Introducing (and Defining) The AI Balanced-User

Welcome to Leading by the Minute, a newsletter about HR and Emotional & Career Intelligence, equipping managers with practical tips for leading themselves and their team.

First time here? Please subscribe.

AI will not be taking over your job. At least not anytime soon.

(If AI has in fact taken over your job, I'm sorry to hear that. I have a general target audience in mind and your field of work may not be in that category. Even so, the ideas that follow still apply.)

Let's be realistic, for decades, people have been talking and dreaming about traveling and living on Mars (here's a listing of concept studies during the 20th and 21st centuries). Sure, lofty plans may still be in the works but...we're not their yet. Even in technological years, advancement takes time.

In the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence, the integration of AI tools like ChatGPT into various professional fields has become increasingly prevalent. However, the effectiveness of these tools heavily relies on the proficiency of the user. The term I created, "AI Balanced-User", encapsulates this concept: an individual who combines a foundational understanding of their subject matter with the ability to craft effective AI prompts, thereby maximizing the utility of AI.

What is an AI Balanced-User?

An AI Balanced-User is a professional who:

1. Possesses a solid knowledge base in their specific field.
2. Understands the strengths and limitations of AI tools.
3. Crafts precise and effective prompts to guide AI outputs.
4. Integrates AI-generated content with their expertise to produce accurate and useful results.

The Importance of AI Balanced-Users

AI tools, while powerful, are not infallible. They depend on the quality of the prompts they receive and the existing knowledge of the user to contextualize and verify their outputs. Have you ever been frustrated with some of the results of your prompts? They were not relevant or just plain useless. It could be an issue with the particular platform (Jasper, Writesonic, OpenAI Playground, Perplexity, the list goes on). Or it could be a user error.

Consider the case of an HR Director using ChatGPT to create or modify company policies (yes, I'm using an example close to home, professionally speaking). If the company operates in multiple states, the director needs to ensure the policies comply with varied state laws. AI can provide a general framework, but the director must validate and adapt this information based on their knowledge, additional research, and verification of current laws. ChatGPT won't know the specific laws and some kind of error/disclaimer message will be returned; I know because I've tried it on several occasions.

Research and Statistics

Recent studies have highlighted the importance of human-AI collaboration. According to a 2023 report by Gartner...

Businesses that leverage AI alongside human expertise see a 25% increase in productivity compared to those relying solely on AI or human input.

Additionally, a survey by McKinsey in 2022 found that 70% of companies using AI reported improved decision-making when AI outputs were supervised and adjusted by knowledgeable employees.

Case Study: The HR Director

Let’s revisit the HR Director example. When tasked with updating company policies to ensure compliance across multiple states, the director uses ChatGPT to draft the initial policy. However, they must:

• Verify the AI-generated content against current state laws.
• Adjust the policy based on specific regional requirements.
• Use their HR expertise to ensure the policy is practical and enforceable.

This process exemplifies the role of an AI Balanced-User, who uses AI as a tool to augment their capabilities rather than replace them.

Another Example: AI Balanced-User in Retail Marketing

1. Knowledge Foundation: Understand marketing principles, consumer behavior, and current trends.
2. AI Understanding: Use AI tools like ChatGPT for content creation, ad copy, and market analysis.
3. Effective Prompts: Ask the AI for ad copy targeting a specific demographic, providing details like age, interests, and buying behavior.
4. Validate and Integrate: Review the AI-generated ad copy, ensuring it aligns with brand voice and complies with advertising standards.
5. Continuous Improvement: Track the performance of AI-generated content and refine your prompts based on what resonates most with your audience.

The Future of AI Balanced-Users

As AI technology continues to advance, the role of the AI Balanced-User will become increasingly critical.

Professionals who can effectively blend their expertise with AI tools will be in high demand, driving innovation and efficiency across industries.

Guide: Becoming an AI Balanced-User

STEP 1: Build a Strong Knowledge Foundation

• Stay Updated: Regularly read industry-specific literature, attend seminars, watch videos, and engage with professional communities.
• Continuous Learning: Invest in courses and certifications relevant to your field to keep your knowledge current.

STEP 2: Understand AI Capabilities and Limitations

• Learn AI Basics: Understand how AI tools work, their strengths, and their weaknesses.
• Experiment: Use AI tools in various scenarios to learn how they respond to different prompts.

STEP 3: Craft Effective Prompts

• Be Specific: The more precise your prompts, the better the AI’s response. Include relevant details and context.
• Iterate: Refine your prompts based on the AI’s outputs. If the result is not satisfactory, adjust your prompt and try again.

STEP 4: Validate and Integrate AI Outputs

• Cross-Check: Always verify AI-generated information against trusted sources.
• Customize: Tailor AI outputs to fit the specific requirements of your task or industry.
• Apply Expertise: Use your knowledge to interpret and enhance the AI’s suggestions.

STEP 5: Continuous Improvement

• Feedback Loop: Learn from each interaction with AI. Note what works and what doesn’t, and apply these lessons to future tasks.
• Stay Curious: Keep exploring new AI tools and features. As AI evolves, so should your skills.

At this point, you most likely have caught on to the concept of an AI Balanced-User. You probably are one yourself! My takeaway is simple: Don't rely on AI to do your job. And in no way should it replace your knowledge based on tried and true experience in your field of work. Know how to use it to give you an edge. For me, that 'edge' is often TIME. It's a tool I use to quickly kickoff a project so I can create a template/guide/policy/form etc. that I can then customize based on the specific need/use-case.

By following the guide above, professionals across various fields can become AI Balanced-Users, effectively leveraging AI to enhance their work while ensuring accuracy and relevance through their expertise.

Success!

Join me next time as we look at ways to improve your Career Intelligence.

The views reflected in this article are the views of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the authors employer, customers, partners, etc.