Artificial intelligence

AI: a combination of a tool, assistant, and colleague

February 6, 2025 - 3 minutes reading time
Article by Edwin Fennema

Artificial intelligence (AI) has quickly found its way into many aspects of our daily lives and work. From managing administration to diagnosing conditions, the possibilities of AI seem endless. But which tasks can you actually entrust to AI? In this text, we explore eighteen roles and tasks, divided into six categories.

category I: AI for repetitive tasks

  • taking minutes: AI can record meetings and automatically generate minutes. Manual note-taking is becoming a thing of the past.
  • managing administration: AI can automate routine administrative tasks. For example, sorting emails, keeping schedules, and managing documents.
  • processing data: AI systems can process data quickly and accurately. Think of sorting large amounts of information.

category II: AI as the first point of contact

  • providing directions: AI can give route instructions and help with navigation, both digitally and in the real world.
  • handling front desk or help desk tasks: AI can act as an online assistant that answers questions, supports customers, and resolves simple issues.
  • offering guidance: AI can assist people by leading them through processes and supporting them in reaching their goals.

category III: AI as a writer

  • generating texts: AI can assist in writing texts such as emails, reports, and articles. It can suggest improvements or generate entire pieces of text.
  • simplifying communication: AI can help translate languages, summarize long documents, and streamline communication for different audiences.
  • drafting decisions: AI can create legal documents and official decisions by gathering relevant information and filling in templates.

‘In many cases, AI will play a combination of these roles’

category IV: AI as a helper in the background

  • coordinating tasks: AI can coordinate work, track deadlines, and monitor project progress.
  • searching for information: AI can quickly and efficiently retrieve information and present relevant results, saving time on research.
  • building systems: AI can assist in developing complex systems, such as automated processes, advanced calculations, or predictive models.

category V: AI as a frontline helper

  • conducting analysis: AI can analyze large datasets and identify patterns or trends that may be difficult for humans to detect.
  • diagnosing conditions: In healthcare, AI can assist in diagnosing conditions by analyzing figures and images or by suggesting underlying problems.
  • writing action plans: AI can help draft action plans by collecting and structuring input from team members.

category VI: AI as a policymaker

  • developing plans: AI can propose creative solutions and strategies based on data analysis. It can also simulate scenarios to determine the best approach.
  • supporting policy decisions: AI can provide advice based on data and past experiences, helping to develop policies and conduct scenario analyses.
  • connecting interests: AI can help identify shared goals and facilitate collaboration.

As you’ve read, AI is incredibly versatile and can take on different roles depending on the context and the specific tasks it performs. It can function as a powerful tool that enhances our capabilities, an assistant that supports us in various tasks, and a digital colleague that collaborates with human coworkers. In many cases, AI will likely play a combination of these roles, making it an indispensable partner in both our personal and professional lives.

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