5 Ways to Find Peace Amid AI Anxiety and Chaos
Technology is far outpacing our readiness to use it.
And yet, many voices are shouting about the latest shiny objects. Some businesses and entrepreneurs are trying to outpace competition while taking irresponsible measures to make it happen without fully understanding the consequences.
There are too many tools to keep up with.
There are about 1.5 million different AI models and more than 150,000 publicly available custom GPTs in the ChatGPT store alone. People are starting to feel left behind, fueling job insecurity and making them feel stuck.
On top of all that, there's not much formal training within companies. With all your work, you're also expected to learn on your own with fewer resources and time, not to mention paying your own way.
Companies are starting to reduce headcount.
AI is far from widely replacing real people. Human-piloted AI is now the most powerful, efficient, and responsible solution. Companies that reduce their workforce prematurely are going to learn a hard lesson.
Agencies and consultants are losing clients.
On-going work, like content creation or data analysis, which traditionally was easily outsourced, is now being done internally by companies adopting AI for this work. Time will tell if that's premature. Companies that do it the right way may succeed, but there certainly will be many that don't.
So what now?
Slow Down
With endless headlines about OpenAI's ChatGPT, Google's Gemini, Anthropic's Claud, Meta's Llama, and now DeepSeek, it's easy to get lost in the swirl of developments.
You don't have to be first, but you do need to start. And you don't need to learn everything at once.
Pick One Thing and Get Better
Don't wait for the next update. Jump in now! Pick one you trust the most.
For example, if you're a communicator, use AI to analyze audience engagement trends.
"Don't look at all the shiny objects. Look for areas of improvement, and then find and develop a shiny object that fits your needs. AI should always solve a real problem." - Molly Soto, Vice President, rf.engage
You could even start with the tools you have. Understand how they're using AI or whether they're adding capabilities that impact you. They'll likely let you know if they're working on releasing something to keep you as a customer. Work with them to learn how they use your data and read up on their policies.
The same goes for any new platforms you're looking into. There are thousands of AI tools. Tools for generative AI, AI agents, and tools with AI built underneath. Soon, everything you use will have some connection to artificial intelligence, and the term 'AI' will start to fade away.
Listen to the Right People
Listen to the calm voice in the room.
Find someone who talks about the good and the bad that comes with these tools and developments. If someone is constantly for or always against something, they'll probably not give you an honest assessment.
Listen to people with your best interests in mind. The loudest voices in the room (or on LinkedIn) who post sensational commentary with a limited worldview often don't understand your unique situation.
Please ignore the 'AI bros.'
With so many AI influencers pushing hype, look for professionals with real-world experience who balance innovation with responsibility. Avoid echo chambers.
Take Advantage of Free Resources
The best way to stay ahead is to find high-quality, research-backed insights and training. Staying informed doesn't mean endless research or costly courses. Here are a few trusted resources to help you stay informed and build your AI literacy.
Grammarly's State of Business Communication report examines the current landscape of workplace communication, emphasizing the increasing volume and complexity of interactions. It discusses how generative AI can improve communication efficiency and quality while addressing challenges like security concerns and the need for AI literacy among employees.
A recent Ruder Finn and Ragan survey reveals disparities in AI adoption within internal communications, influenced by industry, company size, and job roles. Key findings include higher AI usage in tech-forward industries, reluctance among larger companies, and greater enthusiasm for AI among C-suite executives compared to other employees.
Breuklander Communications' GenAI Playbook is a free 7-day email course that offers insights into integrating AI into executive messaging and employee engagement strategies. It covers topics like using AI tools to enhance communication, boosting employee engagement through personalization, and effectively implementing AI in internal communication.
OpenAI's Prompt Engineering section provides strategies and best practices for crafting effective prompts when working with large language models like GPT-4. It aims to help users elicit more accurate and relevant responses from AI by refining their prompt engineering techniques.
Gartner's section on Generative AI resources defines generative AI as artificial intelligence capable of producing new content, such as text, images, and code, by learning from existing data. It highlights the technology's potential to automate tasks, enhance creativity, and drive innovation across various industries.
Invest in Your Growth
Sometimes, you need to invest more than just time in developing your knowledge and skills. Working for a company without a professional development budget makes it hard to sink money into a random course.
Stick with the ones you trust. Stay in your network if that's what you're most comfortable with.
Businesses are prioritizing people who are AI-literate. You might already be behind if you wait until your employer provides training.
Professionals proactively developing AI skills position themselves for leadership, higher salaries, and more strategic organizational roles.
If you're ready to take a strategic approach, check out workshops like the GenAI Readiness Workshop, designed to help professionals confidently integrate AI into their work.