AI is taking over the world, but for many consultants, figuring out how to make it work for them can still feel like trying to climb a mountain. That is why a recent learning session with LAMP Development consultants was so exciting! We deep-dived into how AI is used in everyday tasks, the successes and challenges people face, and what consultants are eager to learn more about regarding AI. We also explored how people envision AI will shape our lives and work in the future. This blog discusses what we learned and shares additional resources on how consultants can maximise AI.
Getting started with AI
Getting started with AI is easier than you might think and there are simple guides out there. You can follow some straight-forward steps to set yourself on the right path. First, define your goals. Consider how AI can enhance your work, whether improving data analysis, boosting content creation, or brainstorming new ideas. To level up your AI skills, check out a beginner-friendly course on AI from Microsoft covering the basics of AI.
Next, explore AI tools that best fit your needs. For example, you might find ChatGPT or Co-Pilot great for writing and brainstorming ideas. There’s an ever-expanding list of AI tools — make sure you choose one that aligns with your objectives. To get the best results, provide clear instructions to AI. The output you get is only as good as the input you give, so learning how to guide AI effectively is essential. Look at this guide to writing clear AI prompts to ensure you’re on track.
Finally, remember that AI isn’t perfect — always review and refine its outputs. AI should be used as a powerful starting point, but it’s up to you to polish the results to suit your needs. While AI can provide valuable insights, ensuring the accuracy and accountability of the final output rests with the user, who must critically evaluate and refine the information provided. Don’t forget to explore tips on refining AI-generated content.
AI for research
AI for research transforms development consultants’ work by enhancing efficiency, accuracy, and knowledge advancement. From qualitative to quantitative research, AI tools are invaluable for generating research ideas, conducting literature reviews, performing data analysis, and writing and editing. AI streamlines routine tasks and saves time, allowing researchers to focus on interpreting results and generating insights. For example, Elicit uses LLMs to search papers relevant to your topic and extract and synthesise key information. While AI revolutionises research with its efficiency and accuracy, it’s crucial to stay aware of its limitations. AI can introduce biases, misinterpret context, or oversimplify complex ideas. Researchers and consultants must validate findings, think critically, and ensure ethical oversight to keep their work trustworthy when working with AI. Transparency, human oversight, and accountability are not just buzzwords—they are essential to prevent errors, biases, and misuse. By placing human intelligence at the core of AI processes and building clear guidelines, we can foster trust and ensure these systems genuinely serve society. For additional information, please check these guidelines on the responsible use of generative AI in research or this course.
Ethics: a key pillar in research
Ethics is not just a buzzword when working with AI — it’s a foundation for creating responsible, impactful solutions. As consultants, it’s crucial to understand how to integrate ethical considerations into every stage of your work. First, educate yourself on the core aspects of AI ethics, including bias, fairness, privacy, and accountability. To get started, explore resources such as the guidelines from UNESCO or check out WHO courses.
Bias and fairness are central to AI ethics, as algorithms are only as unbiased as the data they are trained on. Ensure that your datasets are free from discrimination by exploring issues like fairness in AI. Additionally, protecting privacy is vital — familiarise yourself with data laws like GDPR to ensure ethical handling of personal information.
Finally, always ask about the social impact of your AI projects. Will they improve lives or contribute to harm, particularly for vulnerable groups? Check out resources on the environmental effects of AI and adopt ethical frameworks like WHO’s Ethics of AI for Health to guide your work. The more you understand AI ethics, the more your projects can shape a fairer, more inclusive future.
Staying ahead: the future of AI
AI will continue to reshape the consultancy landscape. Whether you want to enhance your research, streamline your processes, or tackle new challenges, AI can elevate your work. We’re committed to sharing our own experience and learning on AI and we’re keen to hear from fellow consultants. Let’s continue this conversation and explore how we can all make the most of AI in consultancy. Your feedback and ideas are invaluable to shaping the future of our field!