Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques

How LLMs can help teams supercharge their problem-solving.

Show Notes

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Leveraging AI to unlock new levels of creativity and communication innovation
Join Matt Abrahams with creativity and innovation experts Jeremy Utley and Kian Gohar to explore the transformative potential of AI in the realms of creativity and problem-solving. 
If you treat artificial intelligence like an oracle, you’ll likely be disappointed. But if you treat it like a teammate, Utley and Gohar say you’ll be surprised just how helpful a collaborator it can be.
Utley, an adjunct professor at the Stanford d.school, and Gohar, a bestselling author, keynote speaker, and futurist, have researched how teams can integrate AI into existing workflows to generate more creative ideas and streamline problem-solving. As they’ve found, large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT can be powerful tools for innovation. But without knowing how to implement them, “Most teams leave the vast majority of their innovation potential on the table,” Utley says. In a new white paper, he and Gohar illuminate the path teams can take to use generative AI as a “conversation partner” and transform their brainstorming efforts as a result.
In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Utley and Gohar discuss how innovators can stop viewing AI as a magic 8-ball, and start treating it as a companion — one ready to roll up its sleeves and dig deep for new ideas.

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Chapters:

(00:00:00) Introduction 
Matt Abrahams introduces guests Jeremy Utley and Kian Gohar, and their respective books.
(00:01:02) Motivation Behind the Study on AI's Impact
AI's impact on creativity and problem-solving, including an experiment involving human ideation with and without AI assistance.
(00:03:32) Research Findings on AI and Innovation
Specific practices to effectively use AI in teams for idea generation and the counterintuitive feelings associated with AI-assisted work.
(00:04:37) The Counterintuitive Nature of AI Assistance
Why teams that used AI effectively felt worse about their work, and the importance of adjusting work processes to incorporate AI as a collaborative tool.
(00:07:59) The FIXIT Methodology for AI Collaboration
The FIXIT methodology, a five-step process to enhance collaboration with AI.
(00:12:29) Enhancing Conversations with AI
Improving conversations with AI, including using audio messages for interaction and exploring different large language models for varied inputs.
(00:17:45) The Final Three Questions
Jeremy Utley offers a starting point for individuals new to ChatGPT, and Kian Gohar shares two communicators he admires and his three ingredients for successful communication.
(00:22:57) Conclusion

Creators & Guests

Host
Matt Abrahams
Lecturer Stanford University Graduate School of Business | Think Fast Talk Smart podcast host

What is Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques?

Join Matt Abrahams, a lecturer of Strategic Communication at Stanford Graduate School of Business, every Tuesday as he sits down with experts in the field to discuss real-world challenges.
How do I send my message clearly when put on the spot? How do I write emails to get my point across? How can I easily convey complex information? How do I manage my reputation? Whether you’re giving a toast or presenting in a meeting, communication is critical to success in business and in life.
Think Fast, Talk Smart provides the tools, techniques, and best practices to help you communicate more effectively.
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