You’re underestimating AI – here’s how to use it to supercharge your work

Imagine AI saying: “You’ve been in reactive mode all week. Consider blocking time for strategic thinking.” Or, “You’ve had limited interaction with your team. How about a quick check-in?”

This isn’t just about doing more – it’s about doing what matters. AI can boost not only productivity, but also fulfilment, sparking ideas instead of merely delivering answers. Try asking it to challenge your assumptions or suggest alternatives, such as: “What’s the opposite of this idea?” or “What would a competitor do differently?”

Partnership with AI, however, requires reflection. Before acting on its input, pause and ask: “Does this align with my values and goals?” That way, you stay in control and ensure that AI enhances your thinking instead of replacing it.

This is why the future of AI lies not only in managing tasks, but in supporting human flourishing, helping us align our work with deeper purpose. Ultimately, its greatest potential is in guiding us in more nuanced, strategic ways.

Here are some examples.

Can AI be better used to boost productivity?

CONTEXTUAL COACHING If you’ve had three back-to-back meetings, AI might prompt you to take a short break before your next one. That kind of support helps maintain energy and focus.

MEETING INTELLIGENCE AI can analyse conversations and highlight sentiment shifts. For instance, it might detect that morale dipped during a sprint review, and suggest addressing it in the next team meeting. That insight helps leaders respond with empathy.

MICROLEARNING Before a call with a client in Tokyo, AI could offer a quick primer on Japanese business etiquette. It’s timely, relevant and helps build trust.

ENERGY MAPPING AI can identify when you’re most productive – say, between 9 and 11am – and recommend scheduling deep work during that window.

VALUES ALIGNMENT If your leadership style emphasises empathy, but your recent e-mails sound overly transactional, AI can suggest tone adjustments to help you stay true to your principles.

How do we train AI to become a true “second brain”?

CONSISTENCY MATTERS Feeding AI your goals, tone and preferences helps it to understand your working style. For example, if you prefer bullet-point summaries and a conversational tone, AI should learn to default to that.

FEEDBACK IS ESSENTIAL When you say “That’s not quite right” or “Perfect”, you’re teaching it how to better support you. Over time, it becomes more intuitive, just like a colleague who knows how you think.

INTEGRATION ACROSS PLATFORMS IS KEY If AI understands your calendar, inbox and task list, it can anticipate your needs and offer proactive support. That’s when it starts to feel like a true second brain.

How can AI help us challenge biases in decision-making?

HOLD UP A MIRROR If you’re hiring and consistently favour candidates from similar backgrounds, AI can flag that pattern and suggest widening your criteria. It’s not judging – just helping you see what you might miss.

SIMULATE SCENARIOS AI can model outcomes, such as: “If you delay this product launch by two weeks, here’s how it could affect customer retention.” This helps you weigh long-term consequences more clearly.

OFFER FRESH PERSPECTIVES If you’re leaning too heavily on one strategy, AI can highlight what competitors are doing differently, acting as a trusted thought partner.

In what ways can AI strengthen connections?

ADAPT PHRASING FOR CULTURE If you’re drafting a message for a team in Spain, AI can suggest culturally appropriate wording and flag idioms that might not translate well.

NAVIGATE FEEDBACK NORMS In some cultures, direct feedback is valued; in others, it can feel confrontational. AI helps you strike the right tone with sensitivity.

PROMOTE INCLUSIVE LANGUAGE If your message leans toward gendered or hierarchical phrasing, AI can suggest alternatives that foster respect and connection.

Add these to your tool kit

• For contextual coaching: Hedy AI – real-time prompts during meetings to sustain focus and energy.
• For meeting intelligence: Meetgeek, Fireflies.ai, Otter.ai – AI analysis of meeting sentiment and conversation highlights.
• Microlearning: Nudge Coach, Quenza – short learning content tied to client context or upcoming call.
• Energy mapping: Upcoach – schedule prioritisation to support productivity and time awarenes.
• Values alignment: AI writing assistant embedded in enterprise editions of Microsoft Copilot or Google Gemini, along with employee experience platforms such as Unily, Simpplr, iTacit or Workvivo – suggested tone adjustments for aligned communication style.

Nancy Goebel is CEO of Digital Workplace Group, a consultancy dedicated to helping organisations build successful digital workplaces.