Working with AI: Lessons from Partnering in Business
As AI systems like ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot become standard tools in our workflows, they’re proving to be much more than just software—they’re collaborative partners. This article explores key principles for working effectively with AI, drawing parallels to how we approach human partnerships. From setting clear expectations to recognizing each partner’s strengths, learn how to make the most of AI as a valuable part of your professional toolkit.
In today’s professional landscape, generative AI systems like ChatGPT and Microsoft’s Copilot are becoming essential tools for many of us. These AI systems assist in a wide variety of tasks, from drafting reports and responding to customer inquiries to analyzing financial data and generating code. Their versatility allows them to function as collaborative partners, helping with everything from brainstorming ideas to creating structured project plans.
Generative AI systems bring many of the same benefits we look for in human partners. They offer support across multiple roles — assisting with content creation, coding, data analysis, research, and even organizing workflows. But while human and AI partners can both provide valuable assistance, working effectively with each requires different approaches. Human partners bring intuition, creativity, and personal insight, while AI offers efficiency, consistency, and the ability to process vast amounts of information quickly.
In this article, we’ll explore the similarities and differences between working with generative AI and human partners, highlighting principles that can help us get the most from both. By looking at these partnerships side by side, we can better understand how to integrate AI thoughtfully into our workflows while still valuing the unique contributions of human collaboration.
1. Avoid Assumptions and Prejudgments
When partnering with human colleagues, it’s common to have some initial expectations based on their roles or experience. However, staying open to their unique perspectives and capabilities often leads to more effective collaboration. Assuming too much about someone’s abilities can limit the opportunities for fresh ideas and insights.
With AI: Set fair expectations and avoid assuming that AI “knows” more (or less) than it does. Generative AI learns from vast amounts of data, but it relies entirely on clear instructions to deliver what you’re looking for. Approaching AI with an open mindset, just as you would a new human partner, allows you to discover its capabilities fully.
2. Communicate Clearly and Directly
Clear communication is fundamental in any partnership. With human partners, providing concise, direct instructions helps avoid misunderstandings and ensures that everyone is aligned on the task at hand.
With AI: Precise prompts and structured instructions lead to better outcomes. For instance, if you ask ChatGPT to “write a report on market trends,” the output could vary widely depending on how it interprets the phrase. But by specifying the type of trends, time period, or key points to cover, you can guide it more effectively. Just as with human and AI partners, clarity in communication directly impacts the quality of the results.
3. Allow Room for Independent Thought
One of the strengths of working with human partners is the ability to draw on their insights and ideas. Allowing colleagues to approach a problem in their own way can often lead to creative solutions you may not have considered.
With AI: Generative AI doesn’t think independently in the same way, but it can provide unique perspectives when given a bit of flexibility in prompts. For example, asking it to “suggest potential improvements for our customer support process” may yield ideas that spark new thinking. While AI lacks true autonomy, giving it exploratory tasks can yield unexpected insights, similar to how an independent approach from a human partner might add value.
4. Offer Constructive Feedback and Adjust as Needed
In human partnerships, feedback is crucial for improvement. Constructive feedback helps clarify expectations, refine approaches, and build a stronger working relationship over time.
With AI: Feedback is more about refining your prompts for better results. For example, if AI generates a report that’s too general, you might adjust by rephrasing your prompt to specify the report’s focus or add details like “include UK-specific data” or “focus on the last six months.” With AI, small adjustments create a feedback loop that improves the output, similar to offering guidance to a human partner but without the personal learning component.
5. Recognize the Limits of Each Partner
Human partners bring intuition, adaptability, and the ability to make complex judgments. However, they may have limitations when it comes to tasks that require constant repetition or processing massive amounts of data.
With AI: Generative AI excels at handling data-intensive tasks and repetitive queries, but it lacks the intuition and emotional intelligence humans bring to nuanced problems. Knowing the boundaries of each partner’s strengths ensures that you delegate tasks in ways that play to each one’s capabilities — using AI for rapid analysis, for instance, while relying on human partners for context-heavy or creative work.
6. Encourage Ongoing Learning and Development
Continuous learning is a valuable asset in any professional partnership. Human partners benefit from ongoing development, whether through training, new projects, or learning new skills.
With AI: Generative AI systems like ChatGPT improve over time through updates and refinements. Staying informed about the latest advancements helps you make the most of their evolving capabilities. While AI doesn’t “learn” from each interaction in the way humans do, regularly adapting your use of AI to its latest features keeps both AI and human partnerships dynamic.
7. Recognize the Value (Even if AI Doesn’t Need the Praise)
It’s natural to thank human partners for their support, as appreciation boosts morale and reinforces a positive working relationship. With AI, it’s a bit different — the system doesn’t “need” gratitude in the same way.
Still, many of us say “please” and “thank you” to AI, or even apologize when things go wrong. This habit speaks to our human instinct for courtesy, and it’s harmless to keep up. Pausing to appreciate AI’s role in your workflow can help you stay mindful of its contributions and use it more intentionally. Who knows — maybe one day AI systems will be advanced enough to say “thank you” right back!
Embracing AI as a Thoughtful Partner
Treating generative AI as a partner rather than a mere tool can unlock its full potential, just as adopting the right mindset can elevate human collaborations. By applying the same principles to AI that we use with our human colleagues — setting clear expectations, respecting capabilities, and communicating effectively — we foster a productive and respectful working relationship.
Ultimately, whether it’s human or AI, the quality of the partnership often depends on the approach we bring to it. By investing in understanding and working thoughtfully with our partners, we make it easier for both human and AI collaborators to contribute meaningfully to our goals.
Nothing on this page is intended to be or should be construed or taken as accountancy, investment, tax or any other kind of advice. We recommend individuals and companies seek professional advice on their circumstances and matters.