Ep 108 – A simple message to those who feel stuck in first gear with AI

Episode Summary

In this episode, Cary talks about a common pattern he is seeing in workshops and keynotes: people are using AI tools like ChatGPT or Claude, but they are only using them in small ways, like rewriting emails or checking spelling. He describes this as being “stuck in first gear.” The bigger opportunity, Cary says, is to treat AI like a capable intern that can help shrink the “busy middle” of work — the part where most of the time and mental energy gets spent. The key is to have real back-and-forth conversations with the tool, give it context, ask questions, and stay curious.

3 Key Takeaways

• Using AI is not the same as benefiting from AI. Cary shares that many organizations have people using AI, but only a small number feel they are getting meaningful results from it.
• AI can help with more than quick fixes. Instead of only using it to polish emails or spell-check documents, Cary encourages listeners to use it as a problem-solving partner.
• The best results come from conversation. Give the tool context, ask how it can help, follow up with “tell me more,” and keep exploring. That is where the real value starts to show up.