Who are the AI power users, and how to become one

 By the CogX R&I team

July 05, 2024

2024 is the year AI in the office becomes a reality. 

More companies are about to hit the gas on artificial intelligence in the workplace, and a new breed of employee is leading the charge.  According to Microsoft and LinkedIn's 2024 Work Trend Index, the rise of the "AI power user" is shaking things up - and redefining what it takes to win in today's job market.

To be sure, companies have been talking about AI adoption for years, but this recent survey reveals a key tipping point. A staggering 66% of business leaders now say they wouldn't hire someone without AI skills. That's a dramatic shift from just a few years ago when AI proficiency was seen as a nice-to-have rather than a must-have.

But here's where it gets interesting. While companies are scrambling for AI talent, they're not necessarily equipping their current workforce with the tools they need. Only 39% of employees globally have received AI training from their employers. That's creating a skills gap that's widening by the day.

Enter the AI power user. These are the employees who aren't waiting for their companies to catch up. They're bringing their own AI tools to work, experimenting frequently, and reaping the benefits.

So, how do you become one of these super-powered individuals?

Let's break down the secrets of the AI power user.

Understanding the AI Power User

AI power users showcase what is possible when individuals are equipped with the right tools and encouraged to innovate.

They’re all about using AI tools effectively to streamline tasks, boost productivity, and unleash their creativity. The key to becoming an AI power user involves mastering a few key concepts:

1. Creating Effective AI Prompts

Crafting precise and context-rich prompts is essential for getting the most out of AI tools. This skill allows users to extract more relevant and accurate responses from AI systems, making their work more streamlined. 

Assign a role or persona:

To maximise the benefits of AI tools, users need to clearly define the role of the AI in their prompts. By starting with phrases like “act as” or “pretend to be,” users can guide the AI to provide responses that are more accurate and contextually relevant. For instance, instructing the AI to “act as an expert in data analysis” ensures that the information provided is specialised and precise.

Define a clear objective:

The objective element of a prompt should succinctly outline what the user wants the AI to accomplish. Whether it's generating creative ideas or performing complex data analysis, being specific about the task's objective is crucial. For example, instead of a vague request, a well-defined task could be: “Generate a list of innovative marketing strategies for a new tech product.”

Identify the scope and key requirements:

Clear requirements are essential to ensure the AI's response meets the user's needs without making incorrect assumptions. This involves providing detailed information and conditions that define the output. For example, specifying the format, length, and key points can lead to more tailored and useful responses.

Guide with Examples or Templates: 

You can help the AI create what you want by giving it examples or using templates. This makes the AI's work more accurate and faster. You can also use special symbols to separate different parts of your instructions.

2. Leveraging Prompt Libraries

Prompt libraries such as GPTBot  and PromptHero offer invaluable resources for creating effective prompts. These platforms provide a wealth of examples and categories, showcasing successful prompts and their outcomes. By exploring these libraries, users can gain inspiration and refine their prompt-crafting skills, contributing to a collaborative community of AI power users.

Even big model developers like Anthropic have their own prompt libraries you should check out.

3. Formared outputs.

AI assistants like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claud are great at churning out text, but what if your blog post needs a table or some snazzy HTML? Don't worry, these AI models have you covered.

ChatGPT, for example, lets you tell it exactly what format you want your answer in. You can ask for poems, scripts, emails or even tables.

Claud newest model, Claude 3.5 Sonnet, allows users to edit generated content like documents and code in real time.

Gemini also goes beyond just text generation — it can also generate basic line graphs, bar charts, and similar visuals.

Prompt: Make a line graph showing the relationship between time and velocity, where the initial velocity is 40 m/s, and the acceleration is -10 m/s² for 4 seconds.	Prompt: Show my monthly expenses in a pie chart: Rent 1200, Groceries 300, Gas 60, Electricity 80, and Internet 50.

Conclusion

The rise of the AI power user marks a significant shift in the modern workforce. By mastering AI tools, these professionals are setting new standards for productivity and creativity. As businesses navigate this digital transformation, the need for structured AI training and ethical considerations will be critical. 

The future of work is here, and those who embrace AI's potential will lead the way in shaping a new era of innovation.