689: How to Use AI to Think Better, with José Antonio Bowen

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Jul 15, 2024

José Antonio Bowen, an award-winning professor and author, shares insights on the evolving role of AI in our lives and workplaces. He discusses how AI can transform our thinking and creativity, rather than simply being a tool for efficiency. Bowen underscores the importance of prompt engineering to maximize AI's creative potential and highlights the need for non-technical individuals to embrace AI in their workflows. He encourages a mindset of experimentation, suggesting that the future job landscape will favor those adept at leveraging AI.

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INSIGHT

AI's Impact on Work

AI, like calculators and dictionaries, changes how we think and work.
It redefines "cheating" by allowing collaboration and automation.

ANECDOTE

AI and Empathy

Doctors now use AI for insurance notes, allowing more patient interaction.
AI can improve empathy in fields like call centers and veterinary medicine.

ADVICE

Explore AI's Potential

Regardless of your feelings about AI, explore its potential.
Use AI to enhance your thinking and creativity.

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José Antonio Bowen: Teaching With AI

José Antonio Bowen has won teaching awards at Stanford and Georgetown and is past president of Goucher College. He has written over 100 scholarly articles and has appeared as a musician with Stan Getz, Bobby McFerrin, and others. He is the author of multiple books in higher education and is a senior fellow for the American Association of Colleges and Universities. He is the author with C. Edward Watson of Teaching With AI: A Practical Guide to a New Era of Human Learning*.

AI will change how we work, but it’s also going to change how we think. In this conversation, José and I explore where to begin working with AI and why those who can use it will serve a critical role in shaping what’s next.

Key Points

Physical maps make you smarter than GPS, but GPS is more practical for daily use. AI isn’t inherently good or bad, but like the internet, it will change how we work.
AI will eliminate some jobs, but it will change every job. Those who can work with AI will replace those who can’t.
Rather than thinking about creativity through the lens of responses from AI, focus on bringing creativity into your prompts.
Most of the AI progress for companies is coming from non-tech folks that are figuring out how specific tasks get more efficient.
AI is very good at some things and not good at others. You’ll discover how this relates to your work by experimenting with different prompts.

Resources Mentioned

Teaching With AI: A Practical Guide to a New Era of Human Learning* by José Antonio Bowen and C. Edward Watson
Example AI Prompts by José Antonio Bowen
The Human Side of Generative AI: Creating a Path to Productivity by Aaron De Smet, Sandra Durth, Bryan Hancock, Marino Mugayar-Baldocchi, and Angelika Reich
Moderna and OpenAI partner to Accelerate the Development of Life-Saving Treatments
The State of AI in Early 2024: Gen AI Adoption Spikes and Starts to Generate Value by Alex Singla, Alexander Sukharevsky, Lareina Yee, Michael Chui, and Bryce Hall

Interview Notes

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