Why Generative AI Matters
Generative Artificial Intelligence improves performance by 40%!
That's twice the performance improvement that we saw from the steam engine in the early 1800s.
While some are afraid of losing their jobs to GenAI, working with GenAI can enhance our performance and job security.
What is Generative AI?
Generative AI is a type of artificial intelligence that can learn patterns from large amounts of data to create new content: text, images, music, videos, code, and more.
What Can Generative AI Do?
Based on inputs from users, tools like ChatGPT or Microsoft Copilot can write text and create images in seconds. This can make tasks like drafting emails or designing visuals faster and easier.
Four examples of GenAI tools including Microsoft Copilot, OpenAI ChatGPT, Hangzhou DeepSeek, and Google Gemini.
Learn More
If you're brand new to GenAI, check out this video: Generative AI explained in 2 minutes.
1. Know the Ground Rules
Review the GenAI Policy
Before using GenAI, you need to know what is okay and what is not okay.Check the GenAI policy that's specific to your workplace or school. Policies help ensure GenAI is used safely, ethically, and effectively. If answers to these questions are still unclear, reach out to your manager or teacher to clarify.
What GenAI tools can be used?
What tasks can GenAI be used for?
What information is okay to share with GenAI and what information must remain confidential?
What are the expectations for referencing GenAI use?
When to Use GenAI and When Not To
There are times when GenAI works great and others when it is too risky or performs poorly. For example, it's great for brainstorming many unique ideas or drafting emails. The risk is too high for GenAI to write legal contracts or fact-check unfamiliar topics.
When GenAI Works Well
Where you are an expert
Work that requires quantity
Work that requires variation
Help with tone, grammar, clarity, and structure
Note: to keep your voice, tell GenAI "do not rewrite" and provide feedback instead.
When Caution is Required
When effort is the point
When high accuracy is needed
When there are unknown risks
Tasks GenAI does poorly (trial & error)
Quiz
Which of the following are good tasks for GenAI? Select all that apply:
2. Choose Your Tool(s)
Use Pre-Selected Tools
Based on the GenAI policy, you may be required to use a specific GenAI tool(s). In my workplace, we have an enterprise license for Microsoft Copilot. This is the GenAI tool we use as it protects the company's and clients' data.
Below is the Microsoft Copilot interface that asks "What can I help you with?" You can type text, upload content (select + icon), or use the audio option (bottom right). There are also pre-made prompts. For example, "Help me improve my writing in this file: upload document."
Select a Tool of Your Choice
If the choice is up to you, here's a GenAI Use Cases Guide from Stanford University.
GenAI Categories
Drudgery: helps with everyday tasks
Dreaming: helps you think
Design: creates content
Development: works well for accessibility and coding.
GenAI Tools By Category
Versatile (all four categories): Google Gemini, Microsoft Copilot, and OpenAI ChatGPT
Design: Adobe Firefly and Canva AI generation
Development: Azure OpenAI, Google Vertex, AWS Bedrock, or SageMaker
Learn More
There are new GenAI tools coming out all the time. Professor Ethan Mollick regularly publishes an article (Using AI Right Now) in his blog, One Useful Thing.This blog provides up-to-date information on GenAI. The current popular tools include Anthropic's Claude, Google’s Gemini, and OpenAI’s ChatGPT.
3. Apply Prompting Best Practices
Prompting Tips
Prompts are written or oral information you input into GenAI to create outputs . Here are key prompting tips:
Context: include role(s), guidance, constraints, and output format.
Clear and specific: use clear, specific, easy to understand language.
Provide examples: share a desired output and what to avoid.
Iterate and improve: test out your prompts. Use step-by-step prompts. Keep track of what works.
Credibility: Include reputable sources to guide GenAI. Check the accuracy of outputs.
Sample Prompting Formulas
Simple and easy to remember: PCT = Persona + Context + Task
More Complex: (Role/Context) + (Task/Action) + (Constraints/Guidance) + (Outcome/Focus)
Prompt Example
Role/Context: You're an HR Assistant at a tech company preparing for an upcoming career fair.
Task/Action: Create a 5-bullet checklist for employees attending the fair to represent the company effectively.
Constraints/Guidance: Keep each bullet under 12 words; use inclusive language; and ensure the tone is professional yet friendly. Align checklist with the company's Career Fair Resource (attach file).
Outcome/Focus: The checklist should help employees feel prepared and confident when engaging with candidates.
Watch: How to Create a Great Microsoft Copilot Prompt
This 1:31 min video summarizes key strategies to write an effective prompt. The GenAI tool used is Microsoft Copilot. These strategies also work for other GenAI tools.
Quiz
Improve this prompt: "Edit my email for a professional audience." Select all that apply:
4. Try GenAI Prompting with Case Examples
In this section, you'll have the chance to try out different GenAI prompts and compare your outputs. You can use the GenAI tool of your choice. There are three case examples. Choose the one case that is closest to your work tasks. If you have time, you're welcome to try out all three.
1. Marketing Assistant
Vague: “Write a promo email.”
Improved: “As a retail marketing assistant, draft a 90‑word email for our fall shoe sale (20% off). Audience: Canadian college students. Include 2 potential subject lines with preview lines. Avoid emojis. Include a bulleted list. End with a clear call to action.”
Improvement: Clear role, audience, length, tone, format.
Try it out: Can you identify the different parts of the prompt (PCT= Persona, Context, Task)? Enter the prompts and review the outputs. Can you improve the output further?
>> Copilot Output Using Improved Prompt 🤖
Subject Line Options
Step Into Fall with 20% Off Shoes! Preview: Campus-ready style starts here—limited time.
Fall Footwear Sale: Save 20% Today Preview: Upgrade your look without breaking the bank.
Email Body
Fall Shoe Sale: 20% Off! Get campus-ready with fresh fall styles at student-friendly prices.
20% off all shoes
Limited-time savings
Perfect for campus & weekends
Don’t wait — shop now and step up your look!
"Shop the Sale" [hyperlink]
2. Graphic Designer
Vague: “Make a cool ad image for boots.”
Improved: As a graphic designer, generate a fall-themed ad image for boots. Include greens, blues, reds and oranges with warm tones. The audience is Canadian college students. Include a campus backdrop.”
Improvement: Clear role, colour theme, audience, and output.
Try It Out: Label the parts of the prompt (PCT= Persona, Context, Task). Input the prompts. Consider design specific GenAI like Canva or Adobe.
>> Copilot Output Using Improved Prompt 🤖
3. Learning and Development (L&D) Specialist
Vague: “Create a learning objective on how to write a report."
Improved: "As an L&D specialist, create a 3-part learning objective for marketing assistants on how to write effective one-page stakeholder reports given a template and campaign results. Include: condition, performance statement, criteria, and source. Include one higher-order verb using Bloom's Taxonomy."
Try It Out: Label prompt parts (PCT= Persona, Context, Task). Input the prompts. Compare different outputs. Can you improve the output further?
>> Copilot Output For the Improved Prompt 🤖
Condition: Using the provided template and campaign results,
Performance: Create a one-page summary report for stakeholders.
Criteria:
Executive summary is under 150 words
Includes at least one data visualization (chart or graph)
Maintains clear, concise, and professional tone
Final Challenge: Make Prompts For Your Role
Based on your current role (school or workplace), choose a task you would like GenAI to assist you with. Try writing a vague prompt. Then, use best practices and prompting formulas to improve your prompt. Remember to have a conversation and continually iterate to improve the GenAI output.
Try this for a few different tasks.
Was GenAI helpful?
What will you use GenAI for in the future?
Take Action
Photo by Igor Omilaev on UnsplashReady to start using GenAI to improve your performance?
Here are the key steps:
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