Unleashing Creativity and Action with ChatGPT: The Surprising Benefits of AI

Ah, the good old days. I can recall early in my career, being in a room filled with Accenture partners. They were all buzzing with excitement, as they had all agreed to do something shocking and radical over the winter holiday: purchase something online. It may seem trivial now, but at the time, they spoke of the fear of entering their credit card information online - and their amazement when their purchases arrived. I can't help but smile, thinking back to that moment. Little did I know, I was witnessing the beginning of the information age being monetized. And here we are today, experiencing a similar moment with artificial intelligence.

The definition of intelligence (not "Artificial Intelligence") has undergone a significant transformation over the years.

• In the pre-Information Age, intelligence was mostly about memorizing and recalling information. Students were evaluated on their ability to remember dates, facts, and formulas, and exams were usually multiple choice or standardized tests that focused on recall. This type of intelligence was often measured by one's ability to recite information, rather than their ability to apply it. My mother and grandmother (both English teachers) often lamented the fact that I wasn't made to memorize and I can still remember several poems that were required to memorize in my home. A favorite: "who gives of himself of his alms feed three: himself, his hungry neighbor, and Me."
• With the advent of the Information Age, the definition of intelligence shifted dramatically. With the explosion of information and technology, intelligence was defined by one's ability to find, analyze, and synthesize information from a variety of sources. It required critical thinking skills, and the ability to make connections between seemingly disparate pieces of information.

I think we have reached a dramatic shift recently - ending the Information Age - and starting the AI Age. Here's why creative types and doers should celebrate.

As a language models begin the next technology race, we have all started to discover that these tools are incredibly valuable for synthesizing information from a variety of sources and generating new insights. AI tools drive higher value on creativity and synthesis. Unlike traditional AI systems that rely on pre-programmed rules and algorithms, ChatGPT (and others like it to come) can analyze and connect different pieces of information in new and innovative ways. This leads to fresh solutions to problems that wouldn't have been possible before. By empowering users to connect information in new ways, these tool will revolutionize the way we approach problem-solving.

In this new age of intelligence, it's not just about what you know, but also about how you use that knowledge to generate new insights and solve problems.

In the AI Age, the friction between pen and thought are removed. Quality writing is easy - interesting writing will be much more valued. Those who can take those new insights and drive them in valuable ways are the new premium - with a special bonus given to those who take those thoughts and put them into action.

The new wave of AI enabled tools represents a new frontier in the evolution of intelligence, and it will put a value on creativity and those who can affect change. By enabling us to connect different pieces of information in new and innovative ways, these tools will change the way we think and solve problems.