Tackling Digital Debt: Using Gen AI to empower more meaningful, creative and innovative work.

In 2020, as Covid accelerated, I was sharing with a close friend and colleague about the rise and frenetic pace of engagement, messages and emails as everyone was in a panic about the workplace. She made a striking observation as we stopped traveling and had to engage and compete online: "Pre-Covid, our interactions with clients were much less frequent, and travel was part of our rhythm. We had moments of calm – time to think, create, and strategize for our customers and with our peers." Fast forward to today, and it's a relentless whirlwind of back-to-back engagement on every application and device. The question that emerges is: when do we get to do the "real" work?

As Microsoft has been doing research on productivity and launching new products, I read Microsoft's Work Index, where I encountered the concept of "Digital Debt" – a term that resonated deeply. It's the overwhelming volume of data, emails, and messages we grapple with daily, overshadowing our creative and innovative capacities. Microsoft's research reveals a stark reality: 64% of employees feel they lack time for meaningful work, impacting their ability to innovate. (see article link below)

Since 2020, our workloads have only escalated, and we are burning out. There’s an irony in efficiency – the better we perform, the more we're burdened with more work, but not the creative and innovative kind. How can we work differently and enjoy work again?

Yet, there's a silver lining. As an early adopter and now an avid user of tools like ChatGPT, Bing, and Image Creator, I've experienced a transformative impact on both my personal and professional life. These AI-driven tools have been instrumental in organizing my thoughts, enhancing productivity, and fostering creativity. They've enabled real-time collaboration, bringing efficiency and enjoyment to my work.

At Microsoft, where I now serve as an AI Speaker Champ at our Silicon Valley campus, we're on an exhilarating journey of learning and transformation with our clients. The rapid advancement in AI tools like CoPilot exemplifies this era of innovation. But the pressing question remains: Can these advancements alleviate our digital debt, making our lives easier and more creative?

I've committed to a mindful approach in leveraging these tools. The aim is not just to enhance efficiency but to foster creativity, thoughtful leadership, and meaningful mentorships. It's about changing the way we work and encouraging others to do the same. I don't want to add to the Digital Debt of others, I want us to learn to work together differently using all of the new Gen AI capabilities available. We have not even scratched the surface!

So, I pose these questions to you: What does your Digital Debt look like? Are your work habits contributing to others' digital overload? Can you leverage AI to reshape your work environment and reduce this burden? It's an opportune moment to delve into these resources, starting with that first prompt and FREE resources. If your company offers training, take it!

I'm enjoying a new way of working and know you will too!

Start here:

• BING is now called CoPilot and it's free (you do need an account): Bing Chat with GPT-4 (microsoft.com)
• ChatGPT (I use CoPilot but still love GPTPlus, GPT 3 is free): ChatGPT (openai.com)
• Image Creator is available in Bing but you can also try it here: Image Creator from Microsoft Designer (bing.com)
• CoPilot Capabilties: Microsoft Copilot | Microsoft A

Follow Microsoft's WorkTrends Blog. Check out the referenced article and see more:

• Work Trend Index Article: Microsoft’s 2023 Work Trend Index Report reveals impact of digital debt on innovation, emphasizes need for AI proficiency for every employee – Middle East & Africa News Center

Article written by Carol S. Scott, Senior Director, Software & Digital Platforms & AI Speaker Champ, Microsoft