Podcast

Episode #4 AI in the Classroom and the Workplace

September 19, 2024
2 minute read

In this episode of The Divine Spark, Sara Steever interviews Paulsen account coordinator Tessa Erdmann. Together, they explore the notion of human-first AI, discuss Tessa's experience with the AI-powered search engine Perplexity and ruminate about the integration of AI in marketing and education. Expected to earn her BA in Agricultural Communications in December 2024, Tessa will have the unique distinction of having begun college without access to AI and LLMs and graduating in a far different context. She reflects on this reality and talks with Sara about ways AI can be leveraged for enhanced productivity in the workplace.

Show Notes:

  • [00:07] Introduction and AI Philosophy

    • Sara and Tessa discuss the "divine spark" and "human-first" AI. Tessa expresses her initial hesitation about AI but explains how she now sees it as a valuable tool when used correctly. She emphasizes the importance of maintaining human connection in AI-assisted work, especially in the context of marketing and communication.

  • [02:25] Discussing Perplexity AI Tool

    • Tessa shares her experience with Perplexity AI. She highlights its ability to assist with various tasks, from competitive research to content creation. Sara and Tessa discuss the tool's strengths and potential pitfalls, including the importance of fact-checking and verifying sources.

  • [05:28] AI Challenges and Benefits

    • The conversation shifts to the potential downsides of AI tools, including the risk of perpetuating misinformation. They discuss the importance of domain expertise in vetting AI-generated content, particularly in sectors like agriculture where accurate information is crucial.

  • [08:30] AI in Education

    • Tessa reflects on her college experience with AI, noting the contrasting approaches she has observed between classroom and workplace. She contends that educating students about AI's potential and the responsible use of AI could be beneficial.

  • [10:34] AI in Practice at Paulsen

    • Sara and Tessa discuss the checks and balances used at Paulsen when working with AI tools. Tessa explains her process for an AI-assisted project, which involved using AI to create an outline and draft from a webinar transcript, followed by human editing and refinement.

  • [12:00] Learning and Adopting AI Tools

    • When learning new AI tools, Tessa advocates for hands-on experience and open-ended exploration. She shares her experience using AI for competitor research, demonstrating how AI can provide a starting point for more in-depth human analysis.