Feel like you’re drowning in low-value tasks and never have time for real work?
You’re not alone. Most professionals spend hours every week on repetitive tasks that AI could easily handle.
But you need to use AI in the right way. I cut over 10 hours of busywork from my weekly schedule thanks to AI without sacrificing quality or control. And in this guide, I’ll show you the exact strategies I use to get more done in less time.
Ready to learn how to use AI at work?
Let’s dive right in.
Who am I? I'm Demir Bentley, co-founder of Lifehack Method and author of the WSJ bestseller Winning the Week. After burning out in a high-pressure career, I reinvented my lives and created a system that’s helped 50,000+ professionals at companies like Google, Uber, and PepsiCo work less and achieve more. Learn more here.
Key takeaways
- AI can save you 10–20+ hours a week by automating repetitive tasks like emails, meeting notes, and data analysis.
- You don’t need to be tech-savvy to get results—start small with tools like ChatGPT or Fathom and build from there.
- Used strategically, AI boosts productivity without replacing your thinking—freeing you to focus on high-impact work.
Table of contents: How to use AI at work
- Why is AI a game-changer for the workplace?
- 15 ways to use AI at work
- Common mistakes to avoid when using AI at work
- How to start using AI at work (even if you’re new to it)
Why is AI a game-changer for the workplace?
You've probably heard the horror stories: “AI is coming for your job!”
Here's what's really happening…
AI automates the mundane so you can focus on the meaningful.
And if you don’t start using AI now, you’ll be left behind.
The first thing you need to know is that there are two types of AI tools:
- Generative AI creates new content from scratch – like writing that first draft when you're staring at a blank page.
- Predictive AI analyzes data to make smart suggestions and forecast what's coming next.
Both are absolute game-changers for anyone who wants to work smarter, not harder.
Here's proof: Over 75% of employees are already using AI at work – and they're 40% more productive than their colleagues who aren't.
But wait, it gets better…
These AI-powered workers also make fewer errors, make better decisions faster, and they're saving 12 hours per week by 2029.
And if you're worried about work-life balance? Research shows 91% of AI users report having a better relationship between work and life.
That said, AI isn’t a replacement for you. Use it to improve your workflows, not do all the thinking for you. AI can quickly erode your cognitive skills, as a MIT study shows.
But for those repetitive tasks that require little creativity or thinking, AI can help you save 10-20+ hours a week.
Here are more of my thoughts on how AI will change the way we work:
But how do you use AI for work?
Let’s find out!
I use AI to save time on mundane tasks so that I can spend more time on the things I really care about, like playing with my daughters
15 ways to use AI at work (with examples)
I’ve tested dozens of AI tools and strategies. And these workflow improvements are my favorite ones!
1. Draft emails and reports with AI writing assistants
Let's be honest: Between emails, proposals, and reports, your time vanishes fast.
But AI writing assistants like ChatGPT and ChatGPT Writer can help.
The old way of drafting often meant staring at a blank screen for 20 minutes, writing a mediocre first draft, and spending another 30 minutes editing.
But with AI, you can generate a solid first draft in 2 minutes, polish it to perfection in 5.
Here's my personal arsenal:
- ChatGPT for first drafts when I'm stuck
- ChatGPT Writer for quick, thoughtful responses that sound like me
Pro tip: Don't just copy-paste AI output. Use it as your starting point, then add your unique voice and expertise.
2. Summarize meetings and transcripts automatically
Raise your hand if you're stuck in 10+ hours of meetings per week…
I see you.
Tools like Fathom and Otter.ai will give you your life back by automatically recording, transcribing, and summarizing every meeting.
We use Fathom for our weekly team check-ins because it catches every detail – even in those complex discussions where three people are talking at once.
Here’s how:
The result? You can actually participate in meetings instead of frantically scribbling notes.
3. Create presentations in seconds
Need a polished presentation—yesterday? AI tools like Gamma and Tome can build beautiful, on-brand decks in seconds.
Just paste in your outline or key points, and they’ll generate a complete presentation with design, structure, and talking points—all tailored to your needs.
Perfect for:
- Client proposals that need to impress
- Team strategy decks for internal planning
- Workshops or webinars where visuals matter
Pro tip: Customize the AI-generated slides with your voice, examples, and brand tone.
4. Brainstorm campaigns or ideas faster
Stuck in brainstorming mode? Or worse… just staring at a blank page?
AI tools like ChatGPT and Notion AI are like having a creative partner on call.
I call ChatGPT my on-demand mentor because it helps me:
- Spark fresh ideas when I’m stuck
- Generate campaign angles and headlines
- Explore multiple creative directions fast
Use AI to brainstorm anything from product names and content plans to marketing campaigns.
5. Write code or debug with AI developers
Whether you’re a seasoned software developer or new to coding, GitHub Copilot or Replit Ghostwriter can act as your on-demand programming assistant.
Use them to:
- Generate code snippets based on plain English prompts
- Fix bugs without digging through Stack Overflow
- Automate repetitive coding tasks to speed up development
For example, you can use Copilot to debug software without involving developers if you need to move quickly.
Pro tip: Always test AI-generated code before deploying to avoid hidden errors.
6. Generate reports and analyze data quickly
Tired of spending hours wrangling spreadsheets?
ChatGPT plugins and Microsoft Copilot make reporting and data analysis fast even if you're not a data expert.
Here’s what they can do:
- ChatGPT: Upload datasets and get instant trends, insights, and visualizations
- Copilot in Excel: Explain complex formulas, build dashboards, and auto-generate summaries
7. Automate routine admin work
This is one of my favorite examples of how to use AI at work.
It reinforces our motto: “Unless you’re the only one who can do it, outsource it.” Although, in this case, you’re automating them.
With Zapier, you can:
- Connect tools like Gmail, Asana, and Slack to streamline your workflow
- Automate tasks, like creating to-dos from form submissions or sending reminders
- Trigger actions instantly, so you never have to manually follow up again
Example: When someone books a call with me, Zapier automatically creates a task in my project manager.
8. Transcribe and translate content instantly
Managing a global team or creating content across languages?
AI tools like Whisper AI transcribes audio from calls, podcasts, or trainings. DeepL can translate them instantly.
Together, you can be sure that everyone’s on the same page without having to hire a translator or spend hours manually retyping and editing.
9. Improve customer support with AI chatbots
Great support still needs a human touch—but that doesn’t mean you need to handle every ticket yourself.
AI-powered chatbots like Intercom Fin, Drift, and Zendesk AI can automate your customer support and even improve customer satisfaction and loyalty.
- Triage incoming tickets and route them to the right person
- Instantly respond to FAQs and common issues
- Improve response time and customer satisfaction—even outside business hours
Think of them as a 24/7 assistant who can help triage support tickets and handle common issues and FAQs.
Pro tip: Use AI for fast answers, then step in personally when empathy, nuance, or judgment is needed.
10. Speed up job applications or hiring tasks
Whether you're job hunting or hiring, the process can eat up hours. AI tools streamline the workflow on both sides of the table.
For job seekers:
- Tools like Kickresume and Rezi generate tailored, ATS-friendly resumes in minutes
- Quickly customize applications for different roles—without starting from scratch
For hiring managers:
- Platforms like Workable and Fetcher use AI to screen resumes, rank top candidates, and even automate video interviews
- Save time while improving hiring accuracy and reducing bias
Pro tip: Use AI to handle the grunt work, then focus your energy on meaningful interviews and smart decision-making.
11. Automate social media and content workflows
Tired of spending hours planning and posting content? AI can turn social media into a set-it-and-forget-it workflow.
Here’s how to streamline it:
- ChatGPT: Brainstorms content ideas, captions, and hooks in seconds
- Buffer: Schedules and posts your content automatically—plus tells you the best times to post
- Canva Magic Write: Instantly generates graphics, blog snippets, and visuals from just a few keywords
With the right system, you can batch content creation, automate distribution, and free up hours every week.
12. Manage projects
Want to stay organized without drowning in status updates? AI-powered online task management tools like Asana make it easy to streamline your workflow.
Here’s how we use it to stay focused and efficient:
- Automatically prioritize tasks based on deadlines and dependencies
- Automate repetitive actions like task assignments and reminders
- Flag bottlenecks early, so nothing slips through the cracks
We also use Asana to replace most internal meetings, keeping communication tight without filling the calendar.
This is our exact Asana workflow:
13. Personalize outreach and sales messages
Sick of sending cold emails that sound… well, cold? AI can help you craft warm, targeted messages that actually get replies.
Tools like ChatGPT Writer and AI-powered CRM assistants pull real data from:
- Past conversations
- LinkedIn profiles
- Company updates and news
The result? Outreach that feels relevant, personalized, and human—without spending 30 minutes per email.
14. Manage your to-do list and priorities with AI planner
Even with a solid to-do list, mental clutter can still sabotage your focus. That’s where AI planning tools like Asana come in.
These tools help you:
- Automatically prioritize tasks based on urgency, goals, or deadlines
- Tag and categorize work by context or project
- Timeblock your schedule around your energy levels and availability
The result? A clear, actionable plan that keeps you focused.
15. Plan your week with AI
Want to stop reacting and start leading your week with intention? AI can help you actually stick to your goals, not just write them down.
We use ChatGPT to power our Winning the Week system, which has helped thousands of professionals take back control of their time.
Here’s how we do it:
- Review the previous week: What worked? What didn’t?
- Set clear weekly goals based on outcomes, not just tasks
- Prioritize your top 3 goals and timeblock them for execution
AI makes the process faster and clearer—so you can start Monday with total focus.
Pro tip: Want to try it? Grab our free Winning the Week worksheet:
Now you know how to use AI at work, but let’s talk about what NOT to do.
Common mistakes to avoid when using AI at work
As you’re learning how to use AI at work, remember not to:
- Skip fact-checking: Even though its content sounds confident, AI makes mistakes. Always double-check your sources.
- Use AI for tasks it’s not suited for: It can’t replace human judgment or make complex decisions.
- Ignore data privacy and compliance: Avoid uploading sensitive information unless you’ve reviewed the security policies.
- Skip team alignment: Create AI guidelines for your team, including best practices and approved tools.
Now, where to start when it comes to how to use AI at work?
I’ll tell you next, so keep reading!
How to start using AI at work (even If you’re new to it)
Learning how to use AI at work doesn’t require a tech background – just a strategic approach.
Here’s how to start:
- Step 1: Identify your repetitive tasks. Figure out which tasks are most time-consuming but don’t need your unique expertise. This includes things like inbox management, meeting notes, and writing to-do lists.
- Step 2: Start small. Instead of overloading yourself by trying to use every tool at once, start with one or two that solve a pain point. For example, try ChatGPT to plan your week, or Fathom to summarize your meetings.
- Step 3: Start with low-risk tasks to build your confidence, like writing internal emails, drafting outlines, or creating SOPs.
- Step 4: Track your results. Pay attention to how much time or mental energy you’re saving and how your output improves.
- Step 5: Scale and share. Once you trust the tools and are comfortable using them, start exploring new ways to automate and build better systems. Don’t be afraid to share your wins with your team and encourage them to do the same.
Here’s one example of how I use ChatGPT to create better SOPs – a workflow that saves me hours:
What’s next?
So, that’s how to use AI at work.
With the right AI tools and a smart weekly planning system, you can reclaim your time, reduce stress, and stay focused on the work that actually matters.
Download our FREE Win the Week worksheet to start designing your most productive week ever:
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