How I Use AI.

My General Guidelines Around a Rapidly-Evolving Technology

I’m concerned about AI. So worried about the potential impact on our jobs, our relationships, our brains, and our planet, that I’m scoping an idea for a new nonprofit to help combat the risks while also taking advantage of the opportunities. (Contact me if you want to know more about that project.)


In the meantime, I also use AI tools in some aspects of my consulting and coaching practice. I’m still figuring out what tools work best in what situations, but here are my guiding principles so far. 

  1. Transparency. I will let clients know how I’m using AI on their projects, and to change course if they aren’t comfortable with my AI use.

  2. Responsibility. Ultimately, if I use an AI tool, I remain responsible for all outcomes and products, including any errors. 

  3. Collaboration. Because clients are generally hiring me for what I know based on my experience, I will never use AI to replace my own strategies, recommendations or research. Instead, I may use AI tools as collaborators. For example, I may use an AI tool to help me edit an idea, reword a summary report, or to locate resources that will help me get a faster start on a project. 

  4. Privacy. I will not upload sensitive client information into an AI tool unless the client has given express permission after weighing the risks and benefits.

  5. Default against AI notetakers. I currently prefer not to use AI notetakers. I’m worried about ways those notes or transcripts might accidentally get into the wrong hands. I also find that even though notetaking can feel like an administrative burden at the moment, it’s actually a process through which I learn and make decisions about what’s important. 

  6. Staying agile. AI use cases are evolving daily. I’m committed to staying agile about whether and when using AI can benefit my clients, and updating my practices and this statement accordingly.