Final Thoughts on Automation: Simplifying AI with ChatGPT

For the final chapter of our automation series, I initially drafted a long, technical post detailing various automation options. However, even I found it boring during editing!

Given the vastness of the subject, which spans from creating simple Excel formulas to developing custom applications, I decided to spare you a dreary list of options. Instead, I want to share a more dynamic approach—using ChatGPT to devise automated solutions tailored to your business.

I've been using ChatGPT for almost a year, and until two weeks ago, it felt a bit hit-or-miss. It seemed to provide random answers, not the precise solutions I needed. Then, I discovered a small trick that revolutionized how I use it.

A word of caution: this method might take a little longer, but the results are well worth the wait.

Try framing your query like this:

"You are an experienced automation and innovation consultant with a keen understanding of diverse business needs at various stages. Your task is to develop an automation blueprint/plan to enhance our processes for a [insert your industry here] company. Please feel free to ask any clarifying questions. We don't need to tackle the entire project in one go; we can proceed step by step."

Initially, that's all you need to input. ChatGPT will return with a set of questions for you to answer, just like interacting with a human consultant. These questions often cover aspects you might not have considered previously.

I've tested this method with both ChatGPT 3.5 (the free version) and ChatGPT-4. While both versions returned insightful questions, ChatGPT-4 delved deeper, covering a broader range of queries to paint a more comprehensive picture.

I wish you all the best on your automation journey and would love to hear how this approach works for you—not only in automation but in other areas of your life as well.