This is a must-listen for anyone who’s even remotely interested in implementing AI in their work and organisation. Ethan Mollick is an Associate Professor at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, where he studies and teaches innovation, entrepreneurship, and AI’s impact on work and education. I think of him as Jacques Cousteau of deep divers into the world of AI chatbots — he has gone deeper in his experiments with tools like ChatGPT than most people.

His upcoming book Co-Intelligence: Living and Working with AI (out on 2 April) is a detailed playbook for using AI in work and everyday life.

Here’s what you’ll learn in the conversation with Azeem Azhar : - Ethan and Azeem Azhar share how they use ChatGPT and other tools in their work — and simple practices to achieve better results in your day-to-day use, - What is the observed impact of AI in work, as studied by Ethan and his colleagues, and published in their 2023 study Navigating the Jagged Technological Frontier (see EV441) - How businesses and individuals can develop strategies for harnessing the power of AI. - How to maintain the balance between exploration and exploitation as you implement AI in your organisation — and how to prepare for the unknown future.

Where to find Ethan: Newsletter: https://www.oneusefulthing.org

How to unleash the power of AI, with Ethan Mollick

Timestamps:

0:00 Introduction

03:01 Centaur vs. Cyborg approaches to AI

04:22 Being polite to AI & setting the context

11:23 Ethan's students create GPTs to automate their jobs

19:05 The jagged frontier of AI

23:59 What should the kids be learning in the age of AI?

28:55 How to set yourself up for success with generative AI

38:49 Anthropomorphising LLMs and their personas

42:33 Factuality and hallucinations

44:36 AI's impact on entrepreneurship

48:39 Emerging characteristics

50:17 What happens if jobs become obsolete?

56:13 How should organisations balance exploitation vs exploration

01:02:24 How to implement AI in your work if you're busy?

01:03:25 What if it works out really well for us?

Published by Azeem Azhar

Azeem Azhar is a global expert on artificial intelligence and exponential technologies. He writes one of the top technology newsletters Exponential View, and hosts the Bloomberg Originals series Exponentially.

Exponentially TV Show youtube.com/watch?v=HzlsKrMO5M4

Summary:

In this insightful discussion, Ethan Mollick, a professor at the Wharton School, explores the vast potential and limitations of AI technologies like ChatGPT. The conversation delves into practical applications, the evolution of AI, and the personal experiences of those who utilize these technologies for various tasks. Here are some key points:

• Usage and Impact: Mollick spends a significant amount of time interacting with AI, particularly ChatGPT, applying it to a variety of tasks. He highlights its role as a "Swiss army knife of the mind," aiding in tasks ranging from writing to data analysis.

• Authorial Process: In writing his book "Co-Intelligence," Mollick extensively used AI, benefiting from its capability to offer diverse sentence structures and analogies, thereby making the writing process smoother and more creative.

• AI as a Tool: The conversation underscores the distinction between two types of AI usage: 'Cyborg' and 'Centaur'. Mollick’s approach to writing the book was a blend of these, integrating AI insights while maintaining a clear division of tasks.

• Interaction Dynamics: Mollick’s interaction with AI is casual, treating it as a collaborator rather than just a tool. This approach, coupled with understanding the AI’s personality, enhances the output quality.

• Effectiveness and Limitations: Despite its utility, AI has its limitations. Mollick discusses instances where AI’s output could be less than ideal, highlighting the importance of understanding and navigating these limitations.

• Insights on Flexibility and Creativity: The discussion also touches on the importance of flexibility and creativity in leveraging AI for tasks such as academic research, showcasing how AI can serve as a collaborative partner in intellectual endeavors.

• Future Perspectives: Mollick expresses optimism about the evolving capabilities of AI, suggesting that future developments could significantly enhance productivity and creativity in various fields.

This conversation sheds light on the nuanced relationship between humans and AI, emphasizing the potential of AI to augment human capabilities when used thoughtfully and creatively.

Insights based on numbers:

• Mollick mentions a ratio of ChatGPT and Perplexity sessions to Google, highlighting a shift in his research and information-gathering habits due to AI's effectiveness.
• The 40% improvement in quality and 26% improvement in speed when consulting professionals incorporate AI into their workflow, showcasing AI's impact on efficiency and output quality.