Main image of article Teaching Generative AI to Non-Technical Staff: Some Tips

Companies everywhere are integrating generative AI tools such as ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini into their workflows as fast as they can. That means tech professionals are often tasked with quickly tutoring their colleagues in how generative AI actually works, along with its benefits and dangers.

If you’re one of those tech pros who suddenly needs to lecture a couple dozen colleagues on how to use ChatGPT safely, here are some tips.

Explain the Basics

Start by providing a simple, understandable definition of generative AI. Explain that it’s a type of artificial intelligence that can create new content, such as text, images, or code based on existing data.

People love examples, particularly if they’re confronted with something new and abstract, so illustrate generative AI's capabilities with real-world examples that your colleagues can easily grasp. For instance, explain how it can be used to generate creative content, automate tasks, or provide personalized recommendations. Make those examples relevant to their current workflows.

Here are some other handy tips:

  • Use clear language: Avoid technical jargon and use simple, everyday language to explain complex concepts.
  • Provide visual aids: Use diagrams, charts, or videos to illustrate key points and make the information more engaging.
  • Encourage questions: Foster an open and collaborative learning environment by encouraging your colleagues to ask questions and seek clarification.

Focus on the Strengths of Generative AI… and the Downsides

Emphasize the advantages of generative AI, such as increased efficiency, improved productivity, and enhanced creativity. Highlight how it can help your organization solve complex problems and achieve new goals.

However, it’s also critical to also acknowledge the limitations of this technology. Be transparent about the potential drawbacks of generative AI. Discuss issues like bias, misinformation, and the risk of overreliance on the technology. Employees need to know, for example, that generative AI can authoritatively tell you the wrong answer to a question.

Highlight Responsible AI Usage

While generative AI can be an incredibly useful tool for many employees, the technology does have a potential for chaos. When instructing your colleagues about responsible AI usage, explain the importance of protecting sensitive data when using generative AI. Discuss best practices for data anonymization, encryption, and access control. For example, if employees are using a free version of a popular generative AI tool such as Gemini, they should probably obfuscate any proprietary information.

For instance, if your “basic” prompt looks something like this:

“Our company, Acme Corp, recorded a significant 57% increase in inventory costs last quarter, but our sales revenue remained relatively flat at 10%. Can you provide potential reasons for this discrepancy and suggest strategies for improving our inventory management?”

Change it to something like:

“A business experienced a rise in the cost of goods sold in a recent period by 110%, despite minimal growth in sales of 0%. What could be causing this, and how can the company optimize its inventory practices?”

The output will still be useful, but you won’t risk important information “leaking” online. (Alternately, you could pay for the enterprise versions of various generative AI tools, which take additional steps to safeguard clients’ data.)

Here are some other things to keep in mind:

  • Bias mitigation: Underscore the need to address biases in training data to ensure that the AI generates fair and equitable outcomes.
  • Ethical considerations: Discuss ethical implications of generative AI, such as the potential for misuse or negative societal impacts. Encourage your colleagues to use the technology responsibly and ethically.

Provide Hands-on Learning Opportunities

People often learn best when they can try things out. Consider the following:

  • Organize workshops: Conduct interactive workshops where participants can experiment with generative AI tools and see firsthand how they work.
  • Encourage experimentation: Encourage your colleagues to explore different applications of generative AI and discover new ways to use it to their advantage.

By following these guidelines, you can empower your colleagues—even the most non-technical ones—to leverage generative AI to effectively drive their own projects forward. As with teaching folks about any other technology, do your best to make the information engaging and relevant to their needs.