AI can feel overwhelming — powerful, but hard to place. The secret is simple: how you think about AI shapes how well you use it. I use three lenses to decide when and how to bring AI into play:
- AI as a Person
- AI as a Tool
- AI as a System
Each lens provides clarity. Together, they help you see where AI truly adds value — and where it doesn’t.
1. AI as a Person
Sometimes it helps to imagine AI as a type of colleague.
- Do you need a proofreader? (AI checks your work.)
- Do you need a consultant? (AI offers perspective.)
- Do you need an employee? (AI carries out a defined task.)
- Do you need an architect? (AI helps design structures and solutions.)
This lens helps you set the level of expectation and tailor your instructions accordingly.
2. AI as a Tool
Other times, AI is simply another tool in the box.
- A calculator, a spreadsheet, a wrench.
- Some tools are interchangeable, some have unique advantages.
- The right tool at the right time makes everything smoother.
- The wrong tool, even if shiny, can create problems later.
Here, the question isn’t “What can AI do?” but “What job am I actually trying to get done?”
3. AI as a System
The most powerful use is when AI becomes part of a chain.
- AI handles Step 1, a person reviews Step 2, another AI improves Step 3.
- Or: human insight feeds AI, which feeds another AI, which feeds people again.
This is where workflows emerge — the business systems layer. Instead of replacing thought, AI amplifies it by working in sequence with people and other tools.
Pitfalls & Safeguards
- Don’t outsource your thinking. Your unique perspective is irreplaceable.
- Provide context generously. The more detail you share, the better AI performs.
- Cross-check everything. AI can be useful, but not infallible.
- Pick the right “kind” of AI. Some excel at technical clarity, others at creative writing, others at data analysis.
Why This Matters
Thinking about AI through these three lenses keeps it practical and grounded. It stops you from treating AI as magic, and instead helps you integrate it where it really matters:
- Saving time.
- Cutting through complexity.
- Scaling growth with confidence.
It’s not about using AI everywhere — it’s about using it well.
👉 Core takeaway: Think of AI as a person, a tool, or a system. The clarity in how you frame it determines the clarity in how you use it.