AI as a sparring partner for writing

An example interaction that shows how to collaborate with ChatGPT to create better content.

I’m writing an article for We Eat Robots on AI transformation. The piece outlines a framework people and organizations can follow to adapt to and use AI.

When discussing broad or abstract ideas, such as "AI transformation,” it’s easy to settle for a lazy definition of such a topic, like:

"AI transformation is the process of adapting an organization's operations, strategies, and culture to harness the potential of AI, ultimately enhancing overall performance and efficiency."

While not incorrect, this description is hard to understand due to unnecessary and ambiguous words.

To create a clear and concise definition, I replace parts like "…is the process of…" with action-oriented words, and vague statements ("harness the potential of AI") with simple language.

Using AI as a collaborative writing partner

I've found AI—especially GPT-4—invaluable as a sparring partner during the writing process. I will walk you through my entire interaction with ChatGPT to arrive at a definition of AI transformation.

I’m sharing this conversation for three reasons:

1. It's hard to shape this back and forth into a specific prompt template. Witnessing ChatGPT in action as a sparring partner offers a clearer understanding of its capabilities and how to unlock them.

2. The example might inspire you to work harder on crafting definitions when writing articles. 😊

3. To show how human-like these conversations with GPT-4 can be. If someone sent me this transcript and said it was a conversation with their human—though somewhat formal—editor, I would probably believe them.

My interaction with ChatGPT to define "AI transformation"

Initially, I drafted my own definition and asked GPT-4 to rate it.

Tim: On a scale from 1-10, how would you rate this definition of AI transformation?

AI transformation is adapting the way you or your company works in a way that you make the best use of the new possibilities AI offers.

ChatGPT: I would rate this definition a 7.5 out of 10. It is concise and captures the essence of AI transformation, which is leveraging AI capabilities to enhance an organization's performance. However, it could be improved by including elements such as the integration of AI systems, the development of AI strategies, and the impact on organizational culture, structure, and processes.

Tim: We can expand on those things in later sentences and paragraphs. I'm looking for a one sentence definition that is easy to understand for almost anyone.

ChatGPT: In that case, I would rate the given definition an 8.5 out of 10. It provides a clear and concise explanation of AI transformation that is accessible to a wide audience, emphasizing the importance of adapting to and making the most of AI's capabilities.

Tim: What would you change so you'd rate it a 10?

ChatGPT: To achieve a 10, I would make a slight modification to emphasize the goal of the transformation and clarify that it applies to various aspects of an organization. Here's the revised definition:

“AI transformation is the process of adapting an organization's operations, strategies, and culture to harness the potential of AI, ultimately enhancing overall performance and efficiency.”

This version maintains simplicity and clarity while conveying a more comprehensive understanding of AI transformation.

Tim: I would argue though that individuals also need to undergo AI transformation in the way they work, and would like to include that aspect in the definition. I.e., AI transformation doesn't have to be limited to organizations only (in my humble opinion).

ChatGPT: You make a valid point, and I appreciate your perspective. Here's a revised definition that includes both individuals and organizations:

“AI transformation is the process of adapting the way individuals or organizations work, by embracing new strategies, culture, and methods to harness the potential of AI, ultimately enhancing overall performance and efficiency.”

This definition covers both individuals and organizations and maintains simplicity while conveying the broader implications of AI transformation.

I took the revised version and my original and drafted two new options. I then returned to GPT-4 with these variations.

Tim: Which of these two do you like best?

1. AI transformation means using AI to change how you or your company works, with the goal of enhancing performance, efficiency, or well-being.

2. AI transformation means using AI to enhance your own or your companies’ performance, efficiency, or well-being.

ChatGPT: I prefer the second option:

“AI transformation means using AI to enhance your own or your companies’ performance, efficiency, or well-being.”

This version is more concise and directly emphasizes the desired outcomes of AI transformation, namely performance, efficiency, and well-being. It also maintains a clear focus on both individual and organizational levels.

Tim: I also like that one best. A few questions:

1. Do you see any further room for improvement?

2. Is there an even simpler or more appropriate word for "enhance"?

3. Do you agree that well-being should be included?

4. Could "effectiveness" replace "performance + efficiency"?

5. Is there another quality aspect that's missing?

ChatGPT:

1. The definition is quite effective, but there may always be room for improvement depending on the target audience and desired focus.

2. Instead of "enhance," you could use "improve" or "boost" for a simpler alternative.

3. Including well-being is a good idea, as it broadens the scope and acknowledges the potential positive impact of AI on individuals and organizations beyond just performance and efficiency.

4. "Effectiveness" could replace "performance + efficiency," but it may not cover all the nuances of the two terms. "Effectiveness" generally refers to achieving desired outcomes, while "performance" and "efficiency" focus on the quality and speed of achieving those outcomes, respectively.

5. You might consider adding "adaptability" or "innovation" as another quality aspect, as AI transformation often involves staying up-to-date with emerging technologies and incorporating new ideas and techniques.

Taking these points into consideration, here's a revised version of the definition:

“AI transformation means using AI to improve your own or your companies' effectiveness, adaptability, and well-being.”

This version incorporates the points discussed above while maintaining simplicity and clarity.

Tim: Performance also can cover "efficiency" and "adaptability" though. I.e., if you perform better, that can mean higher quality, but also more speed. So maybe "performance" is sufficient, and I think "creativity" should also be added. So:

“AI transformation means using AI to enhance your own or your companies’ performance, creativity, or well-being.”

ChatGPT: Yes, you're correct that "performance" can encompass aspects like efficiency and adaptability. Adding "creativity" is also a good idea, as it highlights the potential of AI to foster innovative thinking and problem-solving. The revised definition:

“AI transformation means using AI to enhance your own or your companies’ performance, creativity, or well-being.”

This definition is concise, clear, and captures the key aspects of AI transformation for both individuals and organizations.

Tim: Two more thoughts though:

1. What's the well-being of a company? Does that make sense?

2. What's missing now is that transformation suggests completely rethinking/changing how you do things. I.e., it's not just a small change. That's a bit missing now. Could we replace "enhance" with something like "revolutionize"? Though that's a bit of a cliche. Is there a word though that's similar to "enhance" but also captures more of that idea of completely changing how you do things?

ChatGPT:

1. The well-being of a company might not be as clear a concept as it is for individuals. However, it can be understood as the overall health and stability of a company, including aspects like employee satisfaction, financial stability, positive company culture, and strong relationships with stakeholders. Although not as common a term, it can still make sense in this context.

2. To emphasize the transformative nature of AI, you could use words like "reinvent," "reshape," or "reimagine." These terms convey the idea of significant change and innovation, rather than a mere enhancement.

Taking these points into account, here's a revised definition:

“AI transformation means using AI to reshape your own or your companies' performance, creativity, and well-being.”

This definition emphasizes the transformative aspect of AI and covers both individuals and organizations.

Tim: But that doesn't entirely make sense, because you don't really "reshape" your performance, creativity, or well-being. You reshape how you do things, and that leads to enhanced performance, creativity, and well-being.

ChatGPT: You're right, and I appreciate the clarification. Here's a revised definition that better captures the transformative nature of AI while emphasizing the outcomes:

“AI transformation means leveraging AI to fundamentally change the way you or your company operates, ultimately leading to improved performance, creativity, and well-being.”

This definition highlights both the process of transformation (changing the way one operates) and the desired outcomes (enhanced performance, creativity, and well-being) for individuals and organizations.

Tim: How about this?

AI transformation means using AI to exponentially enhance your own or your companies' performance, creativity, and well-being.

ChatGPT: That definition works well:

“AI transformation means using AI to exponentially enhance your own or your companies' performance, creativity, and well-being.”

By using the term "exponentially," you're emphasizing the significant impact AI can have on performance, creativity, and well-being, which implies a transformative change. This definition remains concise, clear, and effectively communicates the concept of AI transformation for both individuals and organizations.

Tim: Last potential change. Which is better?

“AI transformation means using AI to exponentially enhance your own or your companies' performance, creativity, and well-being.”

OR

“AI transformation means using AI to exponentially enhance the performance, creativity, and well-being of individuals or organizations.”

ChatGPT: Both definitions effectively communicate the concept of AI transformation. However, the second option is slightly more formal and clearer in its structure:

“AI transformation means using AI to exponentially enhance the performance, creativity, and well-being of individuals or organizations.”

This version explicitly separates the subjects (individuals and organizations) from the qualities being enhanced (performance, creativity, and well-being), making it easier to understand for a broader audience.

Tim: OR

“AI transformation means using AI to exponentially enhance the performance, creativity, and well-being of yourself or your organization."

ChatGPT: This last version is also effective and maintains a balance between formality and clarity:

“AI transformation means using AI to exponentially enhance the performance, creativity, and well-being of yourself or your organization.”

It offers a more personal touch by using "yourself" instead of "individuals," making it relatable to the reader. Both this version and the previous one effectively communicate the concept of AI transformation, so you can choose the one that best suits your intended audience and style.

To recap, we started with:

After my back and forth with GPT-4, we arrived at:¹

Let me know in the comments if you found it helpful to follow along with this interaction, or if you have other use cases where you've found it useful to use AI as a sparring partner!

Tim

1. And the more formal variant: “AI transformation means using AI to exponentially enhance the performance, creativity, and well-being of individuals or organizations."