This is one of the most difficult TRIPLE III TIME messages I feel a unique nervousness in writing about.  Maybe it is because I daily try to avoid using technology in delivering my professional services.  Or maybe I have not been a “student” of this area of new age professional development and therefore I feel totally inadequate when progressively discussing it.  So am I guilty of utilizing a “hiding-spot” to avoid discussing AI and thereby going against one of my own leadership principles… maybe? 

Well this week as I have been participating in preparation for start-up of the fall semester at the community college… Artificial Intelligence (AI) – Purpose & Use was a high impact discussion topic.  So continued avoidance no longer is an acceptable professional leadership option… and taking a position on its workplace contribution needs prompt attention. 

First the most important point I want to make is that I know AI WILL be part of everyone’s job/career going forward.  Therefore, does every worker/workplace need to have quality discussions regarding its purpose and use…ABSOLUTELY!  To me this means that everyone must acknowledge it as a solid tool for improving products and services… but that overuse can harm professionalism. 

Second, I believe to appropriately make use of AI… establishing understandable boundaries and expectations will be difficult but necessary.  What do I mean?  For example, will it be a good situation to have an AI generated staff memorandum distributed when it in no way sounds authentically like YOU?  Or would it be progressive to have your bosses start asking AI “what IT thinks about an issue”… rather than asking YOU?  Would these actions delete the customer-valued “personality” your company/organization has tried to build? 

Bottomline:  Next week when classes start…I will strongly remind students that THEY are in my class… not computers.  But I will also indicate that AI in an evolving professional career-building tool and that THEY still hold the keys as to when/where/and how much AI can positively contribute to their work.