Published on
Updated on
AI…the second coming of the worldwide web. Akin to the iPhone or Instagram. It’s worked its way into every corner of life; you can’t even Google something without an AI generated answer interrupting your search. Though it’s flawed, it’s here to stay. Whether you’re looking to go into business, marketing, engineering or whatever it is you’re studying, you’ve probably had to take a stance on AI.
Some of us are naturally more skeptical (rightfully so) and some of us are avid users of artificial intelligence. For many of us, we tend to fall somewhere in the middle, using AI sparingly while maintaining a healthy level of skepticism. Wherever you land on AI, that’s okay. This is a learning curve for everyone.
Your personal stance on AI is no longer just a preference. It’s become a professional point of discussion. Questions and conversations about AI come up in interviews, socially and amongst colleagues. So, it’s important that you take inventory of your personal philosophy on AI and how you’ve integrated it into your workflow.
How do you feel about AI?
The Near-Luddite
- The student or employee that loathes big tech and romanticizes the analog way of life. They tend to avoid AI out of personal principle. These students or early career professionals value the craft, the journey and the personal satisfaction gained from end-to-end project completion. To them, AI doesn’t feel like a necessary shortcut; they get a rush from all the details that make up the final product.
The Lukewarm User
- These students or employees may use AI but aren’t attached to it in any meaningful way. They still value the user-first approach, only allowing AI to review and critique their work rather than asking it to ideate first drafts. They feel a certain tension when using AI because they value the process. They are somewhere between believing that AI is a tool and thinking AI is ruining the creative process. They don’t necessarily view AI as a partner or a collaborator but as a second set of eyes when they need it.
The Full Integrationist
- This group champions AI at work or in class every chance they get. AI has become part of their workflow, and they use it as they would any other search engine. They value the speed, efficiency and perceived accuracy AI can offer them. They’re typically more open-minded and use AI for a range of tasks and see AI as the ultimate collaborator.
Talking about AI in the workplace
Do some self-reflection and figure out where you stand in relation to AI. The next step is learning to articulate your views and speaking about AI in a professional setting. There is no “right” or sought after answer. The idea is to remain open-minded and self-aware. Self-awareness equates to professional assets, no matter your personal stance.
Use your disposition to your advantage
No matter your position, it can be a strength if you’re able to frame it correctly. Skeptics often have a better eye for catching errors and a knack for offering useful revisions. Integrationists, on the other hand, might be better equipped to train others on the team and streamline an otherwise inefficient workflow. Being aware of your strengths is a major differentiator for employers.
Remain open-minded
A healthy level of distance and skepticism doesn’t have to mean writing it off. Give different AI software a try before deciding it’s not your thing. Even if you decide it’s not for you, you can speak about it from a place of weathered experience instead of pre-conceived assumption. And if you don’t feel equipped to use certain AI tools, don’t be afraid to ask for help.
Be direct about your stance
Express to your employer where you stand and how your personal approach aligns with that of the organizations. Be clear about how you integrate AI into your workflow and articulate where you don’t. Early transparency is the best practice here.