57: Using AI for Training and Custom Copilots with Mike Allton
Feb 17, 2025
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Mike Allton, a seasoned content creator and strategist, shares his transformative journey from skepticism to embracing AI in business. He dives into the significance of AI literacy for job security and provides practical strategies for adoption. The discussion highlights the power of personalized AI tools, like Gemini and Claude, for enhancing content creation and productivity. Mike also emphasizes the importance of tailored training sessions and community engagement to unlock AI's full potential in the workplace.
Mike Alton's journey highlights the transformative potential of AI in marketing, emphasizing the need for professionals to embrace its innovations rather than resist change.
AI literacy is crucial for marketers and HR professionals, as many are still unaware of AI’s capabilities, necessitating education and practical adoption strategies.
Alton advocates for grassroots initiatives to promote AI usability, using tailored workshops to empower organizations and foster a culture of AI acceptance and understanding.
Deep dives
Mike Alton's Journey into AI
Mike Alton began exploring artificial intelligence in late 2023, sparked by a warning from expert Sam Altman about the potential obsolescence of marketing jobs due to AI advancements. Initially cautious, Alton immersed himself in the AI landscape, realizing that it represented a significant shift comparable to past industrial revolutions. His commitment to understanding AI was fueled by a desire not just for his growth, but for the sake of his colleagues who might be left behind in this rapidly evolving field. By 2024, he was actively engaging with the AI community through podcasts and writing, thus establishing himself as a key voice in the conversation about AI in marketing.
The Importance of AI Literacy
Alton emphasizes the critical need for AI literacy among professionals, particularly those in marketing, HR, and other fields less familiar with the technology. He recognizes that for many, awareness of the capabilities of AI is still lacking, with many simply using tools like ChatGPT in a limited capacity. As a response, he advocates for starting with simple use cases or prompt engineering to introduce colleagues to AI's functionalities and potential applications in their daily tasks. By fostering a mindset of curiosity and exploration within organizations, he believes employees can uncover the extensive value AI can add to their workflows.
Exploring AI Tools and Their Applications
Mike shares insights on the various AI tools he utilizes, notably emphasizing Gemini for its versatility and productivity features. He appreciates the integration of different large language models (LLMs) within tools like Magi, allowing seamless transitions between different AIs in a single conversation. The flexibility of these tools supports complex tasks such as content creation and strategic planning by providing an immediate source of AI-driven insights and recommendations. Through real-world examples, Mike illustrates how using these tools can lead to significant improvements in efficiency and quality of work outcomes.
Engaging in Community AI Initiatives
Mike's strategy involves engaging with local businesses and organizations to promote AI literacy and usability through workshops and speaking engagements. He highlights the importance of tailoring content to meet the needs of specific audiences by addressing their existing knowledge gaps and potential applications of AI in their work. By offering free introductory sessions, he seeks to create valuable connections and demonstrate AI's practical benefits, ultimately helping individuals and organizations embrace the technology. This grassroots approach not only empowers businesses but also cultivates a wider culture of AI acceptance and understanding.
Future of AI and Its Impact on Work
Looking toward the future, Mike expresses an optimistic view on the evolution of AI, recognizing its ongoing advancements and the competitive landscape of various AI tools. He encourages professionals to adopt an experimental mindset, suggesting that even as new features and tools emerge, they should remain patient and open to learning. The core of his message stresses that the application of AI principles in the workplace transcends specific tools; it's about enhancing productivity and empowering workers. Mike firmly believes that as AI continues to develop, the workforce will need to adapt and find innovative ways to leverage its potential, transforming work processes across industries.
In this episode of Using AI at Work, Chris Daigle sits down with Mike Allton, a seasoned content creator and strategist, to discuss the impact of AI on business and marketing. Mike shares his journey from keeping AI at arm’s length to fully embracing its potential, offering insights into how businesses can use AI tools like Gemini, Claude, and Magai for content creation, strategic planning, and efficiency. They explore AI literacy, practical adoption strategies, and the importance of building a personal AI copilot to enhance decision-making and productivity. If you’re looking for actionable ways to integrate AI into your work, this conversation is packed with invaluable insights.
Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction to Mike Allton 02:00 - Mike’s Journey into AI and Content Strategy 08:15 - How Businesses Should Approach AI Adoption 14:05 - AI Literacy: The Key to Staying Competitive 20:30 - The Power of AI Copilots for Employees 27:45 - AI Tools That Make the Biggest Impact 34:10 - Using AI to Strategize Business Growth 41:00 - How to Start Speaking on AI in Your Local Community 48:15 - The Future of AI and Key Trends to Watch 55:00 - Final Thoughts and Where to Learn More
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