AI proves to be versatile, with people using it for ideation, creation, editing, and even navigating workplace politics.
As the capabilities of various AI platforms continue to advance, employees increasingly turn to them to streamline various tasks throughout their workday. Workplace use of AI extends beyond merely saving time and effort; it also enhances users' capacity to navigate complex workplace situations and dynamics. Generative AI platforms like Bard, ChatGPT, Bing, and Claude assist workers not only by automating routine tasks but also by helping them make more informed decisions, optimize productivity, and even navigate the intricacies of workplace politics.
In our latest Pulse IQ study, we asked users, "What are some of the most common things you use AI for at work?" Creative Ideas (18%), Writing (17%), Advice on how to approach a new task or project (13%), Technical troubleshooting (11%), and Advice on how to interact with co-workers (9%) emerged as the most prominent reasons people turn to AI.
See users in action below as they ask AI for help with work tasks, and keep scrolling to see users describe how they use AI at work in their own words.
"What is the best way to promote your business to older people?"
Watch a community event coordinator use AI for assistance with marketing to senior citizens.
—Larry, 39, GPT-3.5
"Compare Florida and Texas timeshare statutes"
See a legal specialist for a media publication ask about timeshare statutes.
—William, 50, Bard
AI in their own words:
We asked users to share what they ask AI platforms to help with.
Writing & creative ideas – especially getting past writer’s block:
“When I want to write, and I lack motivation, I seek the help of AI. AI gives me creative ideas when I find it hard to get a job done.”
—Joan, 40, GPT-4
“It helps me a lot especially when writing. I use it specifically for writing and it gives me ideas when I forget or I lack ideas. I don’t depend solely on it, sometimes I only build on the idea it gives to build or develop the writing however I want it to be.”
—Stephen, 25, Bard
“When I'm stumped with writer's block, I shoot ChatGPT a message and explain what I need to do and ask for some ideas/feedback. It helps a lot and gets me out of my own head and helps with a fresh perspective.”
—Amber, 34, GPT-3.5
Troubleshooting - fix issues and stay on top of updates:
“I use a lot of instruments, equipment and various softwares and those softwares are constantly updating and I need to be on top of it. Sometimes, I need to do the reconfiguration of the softwares to make the equipment run smoothly. That is when I use AI to help update the software and troubleshoot any connection problems.”
—Sara, Millennial, Claude
“AI-powered code review tools can identify issues, bugs, and potential vulnerabilities in code, leading to improved code quality.”
—Abella, 35, GPT-3.5
Workplace advice - foster collaboration and connections:
“Whenever I'm having a bad time with my colleagues, I ask for advice from the AI so we can collaborate better.”
—Paul, 29, Bard
“I deal with mostly older 65+ customers and they are different then other customers as they demand more from you I feel like. I like asking ChatGPT about creative ways of making a senior citizen customer happy and ways to get them to be more than satisfied and tell their friends.”
—Larry, 39, GPT-3.5
Write Code - debug and write code faster:
“As a software developer, coding is an essential part of my work and whenever I have a problem, the first thing I do is to ask for help from AI tools. If I am simply having a hard time understanding a code or something I ask GPT.”
—Atakan, 38, GPT-3.5
Learning - research and upskilling
“I use Google Bard to research things I would otherwise use Google Chrome for. I am able to then ask Bard follow-up questions based on the results, something I can't do with Chrome or digital assistants.”
—Nicholas, 42, Bard.
Implications
- Generative AI isn't just for the high tech workplace. People across a variety of industries and roles are embracing this technology to help them work faster, solve problems, and get inspiration.
- AI is "human enough" to help users navigate interpersonal relationships and workplace politics. When a friend or mentor isn't around, people are turning to AI for help dealing with difficult co-workers, asking for promotions, and supporting picky customers. Managers and HR professionals can look at AI as a tool to help their teams and colleagues foster and navigate workplace relationships.
- Employees suffering from writer's block – whether while writing content or code – turn to AI to get them unstuck. Although many feel that content written by AI needs a human touch to finalize the work, these tools provide a jumping-off point that allows people to make progress faster and spend more time on nuanced details. Engineering and content creation teams can leverage AI to move faster and focus their members' expertise on aspects that require human creativity and nuance.
As AI continues to evolve and adapt, its role in enhancing employee effectiveness is likely to become even more pronounced and spread across more industries and job functions.
Pulse Labs is a product feedback and analytics company that helps drive business success with fast, actionable, in-situation user insights across the product lifecycle. If you'd like to learn how to get rich video and data insights from users of your product, contact us.
