If you’ve been wondering what happens when someone uses AI for everything, I’m here to tell you that it’s equal parts hilarious and humbling. Hi, I’m Britney Cole. Let me explain.
As the chief innovation officer at Blanchard, I’m constantly thinking about how to push boundaries and embrace the cutting edge. Naturally, when my organization became an early adopter of the ChatGPT Enterprise platform, I went all in. And when I say “all in,” I mean it: ChatGPT has become my unofficial intern, life coach, research assistant, ghostwriter, and even occasional therapist. (Don’t judge—it gives great pep talks.)
But lately, I’ve started to wonder: is AI gradually diminishing my intelligence?
Outsourcing My Brain
Let’s start with the basics. Need to craft a perfectly worded email? ChatGPT. Struggling to find the perfect icebreaker for a meeting? ChatGPT. Drafting a policy on generative AI for partners? Yep, ChatGPT again. Planning a dinner menu or brainstorming gift ideas for a friend? You guessed it.
I’ve outsourced so much of my cognitive load that I’m starting to forget how to do simple things. Last week, I caught myself Googling “How to write a thank-you note without sounding like a robot.” The irony wasn’t lost on me.
The Funniest Part? I Don’t Care.
Here’s the thing: I don’t feel dumb. I feel empowered. Outsourcing the mundane, repetitive, and energy-draining parts of my life has freed me to focus on the big stuff: strategy, creativity, connection, and showing up for my team and family. In fact, I’ve learned that being smart isn’t about knowing everything—it’s about knowing what resources to leverage and when.
Facing the Fear Factor
That said, I know not everyone feels this way about AI. For many, it’s intimidating—a harbinger of job displacement, ethical dilemmas, and sci-fi nightmares. And while those concerns are valid, I want to flip the script: AI doesn’t have to be scary. In fact, it can be a tool for empowerment if we use it intentionally.
Personal Meets Professional
In my personal life, ChatGPT has helped me navigate everything from parenting dilemmas to vacation planning. Professionally, it’s my secret weapon for brainstorming creative solutions, drafting communications, and even helping clients see new possibilities for their teams.
Here’s an example: While preparing a keynote on innovation, I asked ChatGPT to identify counterexamples to a common assumption my audience held. It saved me hours of research and led to one of the most engaging parts of my talk.
So, What’s the Takeaway?
Here’s what I’ve learned (and what you can apply): AI isn’t about replacing people—it’s about augmenting their capabilities. For individuals, it’s a tool to streamline tasks and free up mental bandwidth. For leaders, it’s an opportunity to foster innovation and efficiency. For teams and organizations, it’s a catalyst for reimagining workflows and collaboration.
Tactical Ways to Drive the Conversation
Want to start a productive dialogue about AI in your organization? Here are three easy steps:
1. Start Small: Identify one task or process where AI could add value. It might be drafting reports, analyzing data, or generating creative ideas. Test it, refine it, and evaluate the impact.
2. Debrief as a Team: After using AI, hold a conversation about what worked and what didn’t. How did it change the way you approached the task? What challenges arose?
3. Shift the Narrative: Instead of framing AI as a threat, talk about it as an opportunity to level up skills, save time, and focus on meaningful work. Share success stories and encourage experimentation.
Final Thoughts
Sure, AI might make us feel a little dumber about some things (like remembering how to format a PowerPoint slide—seriously, when was the last time I did that?). But it also makes us smarter where it counts. By leaning into AI’s potential, we can create space for what really matters: creativity, connection, and growth.
So here’s my challenge to you: How can AI make you better? What’s one thing you could delegate to a digital assistant today? Try it, laugh at the awkward moments, and keep the conversation going. After all, innovation isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about asking better questions.
About the Author
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