Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming the business landscape, and we must properly prepare ourselves to use this technology effectively and thrive in the new future of work. There is no doubt that in recent years, we have seen the many ways in which artificial intelligence tools are being experimented with to improve efficiency and achieve better results in less time. However, we also know that it can be overwhelming to determine the best way to integrate artificial intelligence into our lives. Critical thinking is essential at this time since not everything that is obtained is reliable or truthful, so if we firmly believe in what a program tells us, we could be making bad decisions.

Between our fear of the unknown and the resistance to change, it is logical that we are invaded by confusion, especially if we are unaware of what progress is making accessible. On the other hand, who can feel completely up to date in terms of technology when movements are accelerated? And at the center of vertigo, we are in the eye of the hurricane of the reconfiguration that artificial intelligence is generating.

The challenge we face is to understand the techniques to know how to approach and incorporate artificial intelligence in our own projects, to promote the appropriate use of technological advances, and to promote critical thinking. We have to promote the ability to analyze information and form an opinion based on evidence and reasoning. Because while it is true that there are great advances, it is also true that not all that glitters is gold, and that when one consults artificial intelligence programs, they may be giving us false, implicit, or totally distorted data. It is still up to the human mind to discern and not swallow all the pills that are offered to us.

The challenge cannot be ignored. Harvard University predicts that more than eighty percent of companies will have used or implemented Artificial Intelligence in some form by 2027, that is, in two years, which means the very near future. This means that it is essential for businesses to help prepare workers to use these technologies effectively and to approach these technologies with critical thinking.

However, incorporating artificial intelligence can be intimidating. But losing the fear of these advances (when well used and well evaluated) can help execute our strategies successfully. Necessarily, they must be understood. The world's leading business schools, such as Dartmouth University, designed and executed the sprint model.

Sprints are focused, collaborative sessions that take place over a compressed period of time for rapid learning and skill development. In 2022, to encourage experimentation, this format was adopted for a subset of training courses, each consisting of four and a half hours of instruction in one to five sessions and graded as pass/fail. The freedom fostered by this format was ideal for boosting the creativity and hands-on learning that were critical.

The philosophy in these courses was to help decision-making. The objective is that in each session, they face situations in which they can critically apply artificial intelligence processes:

  1. Reflective prompts increase the creative surface. We are referring to these techniques that create opportunities for human ingenuity, which remains an indispensable ingredient. Techniques that help to discover that, although the artificial intelligence tools they were using produced many ideas, the final inspiration came from a human who established a less obvious connection. If AI produces many alternatives, the human mind is the one that evaluates and chooses.

  2. The iterative integration of tools that enable engaging communications. In our day, it's critical to find compelling ways to communicate ideas. Using a combination of AI tools to bring an idea to life with engaging prose, powerful visuals, and catchy videos and audio clips is what you are looking for. Creating a good result is not difficult, as it can be left to the Artificial Intelligence, but obtaining a great result requires the work of a human mind.

  3. People are a powerful way to test ideas. Not to mention, machines can be very intelligent but also very stupid. Organizations look for different perspectives to shape informed decision-making; they need to understand the views of different stakeholders to anticipate rejection or acceptance and ensure that their speech resonates with the customer.

The best way to get comfortable with an AI tool is to play around with it, and the best way to play with it is in the context of a real problem. Perspective is the best ally to play with these programs. For example:

  1. Criticizing a concept as if we were an investor in the company.

  2. Evaluate another concept as if we were the COO who has to bring this idea to market.

  3. Value this concept as if you were a 30-year-old customer who loved the existing brand.

  4. Criticize that concept as if you were Greta Thunberg or some environmentalist.

The power of play is to do it with a purpose. Artificial intelligence is still an emerging technology, and its impact remains unclear. That said, based on the little experience that humanity has with these technologies, it is necessary to understand the role it will play in our sector and, therefore, in business training and the benefits that are obtained when it is used effectively.

An experiential activity, such as a sprint, is ideal for collective experimentation. It combines focus and discipline with space for learning through purposeful play; explore, discover, and create together freely, which leads to more significant results.