AI is no longer a niche novelty; it has become a basic skill for workers across various industries. This shift is transforming the way professionals approach their daily tasks, enabling them to work faster, smarter, and more efficiently than ever before. From creating lifelike video avatars to streamlining presentation design, AI is revolutionizing the workplace and helping individuals advance in their careers.

According to ChatGPT, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, the number of AI users has skyrocketed, with approximately 1 billion users reported in April, up from 500 million just a few weeks earlier. Despite this exponential growth, a Pew Research Centre analysis revealed that the majority of U.S. workers have yet to fully harness the power of AI in their professional endeavors.

However, for the 79% of early adopters who have embraced AI chat platforms like ChatGPT, Gemini, or Copilot, the benefits are clear. They have reported that AI has not only helped them work faster, but it has also significantly improved the quality of their work. So, how exactly is AI enhancing work performance, and why do some still remain hesitant to adopt this technology? To delve deeper into these questions, we spoke with five AI super users who shared their insights and experiences utilizing AI in their daily work routines.

Ruth Favela, a forward-thinking AI Marketing Manager at Tomorrow.io, has found innovative ways to leverage AI to compete with larger marketing teams without increasing overhead costs. By using AI to generate high-quality customer-facing content, Favela has been able to streamline her workflow and save valuable time that would have otherwise been spent on laborious tasks. Through tools like HeyGen, an AI video creator, she has been able to produce lifelike video avatars for marketing material, cutting production time in half and freeing up resources for more impactful projects.

Ryan Baum, an independent SaaS growth consultant, has embraced AI as a means to enhance his critical thinking skills and uncover potential flaws in his ideas before they are presented to clients. By using large language models (LLMs) to challenge his assumptions and thought processes through his “Devil’s Auditor” prompt, Baum has been able to refine his ideas and make more informed decisions. This approach has not only helped him identify logical gaps and biases but has also improved his overall problem-solving abilities.

Sierra Dowd, the Founder and Principal Strategist at else&ever, has employed AI to revolutionize the way she creates on-brand presentations. By utilizing AI-generated scripts to automate the design process of Canva slide decks, Dowd has been able to drastically reduce the time spent on formatting and focus on the content and messaging of her presentations. This shift has enabled her to deliver high-quality work in a fraction of the time, allowing her to take on more projects and deliver top-notch results consistently.

Andrea Bonaiuto, the head of product marketing at ATPCO, has recognized the importance of AI in today’s fast-paced work environment. She believes that AI is no longer a luxury but a necessity for professionals looking to stay ahead in their careers. By utilizing AI coaching tools to enhance critical thinking skills and boost confidence, Bonaiuto has been able to scale coaching within her team and prepare them for various professional challenges. These AI “coaches” provide personalized guidance and support, helping individuals navigate complex situations and make informed decisions.

In conclusion, AI has become a fundamental skill for workers across industries, offering a wide range of benefits and opportunities for growth. From streamlining production processes to enhancing critical thinking and coaching capabilities, AI is transforming the way professionals work and helping them advance in their careers. As the adoption of AI continues to rise, it is clear that those who embrace this technology will be better equipped to thrive in the ever-evolving world of work.