Terrified of AI? Practical ways to use it at work

Just about anyone can use artificial intelligence to stand out in an interview, go after that promotion or simply become more effective at work. The trick is finding out the right ways to apply it.

A new survey from YouGov found that people are still hesitant when it comes to the use of AI, with 54% saying they were "cautious," and 22% saying they were downright "scared" of the technology's capabilities and what it means for the future. But employees don't need to have a tech background to utilize these tools; rather basic education and awareness can make AI an ally, says Adam Jackson, the CEO of tech talent platform Braintrust. 

"Building AI skills doesn't need to be complicated," says Jackson. "Watch some YouTube videos, and more importantly, experiment with the technology yourself. With some time, curiosity and determination, you can become an expert in these skills for free."

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Whether arming themselves with company information before an interview, analyzing data, or suggesting ways to streamline workflow, people can leverage AI to help them achieve their goals, and they can do it by themselves, at their own pace. AI chatbot software such as Google Gemini and ChatGPT are especially useful in allowing people to work smarter. 

As a starting point, Jackson advises employees to think about the parts of their jobs they don't enjoy, such as data entry, and figure out where AI software can cut down on the use of more time-consuming sources, such as Excel spreadsheets for entering information. Jackson has used AI to help advance his company's marketing strategies, freeing up time for more creative pursuits. 

"We have custom ChatGPT agents building SEO pages for us, writing content, summarizing interviews and webinars and editing them," he says. "Go figure out how to be the best creator and customizer of these [ChatGPT] agents. Anyone, whether you're an accountant or a lawyer or compliance professional or a marketer,  should have expert command of  AI."

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For employees looking to use AI as an advancement tool, Jackson suggests using ChatGPT to find company and product knowledge, like company background, history, key products, or accomplishments. If looking to move internally within a company, spend time researching ways to maximize workflow or eliminate administrative tasks for a team.  

"Come into an interview with 10 ideas on how you can use AI to streamline operations," he says. "And if you're starting a new position, you're already a brand expert."

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By sampling ways AI can make a positive impact on a work experience, people can build confidence in using the technology, cut down on busy work, and advance their career, Jackson says. 

"Don't [be] intimidated by this," Jackson says. "AI tools today exist to make humans smarter, not to replace us."