How Are Office Workers Really Using AI Today?

In this you? In the past year, you've likely heard about AI, signed in, tried it, and then forgot about it, still wondering what the AI hype is all about and how it can really help you. As an AI expert, I spend my days discussing the latest advancements in AI, from LLMs to Agentic systems designed to provide components for AGI, but there's a massive disconnect between these cutting-edge developments and practical applications for everyday business users.

AI chatbots like ChatGPT are fantastic tools for coders, but the overall user experience, interface design (yes, it sucks), and value for most business users fall short of expectations. Steve Jobs famously said that it’s not the user's job to learn how to use your product. I think the chatbot world forgot about this until recently. This brings us to the real state of AI in the workplace.

Most companies should have an AI strategy. If your company doesn’t, it’s understandable, but remember: about 40-60% of all tasks in the workplace can and will be AI-assisted. Millions of companies and developers, including myself, are working on leveraging AI for these tasks and many more that are truly disruptive.

Now that the hype has died down, here are the most common AI use cases for business people:

1. Drafting Emails: By a large margin, the most common use case I hear for AI is drafting emails. You can open ChatGPT and ask it to take your rough ideas and turn them into a draft email. TIP: it’s only a draft. Make sure you rewrite it using your own words. If I see “I hope this email finds you well,” “delve,” or “akin” in any email or article, I delete it immediately.
2. AI Behind the Scenes: The fastest-growing use case is AI embedded in everyday tools. This invisible design helps create presentations, co-pilot coding, and more. These are examples of AI done right, where it supports you in ways you might not see or care about. TIP: Not all AI support helps.
3. Summarizing Documents: AI is now commonly used to summarize emails and documents. People use AI to convert a summary into a long document, and then others use AI to summarize that document back into a shorter version. TIP: make sure to follow workplace privacy policies before you copy/paste everything you see.
4. Job-Specific Tools: These tools are tailored to specific job functions. From creative writing and image creation to enabling beginners to produce expert-level outputs, these AI tools make headlines regularly. They range from coding assistants to AI-first disruptive technologies in legal, financial, and healthcare fields. TIP: Before you spend money on these tools, have someone who understands AI review it for you – many tools seem interesting but have no unique features and may be replaced with the next launch of ChatGPT or other tools.
5. Ideas and Brainstorming: Chatbots excel at generating lists of ideas and helping you organize your thoughts. For instance, I asked a chatbot for potential hooks for this article and then modified the one I liked best. TIP: You may need to restart this process several times and ask the same question multiple times.
6. Recruitment and Resumes: AI assists in numerous areas related to recruitment. It helps summarize job requirements, update LinkedIn profiles, tailor resumes for specific jobs, create cover letters, and even assist hiring agents in reviewing applications and conducting interviews. TIP: It’s a tough balancing act here - most recruiters can spot an AI-created resume that includes all the right jargon, but you need to pass through the automated systems that scan for the jargon before a recruiter can see your resume.

Yes, this article is based on my opinion. I find significant regional and company size differences in opinions and adoption of AI solutions. The USA West Coast and major cities, along with enterprise and large businesses, are generally much further ahead. SME businesses and companies of all sizes in Canada and Europe have some catching up to do.

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About Me: With over 20 years in software development and predictive analytics, I lead the creation of innovative AI products that deliver exceptional user experiences. As a Harvard-educated AI strategist and Teaching Fellow, I focus on leveraging data to provide distinct competitive advantages through expert AI solutions. DM for any AI questions.