You can’t go anywhere without hearing about artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact now and into the future.
If you’re Gen Y (millennial), Gen Z, or Gen Alpha, you probably use ChatGPT — a highly popular AI chatbot developed by OpenAI, renowned for its advanced natural language processing — on a daily basis.
Whether it is creating job descriptions if you work in human resources, or helping you draft or edit emails if you are in communications, it is second nature to lean on artificial intelligence tools like Gemini, Claude or Copilot.
As a Boomer active in business, you may be using AI tools, though it’s easy to feel overwhelmed when still experimenting.
Earlier this year, I was introduced to a book, The AI-Driven Leader, published in 2024, which introduced me to the concept of “AI as a thought partner.” The author, Geoff Woods, writes: “The true game changer isn’t using AI to craft better emails, it’s harnessing AI to elevate your strategic thinking.”
Think about it. Instead of using AI to write emails or thinking of it as a threat to your future job market, shift your thinking to see it as a powerful ally in making faster, smarter decisions. It’s shifting away from the tactical, operational world to strategic thinking.
Instead of asking, “How can I solve this problem?” you should start asking, “How can AI help me solve this problem?”
After reading this book, I realized the key to leveraging AI in strategic thinking is how you ask the questions of AI as your thought partner. If you have already drafted a document, a sales presentation or a strategic plan, an excellent next step is to use this phrase:
“Attached is my sales presentation. I want you to act as my thought partner by asking me one question at a time to challenge my thinking, my recommendations and to give me the perspective of a client who will read this. Once you have enough information, give me a summary of where we are strong, where you see potential weaknesses and recommend ways we can improve them.”
If you want to improve the culture of your company, you can use AI for idea generation. Why not provide a list of what you are considering as an action plan to improve the company culture and then ask AI to be your thought partner and generate additional ideas to expand your initial list of solutions? Ask it to provide non-obvious ideas to challenge your biases. Ask it to prioritize your action steps.
There are so many AI tools available now — from data analytics and document summarization to image generation, inventory, R&D, and recruiting. The list feels endless. If you subscribe to Entrepreneur magazine, then you may have seen the cover story in the May-June edition, These Are the 50 Best AI Tools Right Now.
Taking the first step is manageable. I offered to provide one of my coaching clients with a job description for a new position in the company. I haven’t written job descriptions in years.
So, I opened a Word document and used Copilot as my thought partner to provide me with a first draft, which I then edited.
Do you have a challenging project you are working on, but are having a bit of writer’s block? Why not leverage AI as your thought partner to get you started?
If you’re a reader or an audiobook user, I highly recommend Geoff Woods’ book. He narrates the book himself, and I found his examples and approachability to make the concept of AI much less intimidating. And it opened my eyes to see how AI can amplify the world of work.
And, in case you’re wondering: No, I did not use AI as a thought partner in writing this article. This was written authentically by me.
- Karen Caplan is a former CEO and owner of California-based Frieda’s Branded Produce and is now an executive coach and consultant.
