Your Role Has Changed
There’s lots of talk about AI risks right now. Finally. But the reality in your own businesses won’t change. I recommend you embrace the opportunity, with some simple advice.
Speeches about slowing down. Speeches about risks. Speeches about regulation. Lots of speeches. Development of more capable models is not going to slow down or stop; the financial and political incentives just won’t allow it IMO. And let’s also admit we saw this situation coming from quite a distance and still did nothing.
Being anti-AI is about as effective as being anti-Winter. Don’t stop using ChatGPT (or whatever language model). Learn what it takes to responsibly and safely manage AI agents. Learn how to manage the risks of using AI on key processes. Knowledge and experience are a better defence against the risks than hiding.
Your role in your business now is about building good habits:
- Know what you’re using. Know which AI tools you use and where your data goes. Check sources before you act on an output.
- Learn in the open. Try things and expect mistakes. Share what went wrong, invite challenge, and bring the less confident users along with you.
- Own what you sign off. AI can help with the work, but the work is still yours.
- Keep it simple and organised. Agree who decides, which tools are approved, how to raise a concern. One named owner and a short list is a great place to start.
Universal good advice in any business, whatever the weather.