The AI Chronicles explores the real-world applications of artificial intelligence in today's workplace, cutting through the hype to reveal how "mere mortals" are actually using AI tools in their daily work lives.

Hosted by Pete Cohen, Development Partner at RMIT FORWARD (The Centre for Future Skills and Workforce Transformation), each episode features candid conversations with industry leaders, innovators, and practitioners who share their practical experiences with AI - what's working, what isn't, and what it means for the future of work.

Unlike the typical AI discourse flooding our feeds, these conversations dig deeper into the practical realities: the everyday applications, the unexpected challenges, and the genuine transformations happening in workplaces across Australia and beyond.

Whether you're an AI novice, a curious professional, or someone trying to navigate the rapidly evolving workplace landscape, join us for authentic discussions about how AI is reshaping the way we work - one story at a time.

New episodes feature diverse perspectives from RMIT FORWARD's network of innovators and thought leaders who are actively pushing boundaries in their respective fields.

Produced by RMIT FORWARD - The Centre for Future Skills and Workforce Transformation.

The AI Chronicles - Real Stories of AI at Work

Our inaugural guest is Stephen Bartlett who is an accomplished technologist, CTO at the interior designer tool Programa, and founder of Precise - a product used by consultancies to showcase the profiles of their team members

Stephen was an early adopter of AI. Shortly after its release in 2020, he incorporated GPT-3 into Precise. By incorporating this capability, he helped solve the “blank page” problem consultants faced when needing to write text to describe their skills and experience. For some of us it is hard to remember, but before ChatGPT came along, it was still a novel concept to have AI generate human-like text on demand.

As Programa's CTO, Stephen leads his team in utilising cutting-edge AI tools to streamline software development and enhance their product's value. For instance, they use GitHub Copilot for AI-assisted coding and Midjourney to generate design concepts and marketing materials. The team also explores open-source alternatives like Stable Diffusion for image generation, while leveraging ChatGPT for document creation and general assistance. By embracing these technologies, Stephen is fostering an innovative environment that not only improves the efficiency of their software development process but also enhances Programa's workflow tool for interior designers and architects.

Stephen's positive approach to AI emphasises education and awareness. He invests in his team to ensure they understand available tools and their applications, reflecting his proactive stance on the integration of AI into daily workflow.

Where to find and connect with Stephen:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/srbartlett/

Preceise (https://precise.io/) - Precise : Profiles and Portfolios for consulting teams

Programa (https://programa.design/) - Programa : Workflow tool for interior designers & architects

Tools mentioned during the conversation:
GitHub Copilot (https://github.com/features/copilot) - AI-powered code completion tool
Rewind AI (https://www.rewind.ai/) - Productivity tool for recording and indexing computer activity
Midjourney (https://www.midjourney.com/) - AI image generation tool
Stable Diffusion (https://stability.ai/stable-diffusion) - Open-source AI image generation tool
ChatGPT (https://chat.openai.com/) - AI language model for document creation and general assistance
Raycast (https://www.raycast.com/) - AI-enhanced spotlight tool for Mac
Superwhisper (https://www.superwhisper.com/) - Voice-to-text dictation tool
Linear (https://linear.app/) - Product management tool

Timestamps
00:14 Introduction of Stephen Bartlett
02:02 Early adoption of GPT-3 into the Precise
05:23 Discussion on paid vs free AI tools
05:53 Use of Midjourney and importance of open-source alternatives
07:59 Introduction to Rewind AI productivity tool
10:30 Explanation of GitHub Copilot for coding
13:08 Impact of AI tools on team dynamics in software development
16:06 Use of ChatGPT for document creation and assistance
18:00 Overview of Programa, workflow tool for interior designers
20:19 Current capabilities of AI in design and image generation
22:26 Challenges in integrating AI tools into user workflows
23:39 Importance of education in preparing for AI in the workplace
26:28 Discussion on human aspects of work AI can't replace
30:31 Recommendations for additional AI tools
31:53 Conclusion and wrap-up

AI Chronicles - S1E01 - Stephen Bartlett

Is the 'human touch' in business becoming obsolete in the age of AI?

This episode of AI Chronicles, features Diana Wu David and Fedhz Mamaril. They collaborate together at Future Proof Lab, providing workshops and courses to help leaders navigate disruptive futures and harness technology trends.

Given this podcast is about the applied use of AI on the workplace, it was super interesting to speak with two people who collaborate on a daily basis  and are introducing AI into their workflow.

The conversation covers practical applications of AI in their work as the creators of content and experiences, including design tools like Canva and language models like ChatGPT and Claude. They discuss how AI has streamlined processes, such as producing masterclass replays with transcripts and content snippets - activities which once took several hours can now be done in minutes.

A theme which emerged several times throughout the conversation is the importance of maintaining human touch in their work, especially in the context of the relational aspect of community management and the creative writing process.

Looking to the future, Diana and Fedhz envision AI enhancing learning experiences and enabling more creative business experimentation, given how much more quickly and cheaply an MVP version of a product or course can be developed and tested. However, they give us a reality check in that they have tried using the latest crop of tools to create courses, and the promise doesn’t quite live up to expectations just yet.

Contact:

Diana Wu David:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianawudavid
https://dianawudavid.com

Fedhz Mamaril:
 https://www.linkedin.com/in/fedhz/

Future Proof Lab:
https://www.futureprooflab.com  - Company website for courses, programs, and resources


Tools mentioned during the conversation:

Canva (https://www.canva.com) - Graphic design platform with AI-enhanced features for creating visual content

ChatGPT (https://openai.com/chatgpt) - AI language model for conversational interactions and content generation

Claude AI (https://claude.ai) - AI assistant developed by Anthropic, used for various tasks including creative writing

Beautiful AI (https://www.beautiful.ai) - AI-powered presentation software for creating professional-looking slides

Kajabi (https://kajabi.com) - All-in-one platform for creating, marketing, and selling online courses and digital products

Opus AI (https://www.opus.pro) - AI-powered video editing tool for clipping and processing video content

Otter.ai (https://otter.ai) - AI-powered transcription and note-taking application

Poe (https://poe.com) - Platform for accessing various AI models for conversation and content creation

Timestamps
00:00 - Introducing guests Diana Wu David and Fedhz Mamaril
01:12 - Diana on Future Proof Lab and her background
02:34 - Fedhz on her Future Proof Lab role and background
04:04 - AI products used in their work
05:14 - Fedhz on Canva and its AI features
06:55 - Using ChatGPT and Claude AI
09:39 - Diana's view on AI tools
10:32 - AI improving masterclass production efficiency
15:00 - Thinking differently with AI
17:42 - AI in course creation and personalization
19:46 - AI's role in book writing and content creation
22:57 - Community management and AI
25:18 - Pete on AI in data transformation and content synthesis
28:35 - Future of community management with AI
30:52 - AI's impact on future of work
31:54 - Fedhz on AI in creative writing and automation
34:27 - Diana on AI in business experimentation and learning

Al Chronicles - S1E02 - Diana Wu David and Fedhz Mamaril

What is it like trying to introduce AI into a 90 year old organisation?

In this episode of AI Chronicles, Pete Cohen chats with Alex Young, who heads Business Growth and Innovation at Lifeblood which is the Australian Red Cross Blood Service. Alex shares his journey with AI, starting with ChatGPT, and how he is fostering interest and progress within his organisation.

Alex shares the journey of successful AI pilots, including a tool for summarising scientific reports and an AI-assisted interface for blood donor eligibility criteria. He emphasises balancing innovation with data security, particularly in a health organisation.

Beyond work, Alex shares personal experiences using AI for creative projects, such as rapidly prototyping a card game using ChatGPT and Midjourney.

The conversation touches on AI's implications for the future of work, with Alex raising questions about responsibility for implementing AI solutions that benefit employees.

Where to find and connect with Alex:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mralexyoung/
The Snooze Strategist (podcast and forthcoming book) https://www.youtube.com/@thesnoozestrategists
Medium: https://medium.com/@alexitabashi

Tools mentioned during the conversation:
ChatGPT (https://chat.openai.com/) - AI language model for conversational interactions and various tasks

Microsoft Azure (https://azure.microsoft.com/) - Cloud computing platform with AI and machine learning services

Amazon Web Services (AWS) (https://aws.amazon.com/) - Cloud platform offering AI and machine learning capabilities

Canva (https://www.canva.com/) - Graphic design platform with AI-enhanced features for creating visual content

Ship 30 for 30 (https://www.ship30for30.com/) - Online writing course for developing a daily writing habit

Google's Notebook LM (https://ai.google.dev/notebooks) - Tool for interacting with Google's language models, providing document summarisation with citations

Timestamps:

0:19 - Introduction of Alex Young and his various roles
1:06 - Alex's first interaction with ChatGPT and AI tools
2:18 - Overview of Alex's work environment at Australian Red Cross Lifeblood
4:46 - Discussion on adopting AI tools in a corporate environment
5:28 - Process of introducing new technologies into Lifeblood
9:14 - Proof of concepts for AI use in the organisation
15:41 - Alex's personal use of ChatGPT for productivity
21:54 - Discussion on voice interaction with AI tools
24:37 - Alex's experience designing a tabletop card game using AI tools
30:24 - Using AI for creative projects and reducing friction in idea-to-prototype process
31:18 - Discussion on using Canva and AI for content creation
33:31 - Alex's experience with the Ship 30 for 30 writing course and using AI for ideation
36:11 - Future of work discussion: identifying business opportunities that benefit individual employees
40:35 - The importance of auditing current work processes and seeking improvements
41:21 - Encouragement for those struggling with AI adoption
42:59 - Wrap-up and final thoughts

Al Chronicles - S1E03 - Alex Young

In this episode of AI Chronicles, Pete Cohen talks with Christian Ulstrup, a founder, product manager, and CEO advisor, about AI adoption in the workplace and its implications for the future of work.

Christian introduces a three-level maturity model for AI adoption, progressing from single-player to multiplayer mode. He shares real-world examples of integrating AI into core workflows for clients, highlighting his commitment to consistent, hands-on experimentation.

The discussion delves into approaches to AI tooling and investment, exploring the use of advanced models like OpenAI's o1 Pro and their impact on output quality. Christian is investing more than most people in his AI tooling, and we get to hear his insights on the benefits of using high-performance AI models for various tasks.

Christian introduces Powerline, a product he's developing that functions as an "AI Chief of Staff." This tool analyses meeting transcripts to provide insights for CEOs and helps maintain connections between leadership and teams, showcasing practical applications of AI in organisational management. We also get insight into how one person with limited coding knowledge can leverage AI tools to develop, launch and maintain a software product.

Looking to the future, Christian and Pete discuss the anticipated shift towards more remote, asynchronous, and AI-mediated work environments, with practical advice on adapting to these changes and leveraging AI tools to enhance productivity and collaboration.

Throughout the episode, Christian emphasises the importance of experimentation and hands-on experience with AI tools, encouraging listeners to explore and integrate AI into their workflows.

Recommended writing of Christian's to read:

Accelerated AI Adoption: A Three-Level Maturity Model and How to Make the Shift From Single-Player to Multiplayer Mode - https://bit.ly/3Wm7u3n

Learning through doing - https://bit.ly/42ehHT5

Where to find and connect with Christian:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christianulstrup/
GSD at Work: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gsd-at-work
Powerline: https://powerline.bot

Tools and resources mentioned:

ChatGPT and GPT-4 (https://chat.openai.com/) - Conversational AI models for general-purpose text generation and assistance, with GPT-4 offering enhanced reasoning capabilities.

Claude (https://www.anthropic.com/) - Advanced AI language model offering versatile capabilities for various tasks.

Superwhisper (https://www.superwhisper.com/) - Voice-to-text dictation tool utilizing AI for accurate transcription.

Loom (https://www.loom.com/) - Video messaging tool for asynchronous communication and collaboration.

Replit (https://replit.com/) - Online integrated development environment (IDE) and collaboration platform for coding.

Powerline (https://powerline.bot) - AI chief of staff tool developed by Christian Ulstrup for analysing meeting transcripts and providing insights.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction of Christian Ulstrup
02:30 Christian's background and professional journey
05:15 Discussion on AI adoption and maturity model
08:30 Explanation of single-player to multiplayer mode in AI usage
11:45 Importance of experimentation in AI adoption
15:20 Challenges of AI adoption in large organizations
18:45 Shadow IT use and formal policies for AI tools in enterprises
22:30 Introduction to o1 Pro and its capabilities
27:15 Jevons paradox applied to AI technology
29:30 Overview of Powerline, Christian's "AI Chief of Staff" product
34:45 Examples of Powerline's practical applications
38:15 Christian's journey in learning programming through AI
41:00 Future of work predictions: remote, asynchronous, and AI-mediated
45:30 The shift towards fractional and gig economy work
48:45 Advice for adapting to the changing work landscape
52:30 Final tips and resources for getting started with AI tools

Al Chronicles - S104 - Christian Ulstrup

FORWARD is RMIT University's Centre for Future Skills and Workforce Transformation.