern both aren’t sure how many r’s are in the word strawberry.

How is your business leveraging AI to help employees work smarter? Let’s discuss in the comments.

Will MacFee is the president of Systems Support Corporation in Marshfield where he provides expert IT solutions for small-to-mid-sized businesses.