AI Photo by Andrea De Santis on Unsplash

Artificial Intelligence—AI for short—is everywhere these days. Some people are all-in, automating everything, while others feel a little uneasy. So, where’s the sweet spot for using AI in a way that’s efficient but still true to your voice? This week on my podcast, Her Faith at Work, my friend Doris Savron, a leadership expert and early AI adopter, to get into the nitty-gritty of AI’s role in business. Here’s what we learned about using AI effectively, ethically, and with personality!

[Side note – this was Doris’s second time on the podcast. Hear her episode on leadership here!

1. AI as Your Business Booster (Not Your Boss)

Let’s be real: AI can save you a ton of time on tasks that don’t need your unique touch. From cleaning up email language and brainstorming ideas to helping write a blog post, AI can be your new best friend for those routine tasks. Doris and I discussed how business owners are using AI to streamline everything from content cleanup to creating customer service responses.

How to Start:

• Automate Small Tasks – Use AI to edit content, check grammar, and organize information. These are simple wins that save you time without compromising your authenticity.
• Experiment with Content Ideas – Many entrepreneurs use AI to help generate ideas, then jump in to shape those ideas into something that feels genuine.

2. Ethical Guardrails: Keeping It Real with AI

AI is powerful, but it’s easy to get caught up and let it do too much. Doris shared the importance of setting boundaries around AI, so it serves as an assistant, not a replacement. Think of AI as a tool to help you, not something that takes over. We need to stay mindful of what we’re feeding into it and how we use the output.

Best Practices for Ethical AI Use:

• Disclose AI Use – Be transparent about when you’re using AI-generated content, especially if it wasn’t heavily edited. Authenticity is key, and people appreciate honesty.
• Protect Sensitive Information – Never put confidential or private info into AI tools. Instead, stick to general or public information.

3. AI + Human: The Ultimate Power Combo

Here’s where the magic happens: AI is great for speeding things up, but it really shines when it’s combined with your expertise. Doris and I talked about how the best results come when you use AI to handle the basics, then add your own voice, context, and insights.

How to Balance AI and Your Expertise:

• Use AI to Get Started – Let AI give you a draft or some ideas, but add your personal touch. AI can’t replicate your experience or understanding of your audience.
• Stay Hands-On – Resist the urge to let AI “take over.” Your audience connects with you, not a robot, so make sure you’re involved in the final output.

4. The Power of Prompt Engineering: Get What You Want from AI

Here’s a little-known secret: using AI effectively is all about how you ask it to do things. Doris explained that mastering “prompt engineering” is a game-changer for getting the best results. By telling AI exactly what role to play and what you need, you’ll get responses that are actually helpful and closer to your natural style.

Tips for Prompt Engineering:

• Be Specific – Instead of just asking AI to “write a blog post,” tell it to “write a friendly introduction for a blog post about using AI in business.” The more detail you give, the better the output.
• Give Context – If you want AI to match your tone, provide examples or say, “Use a conversational tone,” so it can mimic your style.

Evolution of AI:

Interesting fun fact, I wrote a blog post over a year ago about my good friend, Chat GPT. I have learn so much since then, but if you’re interested in hear some of my original thoughts on it uses, it might be a good read.

Final Thoughts: Embrace AI Without Losing Your Voice

AI can be a fantastic asset for your business if you use it wisely. The trick is to see it as a tool to enhance your work, not replace it. With a clear set of ethical boundaries and some practice with prompt engineering, you can use AI to save time and boost productivity, all while keeping your voice front and center.

Ready to learn more? Check out the full podcast episode to hear our full conversation and get more tips on using AI effectively and authentically in your business!