AI at work

Getting started with AI tools

What chat assistants are good at, what they get wrong and how to try them safely.

What they're good at

• First drafts of emails, summaries and plans
• Explaining a topic in simpler words
• Brainstorming options and checklists
• Reformatting: tables, bullet points, tone changes

What they get wrong

Chat assistants can state wrong things confidently, invent references and miss context. Treat output as a draft from a keen helper who needs checking.

A safe first week

1. Pick one repetitive task you already understand well.
2. Try it with an AI tool, using no personal or confidential data.
3. Check every fact and figure against a source you trust.
4. Note the time saved and the mistakes you caught.