In the last issue of The AI Optimist, I shared a simple four-step progression to help you get started with AI.
Now, let’s dive deeper into the first step of that process: generative AI.
What Is Generative AI?
Generative AI is software that creates new content (such as text, images, audio, or video) based on plain-language requests.
The three most popular generative AI tools are:
- ChatGPT by OpenAI
- Claude by Anthropic
- Gemini by Google
In this guide, we’ll focus on using generative AI to create text assets.
How To Use Generative AI
Most generative AI tools are set up with a chatbot interface.
You use a chat box to type or speak in natural language and get a response back.
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With this conversational style, you can use generative AI in four helpful ways.
- Have a dialogue. Go back and forth in a conversation.
- Conduct research. Find facts, data, and information.
- Analyze information. Identify patterns in data sets.
- Create a content asset. Create text-based content.
A Note On AI Output: Results Will Vary
It’s important to note that what you get out of AI will depend on multiple factors. Not all AI output is the same. It is influenced by factors that include, but are not limited to:
- AI Model: AI tools have different models trained on unique algorithms and varying levels of power to deliver results. In some tools, you can toggle between different models.
- Prompt Quality: The level of detail and context in your questions and prompts will heavily influence the quality of the responses you get.
- Instructions: AI can be trained on specific skills and knowledge that can improve its ability to provide more useful output.
- Conversational History: AI uses your prior chats to influence results. Your previous conversations will impact output.
- Randomness and Variability: Even when you ask the same question twice, AI may provide different answers. These systems are probabilistic, meaning there is often more than one reasonable response.
The quality of output depends on the capabilities of AI models and the level of information and guidance provided. I’ll share tips for getting the best output each time you use generative AI.
So, let’s get to it. Here are four ways to use generative AI if you don’t know where to start.
1. Use AI To Have a Conversation
Use generative AI to have a conversation about ideas, problems, and topics.
Think of it like having an expert or coach by your side.
You can have a two-way dialogue to work through challenges, brainstorm ideas, or get feedback on a decision you’re considering.
For a small business owner, this could mean asking AI to:
- Help you think through pricing strategies
- Prepare for a difficult client conversation
- Generate ideas for a marketing campaign
- Explain a topic you’re trying to learn
- Give feedback on a project or idea
Get Better Output: Treat AI like a conversation partner, not a search engine. Provide detailed context, tell the AI who it should act like (for example, “act like a business coach” or “you are an expert copywriter”), and ask for follow-up questions and counter-arguments. The more guidance you provide, the more useful and personalized the output will become.
2. Use AI To Conduct Research
Use generative AI to research topics, gather information, and learn about subjects that are new to you.
Think of it like having a research assistant.
You can ask questions, request summaries, compare options, and quickly get up to speed on a topic without spending hours searching through websites and articles.
For a small business owner, this could mean asking AI to:
- Research a new industry trend or technology
- Explain a law, regulation, or business concept
- Compare software platforms or service providers
- Summarize information from articles or reports
- Gather ideas before making an important business decision
Get Better Output: Be specific about what you’re researching and provide context about why you need the information. Ask AI to cite sources or provide links when possible, and always verify important facts with trusted sources before making business decisions. AI is a powerful research assistant, but it shouldn’t be your only source of information.
3. Use AI to Analyze Information
Use generative AI to analyze information, identify patterns, and make sense of large amounts of data.
Think of it like having a data analyst.
You can upload documents, spreadsheets, meeting notes, survey responses, or reports and ask AI to summarize information, identify trends, or highlight key takeaways.
For a small business owner, this could mean asking AI to:
- Identify trends in sales or financial data
- Summarize customer feedback and reviews
- Pull out key points from a long report or contract
- Compare proposals from vendors or service providers
- Analyze survey results or employee feedback
Get Better Output: Give AI as much context as possible about the information you’re sharing and what you’re looking for. Don’t say, “Analyze this data.” Instead, ask specific questions such as, “What patterns do you see?” or “What should I pay attention to?” Remember that AI can help you spot trends and organize information, but you should still apply your own judgment before making important business decisions.
4. Use AI to Create a Content Asset
You can use generative AI to create written content for your business.
Think of it like having a junior copywriter.
You can ask AI to help you create first drafts, organize your thoughts, or turn rough ideas into polished content that you can edit and refine.
For a small business owner, this could mean asking AI to:
- Write a first draft of a blog post or article
- Create social media posts or email newsletters
- Draft proposals, presentations, or reports
- Develop website copy or product descriptions
- Create standard operating procedures or training documents
Get Better Output: Don’t ask AI to create an entire piece of content with a single prompt and expect a perfect result. Provide examples, explain your audience and goals, and give feedback on what you like or don’t like. The best content usually comes from collaborating with AI, not simply copying and pasting its first response.
Put Generative AI to Work For You
Now, you have four ways to put generative AI to use. Start a conversation and see what you can learn, analyze, discover, and produce.
Just remember, not all AI output quality is the same.
Use the output tips in this post to increase the quality and usefulness of your AI results. The better you direct AI, the better your results will be.
If you want to accelerate the quality of your AI output even more, I’ll show you how. See how we can create an AI Marketing Assistant trained on your brand.
Start asking and creating, and send me an email and let me know what you come up with!
