AI empowerment: In the fast-paced world of technology and business, AI has emerged as a game-changing force, particularly for professionals juggling multiple responsibilities. For someone like me—balancing the demands of a full-time job, motherhood, and leading a non-profit association for women in AI, Web3, and Media—AI tools have become indispensable allies. These smart technologies are not just changing workplaces globally; they are opening doors to higher earnings for those equipped with AI skills and saving us a lot of time in our daily lives.

The rise of AI in the workplace

The adoption of AI in the workplace has seen a remarkable increase in recent years. According to the latest McKinsey Global Survey on AI, 72% of organisations are now using AI, a significant jump from the 50% reported in previous years. Particularly interesting is the breadth of AI applications across business functions. This widespread adoption suggests that AI is no longer confined to specialised departments but is becoming an integral part of diverse business operations.

As AI becomes more prevalent in the workplace, possessing AI skills can significantly boost our salaries. Workers with AI and data analytics skills are “particularly valuable”, commanding salaries 21% higher on average, with potential increases reaching 40%.

An AWS survey highlights that US employers are ready to offer substantial salary hikes—ranging from 35% to 43%—for AI expertise across various roles. This increase can be as high as 54% in regions like India. These figures highlight the urgent need for investment in AI education and skills development. Personally, my journey into AI has not only enhanced my productivity but also saved me a lot of time – and time, as everyone knows, is money.

Game-changing AI tools: a personal perspective

As a full-time employee, parent and non-profit leader, I have found several AI tools indispensable for managing my diverse responsibilities:

Perplexity and ChatGPT for content creation and daily queries: These AI-powered platforms have revolutionized how I approach research and content creation. Whether I am preparing a presentation or drafting a proposal for HerBizz International, these tools help me generate ideas, structure my output, and provide quick answers to complex queries. What has previously been “let me Google it ” has now become “let me ask my best friend (ChatGPT).”

Otter.ai for transcription, recording and meeting summaries: As someone who attends numerous meetings, Otter.ai has been a game-changer in my working routine. Its real-time transcription capabilities ensure I never miss important details, and its AI-generated summaries provide quick and actionable insights.

Trello with AI Integration for project management: Managing multiple projects across my professional and personal life requires efficient organization. Trello’s AI features help prioritize tasks, balance workloads and provide predictive analytics for project timelines.

Microsoft Copilot for financial statements: In managing the finances of both my household and the non-profit, Microsoft Copilot has proven invaluable. Its AI-powered assistance in Excel helps me create more accurate financial forecasts and analyze budget trends more efficiently. However, this service is subscription-based and not free to use. I used an alternative for small businesses and non-profits when we established HerBizz International. Xero.com, with AI integration, is a suitable companion for automating bank reconciliations, expense management and invoice processing. It is straightforward, cloud-based and user-friendly.

Integrating AI into daily routines

For professionals looking to leverage AI in their daily lives, here are some practical tips:

Start Small: Start with one or two AI tools that address your most pressing needs. These could be productivity tools like Trello or writing assistants like ChatGPT.

Invest in Learning: Take advantage of free online courses on AI. For instance, Amazon’s AI Ready initiative offers free AI and generative AI courses aligned with in-demand jobs. Universities and technology companies like Microsoft, IBM, and Google also offer several subscription-free courses for beginners.

Stay Informed: Keep up with the latest AI developments. Tech magazines and AI platforms can help you stay updated on AI trends and applications.

Network and Share: Visit events on innovation and emerging technologies. You might gain more insights and first-hand information from networking conversations. Share your AI experiences with colleagues and friends. This helps others and exposes you to new use cases and tools.

Experiment Across Functions: Don’t limit AI use to just one area of your life. Explore how it can help in various aspects, from work projects to personal task management. Use it for your travel itinerary and explore time-saving options like voice input (microphone icon next to the ChatGPT text box). You can have your hands free and a more natural dialogue experience with the text saved in your library for future reference.

The broader economic impact

Adopting AI tools by professionals and organisations is not just a matter of individual productivity – it has broader economic implications. PwC research shows that AI could contribute up to $15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030. This economic boost is expected to come from increased productivity, innovation in products and services and the creation of new markets.

From my personal perspective, AI presents an unprecedented opportunity to level the playing field. By automating routine tasks and providing data-driven insights, AI tools can help overcome traditional barriers in the workplace and take on more strategic roles. From AI-powered productivity tools to advanced analytics platforms, these innovations are helping to bridge the gender gap in the workplace and drive economic growth.