Leadership Simplified: Doug Van Dyke

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Leadership and Artificial Intelligence

Volume: May 2023

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been making sensational headlines of late. In particular, Open AI’s ChatGPT has hit a tipping point that may impact each of our organizations. In my opinion, the latest wave of ChatGPT and AI will be transformational. Just as transformational as the Internet, perhaps even more so. At a minimum, ChatGPT immediately enhances the efficiency of computer programming and offers the ability to streamline marketing departments and their related output. What befuddles me though is that so few leaders and organizations are communicating their viewpoints on AI via internal policies and usage guidelines. Head-scratching really. So, the remainder of this newsletter offers the good and the potentially bad of ChatGPT, as well as a policy for your organization to consider.   
 
For the uninitiated, here is a description of ChatGPT:
ChatGPT, a cutting-edge language model that can revolutionize the way you interact with your customers, employees, and stakeholders. ChatGPT has been “trained” via a vast corpus of data, enabling it to generate human-like responses to a wide range of queries currently known as “prompts.” With ChatGPT, you can automate your customer support, streamline your HR processes, and even create personalized marketing campaigns. But while the potential benefits of ChatGPT are immense, it is important to be aware of the potential hazards of misusing this technology.
 
Yes, yes, ChatGPT generated about 90% of the above paragraph.  
 
The Pros & The Cons of ChatGPT
Positives:

  1. Speed and Efficiency: ChatGPT can process and respond to large volumes of data or queries at a faster pace than human agents, thus increasing efficiency and reducing response times.
  2. Cost-Effective: ChatGPT can provide 24/7 customer service, which means that you don't have to pay human agents to be available round-the-clock.
  3. Scalability: ChatGPT can handle multiple conversations simultaneously, making it easier to scale customer service and support operations.
  4. Personalization: With the right data inputs, ChatGPT can provide personalized recommendations and responses that can improve customer satisfaction and loyalty.
  5. Versatility: ChatGPT can be used for a variety of applications, from customer support to content creation, making it a versatile tool for businesses.
 
Negatives:
  1. Limited Understanding: While ChatGPT can mimic human language, it does not have the same level of understanding or empathy as a human agent, which can lead to misunderstandings or unsatisfactory responses.
  2. Biased Responses: As ChatGPT is trained on existing data, it can inherit biases and prejudices from the training data, leading to biased or offensive responses.
  3. Misuse: ChatGPT can be misused to spread misinformation or generate false content, which can damage a business's reputation or cause harm to individuals or communities.
  4. Security and Privacy Risks: ChatGPT can be vulnerable to cyber-attacks and security breaches, leading to the theft or misuse of sensitive data.
  5. Dependence: Over-reliance on ChatGPT can lead to a reduction in the quality of human interaction and customer service, leading to a decrease in customer satisfaction and loyalty.
Needless to say, it is important to weigh these positives and negatives when considering the use of ChatGPT, and to take steps to mitigate any potential risks or negative consequences.
Now, on to guidelines and a sample ChatGPT policy for leaders to consider.

NOTE: We hear at Leadership Simplified are NOT attorneys and you always want to consult your human resources and/or legal departments before putting company policies into place.

Okay, with the disclaimer out of the way, here is a policy sample on which to ponder.  
 
Generic ChatGPT Policy
  1. Employees are encouraged to ask ChatGPT questions and engage in conversation, but should not upload any information to ChatGPT that could potentially compromise their own privacy or the privacy of others
  2. Any misuse of ChatGPT, including attempts to upload or share sensitive information, may result in the employee being blocked or banned from using the service. 
  3. Employees are reminded that ChatGPT is an AI language model and may not always provide accurate or reliable responses. Employees should use their own discretion when considering ChatGPT's output or suggestions. 
  4. Use ChatGPT responsibly: ChatGPT is a powerful tool that can be used for a wide range of purposes, but it is important to use it responsibly. Do not use ChatGPT to generate false or misleading information or to spread misinformation. 
  5. Train ChatGPT carefully: ChatGPT is only as good as the data it has been trained on. Be sure to provide it with high-quality data that is relevant to the task at hand. Also, be aware that ChatGPT can sometimes generate biased or offensive content, so it is important to monitor and correct its responses. 
  6. Be transparent: If you are using ChatGPT to interact with customers or stakeholders, be transparent about the fact that they are interacting with a machine. This can help avoid confusion and build trust. 
  7. Protect company data: If you are using ChatGPT to collect or process organizational data, be sure to take appropriate security measures to protect that data. Follow best practices for data security and privacy, and be transparent about your data practices.
 
Bottom Line: An important aspect of leadership is decisiveness. Is it too early in the game to create the perfect ChatGPT policy? In my opinion, the answer is “yes.” However, the absence of a ChatGPT policy and specific guidelines (do’s & don’ts) places your organization in a precarious position. Many of you reading this newsletter do not want your team members using ChatGPT in the workplace. Guess what? They are. Not maliciously. Some of your people are just curious. Others, and I guarantee you this, are using ChatGPT in a productive way to create work product. If you haven’t chimed in with your thoughts and preferences on ChatGPT, you are behind in the game. My advice: Educate yourself, think strategically, make a decision, and craft guidelines to help your team continue to thrive.  

 
Until next time, be well.  
 
Doug Van Dyke is a leadership development expert, executive coach, strategic planner, and Certified Speaking Professional. Contact him today about exciting programs, meaningful coaching, action-oriented strategic planning and speaking at your event. .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address), www.leadershipsimplified.com, 941-776-1121.

 
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