Show notes
Hello! If you’ve been following along with my Confessions of a Facilitation Artist series, you know we’ve been diving deep into the world of AI with a little help from Ethan Mollick’s thought-provoking book, Co-Intelligence: Living and Working with AI. Today’s post is a continuation of that journey, zooming in on Chapter 3, where Mollick lays out four essential principles for thriving alongside AI, whether you’re a seasoned facilitator, a product leader, or just AI-curious.So, what’s in store if you read (or listen) to this episode? You’ll pick up practical strategies for weaving AI into your daily life and work, discover real-life stories (including a few of my own “confessions” from the facilitation trenches), and walk away with a mindset that’ll help you not just keep up with AI, but actually get ahead of the curve. Ready to become co-intelligent? Let’s jump in!Principle 1: Always Invite AI to the TableLet’s kick things off with a little confession: I stole this analogy from Greg Eisenberg in the Startup Ideas Podcast (it’s sipping time, baby), but it’s too good not to share. Think of AI as your trusty glass of water at the dinner table, always there, always ready, never judging your choice of entrée (or spreadsheet formula). In the workspace, this means keeping your favorite AI tools like ChatGPT, Perplexity, Claude, Gemini, open and accessible. You never know when inspiration (or a deadline) will strike!This embodies Ethan Mollick’s first principle: Always Invite AI to the Table. In Co-Intelligence, Mollick nails it with this quote: “Workers who figure out how to make AI useful for their jobs will have a large impact.” Translation: if you don’t invite AI to the table, you might be left standing outside the restaurant, peeking through the window at everyone else’s productivity feast.Anecdote Alert: AI Saves the Workshop DayRecently, while facilitating a product team workshop, I faced a mountain of virtual Post-its in Mural. The built-in AI clustering feature was turned off (cue dramatic music), so I copied and pasted all the sticky notes into Perplexity Pro. In seconds, AI did the heavy lifting, clustering, highlighting duplicates, and even helping me create a heat map of ideas. What would have taken me ten minutes (and a lot of coffee) was done in a flash, letting me get back to what I do best: facilitating like a pro.But AI isn’t just for work. When I needed to send a tricky text to another parent about our sons’ playground squabble, Perplexity Pro helped me turn my messy, emotional draft into a concise, empathetic message. And yes, AI even helped me pack for my last business trip with 98% accuracy and zero forgotten socks.Takeaway: Whether you’re clustering ideas, drafting emails, or packing a suitcase, invite AI to the table and watch your productivity (and sanity) soar.Principle 2: Be the Human in the LoopAI might be smart, but it’s not perfect. (If it were, it would have already invented a self-cleaning coffee mug.) Large language models want to please, sometimes at the expense of accuracy. That’s why you, yes, you!, need to stay in the loop. Always review, tweak, and question AI’s output before hitting send or submit.Anecdote: Authenticity with a Side of AII’ve been experimenting with Cleve AI for content creation. I upload a photo, jot down some notes, and voilà!, a narrative that sounds just like me, but written in a fraction of the time. Still, I always give it a human touch, editing for context and authenticity. Sometimes, AI misses the mark, and being in the loop saves the day (and my LinkedIn reputation).Principle 3: Treat AI Like a Person, But Tell It Who to BeHere’s where things get theatrical: when you use AI, assign it a persona. Think of it as casting the lead in your own workplace play. If you’re a product manager, use user stories: “As a user, I want X so I can Y.” Give AI context, goals, and a role. You’ll get better, more relevant results, and maybe even an Oscar-worthy performance.Not sure what persona to use? Ask your AI assistant for suggestions. It loves to please, and with the right direction, it’ll deliver exactly what you need (or at least try its best).This Week’s Experiment: Jobs To Be Done Gem!We recently upgraded to Gemini at work, and I couldn’t resist taking it for a spin during a recent AI Discovery Sprint. Just ten minutes before the workshop kicked off, I decided to try out a Gem, a custom GPT tailored for our needs. I loaded it up with insights about the Jobs To Be Done Framework along with some product-specific details. While the workshop participants brainstormed jobs, pains, needs, and desires the old-fashioned way, I quietly collaborated with my Gem in the background. When I mixed my AI-generated results in with the group’s, one of the social/emotional jobs suggested by the Gem ended up being the top-voted job for the rest of the sprint! Sometimes, the best ideas really do come from your digital co-pilot.This experience was a perfect reminder of how powerful it can be to give your AI a persona and a specific role. By telling your AI exactly who you want it to be—whether it’s a product strategist, a creative collaborator, or even a Jobs To Be Done expert—you can unlock results that are not only relevant but also surprisingly insightful.Principle 4: Assume This Is the Worst AI You’ll Ever UseSounds harsh, but trust me, it’s liberating! AI is evolving faster than you can say “upgrade.” Today’s cutting-edge tool is tomorrow’s vintage gadget. Embrace the mindset that every time you use AI, you’re practicing for a better version that’s just around the corner.Running with AI: A Personal ParallelWhen I first started running, the first minute (and sometimes the first mile) was always the hardest. The same goes for using AI: the beginning can feel awkward, uncertain, and even a little intimidating. But with practice, you get better, and so does the technology. As my friend Jakub says, “No one is coming to teach you AI, so just start.” The worst AI you use today is the baseline for your growth tomorrow.Your AI Action Plan (With a Wink and a Nudge)* Invite AI to the table: Start small. Ask it what to pack for your next trip or how to phrase a tricky email.* Stay in the loop: Review, edit, and own the final output.* Give AI a persona: Be clear about what you need and who you want AI to “be.”* Embrace the upgrade mindset: Every use is practice for a brighter, smarter AI future.Whether you’re a facilitator, product leader, educator, or just AI-curious, these four principles are your roadmap to co-intelligence. Try them out, share your stories, and let’s keep this conversation going, preferably over a (virtual) glass of water at the AI table.I’ll be on vacation when this goes out (AI helped me pack, of course), so if you reach out, I might be slow to respond. But don’t worry, AI and I will be back soon, ready to help you explore what’s next. Until then, keep experimenting, keep learning, and keep inviting AI to your table!Whenever you're ready, I can help you with:* AI Sprints, both Opportunity Mapping as well as for Products & Services Innovation* General workshop design and facilitation* General facilitation and workshop training* Intention setting, planning, and incremental progress for success This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit facilitationartist.substack.com