ChatGPT is My Substitute for DIY Time Management...Sometimes

I trust her for simple requests, only because I have simple knowledge about time management issues.

By M.Bitton - Own work based on: ChatGPT Supported Countries. OpenAI Help Center. Retrieved on 25 June 2023. and an optimized version of File:BlankMap-World.svg, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=133561496

I'm a business (glorified hobby) of one, therefore I have to watch my time when I deal with all my "special interests," including weekly articles for this platform. While I don't use AI for writing (the exception includes the lists below), I enjoy what ChatGPT offers for time management issues.

For instance, I was busy the other day and I didn't want to take time to format a glossary for my gardening site. So, I copied and pasted the glossary list into ChatGPT and asked it to format it into HTML. I gave it specifics, like making the term before the colon bold, etc. Within seconds, ChatGPT spits out that list in perfect HTML. There was no way I could have completed that task myself in that amount of time.

Unfortunately, I'm not schooled in AI, so I don't know the options available to learn how to use this tool to help me even further. I asked ChatGPT where I might learn such knowledge. I'm a master of “Trial and Error” listed below, but I intend to learn more…

How to Learn Using AI for Time Management

Online Courses and Tutorials:

1. Platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and LinkedIn Learning: Offer courses on AI and time management tools. Look for courses such as "AI for Time Management" or "Productivity with AI."

2. YouTube: Free tutorials and walkthroughs on using specific AI tools and applications for time management.

   Blogs and Articles:

3. Tech Blogs: Websites like TechCrunch, Wired, and Medium often publish articles on the latest AI tools and their applications in time management.

4. Productivity Blogs: Sites like Lifehacker and Zen Habits frequently discuss new tech and AI tools for boosting productivity.

   Webinars and Workshops:

5. Tech Companies: Many AI tool providers offer webinars and live workshops. For example, tools like Trello, Asana, and Monday.com often host sessions on maximizing productivity with AI.

6. Industry Conferences: Attending tech and productivity conferences can provide hands-on learning opportunities and networking with experts.

   Books and Ebooks:

7. Books on AI and Productivity: Titles such as "AI for People and Business" by Alex Castrounis and "The Productivity Project" by Chris Bailey can offer insights and practical tips.

8. Ebooks from AI Tool Providers: Many companies provide free ebooks on how to use their AI tools effectively.

   Podcasts:

9. Tech and Productivity Podcasts: Shows like "The Productivity Show" by Asian Efficiency and "The AI Alignment Podcast" often cover how to leverage AI for better time management.

   Forums and Online Communities:

10. Reddit: Subreddits like r/productivity, r/artificial, and r/getdisciplined are great places to ask questions and share experiences.

11. Specialized Forums: Communities like Stack Exchange and Quora can provide answers to specific questions and offer advice from experienced users.

    Software Documentation and Support:

12. Official Documentation: AI tool providers often have detailed guides, FAQs, and support forums on their websites.

13. Customer Support: Utilizing customer support and help centers can provide direct assistance with learning and troubleshooting.

    Trial and Error:

14. Hands-On Practice: Experimenting with different AI tools and features can be an effective way to learn. Many AI tools offer free trials or basic versions to get started.

15. Project-Based Learning: Apply AI tools to small projects and gradually scale up as you become more comfortable with their capabilities.

    Mentorship and Networking:

16. Professional Networks: Join professional organizations or groups focused on AI and productivity. Platforms like LinkedIn can be useful for finding mentors.

17. Peer Learning: Collaborate with colleagues or friends who are knowledgeable about AI tools for time management.

    University Programs:

Continuing Education: Many universities offer continuing education courses on AI and its applications, which can include time management.

Note: Even ChatGPT admits she's not the hottest kid on the block. She offers 10 drawbacks to using her virtual assistant skills for time management:

• AI Can Not Completely Replace Human Decision-Making: While AI tools can assist in decision-making, human intuition and judgment are irreplaceable, especially in nuanced situations.

• AI Doesn't Always Save Time: Implementing and learning to use AI tools can initially take more time than expected, which is often overlooked.

• AI Is Not Always Accurate: AI systems can make errors, especially if the data they are trained on is biased or incomplete, leading to incorrect outputs.

• AI Does Not Eliminate the Need for Personal Scheduling: Despite AI's capabilities, personal input and adjustments are still necessary to tailor schedules to individual needs.

• AI May or May Not Multitask Perfectly: AI can handle multiple tasks, but it can also get overwhelmed, just like humans, leading to potential inefficiencies or errors.

• AI Sometimes Misunderstands Context and Nuance: AI lacks the ability to fully grasp contextual subtleties and may misinterpret information without human oversight.

• AI Will Not Make You Instantly More Productive: Productivity gains from AI often come over time as you learn to effectively integrate it into your workflow.

• AI Cannot Work Independently Without Any Supervision: Regular monitoring and adjustments are essential to ensure AI tools function correctly and efficiently.

• AI Tools Are Not One-Size-Fits-All: Not all AI tools will suit every individual's needs or work styles; customization is often required.

• AI Is Not Infinitely Scalable Without Issues: As demands on AI systems grow, they may require more resources and it can face scalability issues, affecting performance.

In the end, I like what Selena Deckelmann said in her article, “Wikipedia’s value in the age of generative AI”:

Could a generative AI replace Wikipedia? It could try, but it would result in a replacement that no one really wants. There’s nothing inevitable about new technology. Instead, it’s up to us all to choose what is most important. We can prioritize human understanding and contribution of knowledge back to the world – sustainably, equitably, and transparently – as a key goal of generative AI systems, not as an afterthought. This would help mitigate increasing misinformation and hallucinations from LLMs; ensure human creativity is recognized for the knowledge that’s created; and most importantly, it will ensure that LLMs and people alike can continue to rely on an up-to-date, evolving, and trustworthy information ecosystem for the long term.

I'll use ChatGPT again for time management issues, but I'll also learn more about how I can manage that time management with more efficiency (redundant statement, no doubt). But the looming question is—do I have the time?