Exploring AI with Carla: Democratization of Skills is Not Cheating

Welcome back to my series where we explore the transformative world of Artificial Intelligence together.

As you know, I’m fascinated by AI and its breadth of applications so for the past little while, I’ve been reading, experimenting, and having many discussions with other people who are using AI in many different ways.?

Common themes keep coming up.?

• Overwhelming: Because it is technology and many of us don’t consider ourselves technical people, it can seem very overwhelming and many are choosing to steer clear from it.?
• Skepticism: Those who only dabbled in it, using AI for basic tasks like reviewing texts or emails, feel this is the limit of its utility, advising against over-reliance for critical job functions.
• Concerns: Many who see its capabilities share a similar uncomfortableness that it's going to make a lot of the work we do today obsolete in a not-so-distant future.?
• Advocacy for Regulation: Everyone agrees that guardrails need to be put in place to ensure it is ethically and safely used.?
• Early Practical Adoption: Those who feel like they have just been given super powers, and that the game is about to change.

I consider myself an early practical adopter. I feel like I was given super powers. And the purpose of this post is to get those of us who don’t consider ourselves technical people or who are skeptical of AI’s potential applications to realize just how much of a game changer this democratization of skills can be.?

(***Still plenty of reasons to be concerned and to continue advocating for ethical AI, but we’ll address those topics in future posts.)

So What Do I Mean by "Democratization of Skills"?

Let me be clear: I am not an AI expert, nor am I an expert in any technical field. However, the productivity gains I've achieved through AI are so significant that they sometimes feel like cheating. But what am I actually cheating on? And who am I cheating?

By using AI, I've managed to:

• Streamline complex presentations and tailor them to a specific array of stakeholders.
• Generate sophisticated Excel documents with advanced conditional formatting that would make any data analyst nod appreciatively.
• Quickly assimilate, categorize and leverage vast amounts of industry knowledge, previously unfamiliar to me.
• Politely decline requests with a professional touch—opting for "I appreciate you reaching out, but let's find another solution or someone to assist you," over the more direct, "Sounds like a you problem, and no, I can't help with that."
• Develop Bertrand, my bilingual GPT assistant, designed to craft, edit, and translate content with a focus on inclusivity, accessibility, and style.

Imagine needing to get somewhere fast, but the direct path is blocked by a huge mountain. Traditionally, only those with the resources to climb this mountain—those with special gear, skills or prior knowledge of the terrain—could take this shortcut. Now, think of AI as a newly paved pathway through this mountain. It's not cheating to take this path; it's simply using the tools available to reach your destination more efficiently.

This is what I mean by the democratization of skills. AI levels the playing field, providing a clear, accessible path through previously daunting technological landscapes. For those who previously couldn’t even access the mountain, AI opens up a straightforward route that’s accessible to everyone. This shift is profound because:

• Accessibility: Just as the mountain path is open to all, AI tools are available to anyone with basic internet access.
• Inclusivity and Empowerment: People who never thought they could build an app, communicate in a different language, or analyze data can now do so with ease.
• Innovation: This new accessibility means more people can bring their unique perspectives and ideas to life, enriching our collective creativity and problem-solving capabilities.

The New Reality of Skill Access

This newfound accessibility is not just about simplifying tasks, it's about opening up whole new realms of possibility. Those who felt barred from the digital revolution due to a lack of coding skills or technological savvy now find the gates wide open. AI doesn't just make tasks easier; it makes them possible.

In my own journey, tools like gen AI have transformed how I approach my work, turning time-consuming or insurmountable challenges into manageable tasks. This has not only enhanced my efficiency but also expanded my ability to innovate within my field.

We will discuss more on Accessibility, Inclusivity and Empowerment in a future post as there’s so much more I’d like to say on the topic, but for the time being, I wanted to share how I, a non-technical person who knows no coding languages, managed to build my own AI assistant.?

Building Bertrand: My Bilingual AI Assistant.?

Here’s a step-by-step look at how I created Bertrand, so that you too can imagine ways AI could help you climb some mountains, and then build them, because you can—with a pro account.

• 1. Explore GPTs: I began by understanding the capabilities of Generative Pre-trained Transformers. There are already so many GPTs that have been trained by companies and individuals to better accomplish specific tasks, so just dive in and experiment. When you're ready to build your own, select the +Create button.

• 2. Custom Setup: Through a chat conversation with the AI interface on the left-hand window, you’ll be able to outline the specific tasks you want your AI to handle. In my case, for Bertrand, I asked for him to be able to help with my content—reviewing, editing, and translating in a bilingual and inclusive manner.

• 3. Resource Integration: I uploaded key resources like the uOttawa writing guides and the web pages I had downloaded from the “Office Québécois de la langue fran?aise". (Note here, it is crucial you do not upload anything that is sensitive, private, or that you do not have public access rights to in order to prevent privacy and data violation breaches).

• 4. Training and Examples: I provided examples of content I had developed and others from public domains to train Bertrand on the desired voice and style.
• 5. Testing and Refinement: I continuously refined Bertrand's responses, focusing on eliminating recurring errors like misplaced punctuation. Now, I still need to review all the content and Bertrand still makes errors, so I cannot over-rely on him, but having him has made it much easier to create, translate, and edit content for work purposes right from the gate.

And that’s really all there is to it. I still find it mind-boggling that without any existing computer language skills, I can so easily build something useful. I feel like Spiderman when he just realized he can shoot webs and do all sorts of cool things with his new powers. Hopefully this post makes you feel the same.

Engage and Share

Have you developed any AI tools, or found creative uses for existing ones? What hurdles have you encountered, and how have you navigated them? Please share your experiences and insights below—let’s inspire and learn from each other’s journeys. Also feel free to use Bertrand as your own bilingual assistant and provide me with all the feedback you have so I can keep refining his skills and add to his capabilities.

Cheers, and Until next time,?

Carla