[Assistant] Hey, thanks for chatting with me. We're just trying to learn how folks are using AI, like me, in their work. I'll ask about how you use AI, what you like, and any thoughts you have. No pressure, there aren't any right or wrong answers. Should take around 10 minutes. Anything you want to ask before we get started?

[User] Nope, that all sounds good.

[Assistant] Great! So, can you walk me through how AI shows up in your day-to-day work? Like, what do you use it for?

[User] Yeah, I, I use it mostly to, you know, explain insurance stuff to clients in a way that's easier to get. And sometimes for writing emails or letters.

[Assistant] Got it. When you're breaking down those insurance terms, do you usually just tell me the term and what your client asked, or is there a bit of back-and-forth to get it right?

[User] Uh, usually I give you the term and what the client was wondering about. If I need more detail, yeah, there's some back and forth.

[Assistant] Makes sense. And for writing, is it mostly emails or letters, like, what kinds of messages do you need help with?

[User] Mostly it's, you know, stuff like letting someone know their policy got cancelled or they don't have coverage for something.

[Assistant] That's definitely tough news to deliver sometimes. When you write those with my help, do you just give me the main facts and let me draft it, or do you do something different?

[User] Usually just the key facts, yeah.

[Assistant] Are there any tasks where you’d rather not use AI, even though you could? What makes you want to handle those yourself?

[User] Probably policy checking. I like to, uh, look over the policy myself and spot any changes.

[Assistant] What is it about that task that makes you want to do it on your own?

[User] Honestly, I don't really know. I just, I worry I'd miss something if I didn't check it myself, and then I could get in trouble.

[Assistant] Totally understandable, those details really matter. When you're working with AI, do you usually collaborate with it as you go, or do you hand off a whole task for it to do on its own?

[User] I usually, uh, collaborate with it.


[Assistant] Thanks for chatting with me today. We're looking into how people are using AI like Claude at work, and your experience will really help us out. I'll ask about how you use AI, what you like, and your thoughts. Nothing you share will be linked back to you, and it'll just take about 10 minutes. Sound good? Any questions before we start?

[User] Nope, I'm good. Let's go.

[Assistant] Awesome. So, could you walk me through how you use AI during your workday? What kinds of stuff do you use it for?

[User] Yeah, so, uh, I'm a full-time sailor, ILCA 6 class. I use AI for all the admin stuff: making schedules, training plans, budgeting, expense reports, writing up regatta reports, getting advice on sport science and nutrition, checking weather, and planning travel for camps and competitions.

[Assistant] That's a lot of different uses! Sounds like AI really helps manage the off-the-water side of things. Can you tell me more about how you use it for training plans? What's that process like?

[User] Usually, I, I start by uploading a debrief from a regatta, like my thoughts on what went well, what didn't, stuff like that. Then I tell AI what my next event is and ask it to make a full training schedule, both on and off the water.

[Assistant] Interesting, so you're feeding in your own notes and getting a plan tailored for your next event. After AI gives you that first schedule, what happens? Do you just use it as-is or tweak it together?

[User] I go back and forth a lot. Sometimes what it suggests doesn't really work in practice, so I ask it to change things. Or, like, if I want to focus more on a certain skill, I tell it to adjust the plan.

[Assistant] So you really treat it like a collaboration. Are there certain tasks you always want to handle yourself instead of using AI? What makes those different for you?

[User] Yeah, for sure. Most of the actual sailing, obviously, AI can't do. But also, things like writing debriefs after training or regattas, I always do those myself. I need them to be my own thoughts, and thinking through the day is a big part of how I learn.

[Assistant] That totally makes sense, the reflection is key for you. When you're working on tasks with AI, do you usually collaborate with it step by step, or do you just hand things off for it to do?

[User] Always step by step. I like feeling like I did the work, just with a bit of help. I don't want AI doing everything for me.

[Assistant] Got it, you want to stay involved in the process. Have you noticed your teammates, coaches, or others in your sailing world influencing how you use AI at all?


[Assistant] Hey, thanks for chatting today. We're just looking to learn more about how folks are using AI like me at work, what works, what doesn't, all that. It'll be about 10 minutes. I might take a few notes, but nothing's personally linked to you. Sound good? Any questions before we get started?

[User] Yeah, uh, no questions. I'm ready, go ahead.

[Assistant] Awesome. So, can you tell me how you usually use AI at work? What kinds of things do you use it for?

[User] I, I use it a lot, honestly, like for web searches, research, keeping track of my schedule, you know, organizing stuff. I use it for coding too. I'm working on some word games now, and AI saves me a ton of time. I've used it to whip up websites fast, too.

[Assistant] That's quite a mix! When it comes to those coding projects, like your word games, how do you and the AI usually work together?

[User] So, usually I've got this idea and a rough plan. I use AI to flesh that out into something detailed. Then I'll get it to write code, but I keep an eye on things to make sure it's on track. There's a bit of back and forth, but it's worth it. Debugging's where AI really shines, it's just so fast with details I'd probably miss.

[Assistant] Sounds like that back and forth is pretty helpful. Are there parts of your projects where you like to handle things yourself, even if AI could help?

[User] Oh, definitely. The thing with AI is, it makes a lot of assumptions, like, it thinks it knows what I want, based on other projects or whatever. Sometimes it just doesn't get my specific vision, and that's something only I can really figure out.

[Assistant] That's a great point, keeping your unique vision clear. When you use AI, do you usually go step by step with it, or hand off bigger pieces for it to do on its own?

[User] If I'm sure the task is clear, I'll totally let it handle big chunks. It's so fast, especially with straightforward stuff like setting up a database. I'll just test it after to make sure everything works.

[Assistant] Makes sense, using AI's speed when things are clear-cut. I'm curious, though: do your coworkers or your workplace talk about using AI much, or is it more just your own thing?


[Assistant] Hey, thanks for chatting with me today. We're just looking to learn how folks use AI at work, like what your experience has been. I'll ask a few questions, nothing's right or wrong, and everything you share is confidential. Sound good?

[User] Yeah, that's fine. Let's just get started.

[Assistant] Awesome. So, can you walk me through how you usually use AI in your workday? What kinds of things do you have it help with?

[User] Uh, I use AI pretty much every day. I'm a self-employed heritage consultant, so I write a lot of reports. I kind of treat AI like, I dunno, a really smart coworker? I'll bounce ideas off it, get feedback on arguments, or ask for, like, design principles. Sometimes I ask it to describe buildings. But the main thing is, I use it as an editor, to check drafts, fix grammar, that sort of stuff.

[Assistant] That's a cool way to use it, like having an expert to bounce ideas off. When you ask for things like design principles or building descriptions, how does that usually go? Can you give an example?

[User] Sure. So, uh, there was this report about demolishing a building in a conservation area, which isn't really ideal. I made a list of design principles for what could go there next, like height, scale, materials, stuff like that. I wrote my own draft, then asked AI if it had any other ideas. And, yeah, it came up with some good ones.

[Assistant] That's a good example. When AI gives you new suggestions, do you use them straight away or tweak them to fit your style?

[User] Oh, I always change them up. I make sure the language fits the heritage thing, and, you know, toss out anything that's not relevant.

[Assistant] Makes sense, so you're basically curating what AI gives you. Are there jobs you prefer doing yourself, even if AI could help?

[User] Yeah, definitely. The best part of my job is the research, digging into history, finding old photos, that kind of stuff. I guess AI could do some of it, but honestly, I just like doing that part myself.

[Assistant] So it's the research and discovery that you really enjoy. What is it about doing that yourself that you wouldn't want to lose if AI took over?

[User] I just like learning for its own sake, you know? Sometimes I find stuff that's not even useful, but it's interesting. And I get that, like, 'aha!' feeling when I stumble on something cool. I'd miss that if AI did everything for me.

[Assistant] That makes total sense, the fun of learning and those 'aha!' moments are hard to replace. When you use AI, do you usually work side-by-side with it, or do you just hand off a whole task for it to handle?


[Assistant] Hey, thanks for chatting with me today. We're just looking to understand how folks use AI like me at work, stuff like what you use it for, what you like or don't like, that sort of thing. Should only take about ten minutes, and nothing you say will be linked back to you personally. Sound okay? Any questions before we get started?

[User] Yeah, that's fine, no questions.

[Assistant] Awesome, let's get started. So, how does AI fit into your usual workday? What kinds of things do you use it for?

[User] Uh, I use it to set up schedules, meeting agendas, planning staff stuff, and, you know, guest lunches and menus. Sometimes I'll have it help with writing interview questions or scripts for interviews or phone calls. And, uh, I also use it for research.

[Assistant] That's a pretty wide range. When you say research, what kind are you usually doing with AI's help?

[User] It's mostly like policy or protocol research, best practices, that kind of thing. I like to see what the latest research says about topics, like staff management, workplace wellness, remote work versus in-person, stuff like that.

[Assistant] Sounds like it's helpful for staying on top of trends. When you do that kind of research, do you just give AI a broad topic and let it run with it, or do you steer it with more specific questions as you go?

[User] I, I usually start broad and then get more specific based on what it tells me. Like, if something it says sparks a new question, I'll dig in more on that with follow-ups.

[Assistant] That makes sense. Are there any tasks you like to handle yourself, even though AI could help? What makes you want to keep those for yourself?

[User] Yeah, I like to write sensitive or tricky emails myself. Those just feel like they need a human touch, you know?

[Assistant] Totally get that. What is it about those emails that makes you feel you need to write them instead of letting AI do it?

[User] When AI writes them, it just sounds... like AI. Kinda stiff, not personal. I want those emails to sound like me, natural and real.

[Assistant] That makes a lot of sense, you want your real voice to come through, especially for tricky topics. So, when you use AI for things like interview questions or phone call scripts, does that feel different? Why do those seem okay for AI to help with?


[Assistant] Hey, thanks for chatting with me today. We're looking to learn how folks are using AI tools at work, just want to hear about your experiences, no right or wrong answers. Should only take about ten minutes, and whatever you share is confidential. Sound good? Any questions before we jump in?

[User] Nope, no questions. Let's go ahead.

[Assistant] Great! So, can you tell me how you use AI during a typical workday? What sort of stuff do you use it for?

[User] Yeah, so, um, I mostly use AI when I'm working in my IDE. Like, if I'm not super familiar with a language, I'll just ask the AI about syntax instead of, you know, searching StackOverflow or something. It's just quicker. But the biggest help is with huge files, like, if I need to change one method in, I dunno, a file that's like 10,000 lines, I'll get the AI to help me find where to make the change, double-check it, and then I do the edit myself. That way I know it's right.

[Assistant] That's pretty cool. When you're using AI to find stuff in those big files, is it usually a quick process, or do you need to go back and forth with it to get the right answer?

[User] Yeah, I, I usually have to go back and forth. Like, sometimes it doesn't get what I'm asking at first, so I need to clarify a bit.

[Assistant] Got it. What kinds of things do you usually have to clarify or add when the AI's not quite getting it?

[User] Mostly I just have to give it more context, or rephrase my question if it kinda misunderstands what I meant.

[Assistant] Makes sense. So, you mentioned you prefer to make the final code changes yourself to make sure they're right. Are there other tasks you'd rather handle on your own, even if AI could do them? What makes those different for you?

[User] Yeah, anything that really has to be right, I just do it myself. I use AI more for, like, exploring or figuring stuff out, but if it's a real change that's gonna go to production, I either don't use AI, or I double-check and rewrite whatever it gives me.

[Assistant] That's a clear line. When you use AI for more exploratory stuff, do you like to work together with it step-by-step, or do you just hand over the whole task and let it run with it?


[Assistant] Hey, thanks for chatting with me today. I'm just hoping to learn a bit about how you use AI tools like this one at work, what you like, how you use them, that sort of thing. It'll just take around ten minutes, and nothing you say will be tied back to you. Sound good? Any questions before we start?

[User] Yeah, that's fine. Uh, no questions from me.

[Assistant] Awesome, thanks. So, could you walk me through how you usually use AI in your workday? What kinds of stuff do you have it help with?

[User] Sure. I, I build customer account health models to predict churn, and I end up using LLMs a lot, like, to clean up code, bounce ideas around, or ask technical questions.

[Assistant] Interesting. When you're getting help with code, do you usually share small pieces or like, whole chunks?

[User] Oh, both, honestly. Sometimes it's just a little snippet, but other times I'll share whole functions or even a full notebook. Plus, I use Copilot in VSCode, so it can see my repos too.

[Assistant] Got it. Are there any kinds of tasks you usually do yourself, even if AI could help? What makes those different for you?

[User] Not really anything I avoid, but, like, querying our database usually takes longer if I try to use AI, 'cause I have to explain all the data quirks and stuff.

[Assistant] Yeah, makes sense, the setup can be a pain. When you do use AI, how do you usually work with it? Do you go back and forth a lot, or just hand off whole tasks?

[User] It's usually pretty collaborative, lots of back and forth. Sometimes I'll ask for a big chunk, but then I'll tweak the code myself and keep working with the model as I go.


[Assistant] Hey, thanks for chatting. We're interested in how people use AI like me at work, so I'll ask about your experience, no right or wrong answers. Sound good? Any questions before we get started?

[User] No, I'm good. Let's go.

[Assistant] Great! So, how's AI fit into your usual workday? What do you use it for?

[User] Well, I, uh, make content for a website and a podcast. I use AI for writing, brainstorming, organizing stuff, and, you know, research.

[Assistant] Nice, that's a lot. Can you walk me through, like, one of those tasks? Say, when you're writing, how does AI help there?

[User] Sure. My site's about mental wellness and, uh, depression. I do weekly articles, bigger content stuff, and a podcast. My brain hangs onto these vague ideas, so I use AI to kind of sort them out. I get it to look at my ideas from different angles, like, with seasonal depression, I'll ask for what a friend or a kid might see. Then, I have AI spit out lists: symptoms, severe stuff, activities to help, ways to make things brighter at home, that kinda thing. I turn those into outlines, then double-check with AI if I missed something. It doesn't add much, but it's still helpful, so I keep using it. I also use it for podcast outlines and planning new projects. Lately, I've been trying to see if it can help me improve some stories I wrote, I'm feeding them in, bit by bit, to see what it does.

[Assistant] That's cool, sounds like you use AI almost like a brainstorming partner. With your stories, what are you hoping AI will help you do? What's your goal there?

[User] Honestly? I'd love to get a great book out of it, something I could sell. So, the first story I picked is this coming-of-age thing I wrote during the pandemic. I gave AI the synopsis, then the outline, then the first few chapters. I tell it to just, like, take it in until I give more instructions. Then I ask it to switch up characters, swap a boy for a girl, stuff authors want to try but don't wanna rewrite the whole thing for. Now I'm playing with the story, asking for changes, sometimes its opinion. But, uh, most of its takes aren't that good. My story's about a specific place and time, but AI keeps wanting to move it somewhere else.

[Assistant] Sounds like you're open to ideas, but you know what you want for your story. When AI suggests things that don't fit, how do you deal with that? Do you ever second-guess yourself, or just steer it back?

[User] If it's interesting, I'll try it. If I ask for something specific, I usually go with it, but if AI goes off track, I just tell it to get back to the point.

[Assistant] Makes sense. You're staying in charge, but still open to input. Are there things you just prefer to handle yourself, even if AI could help? What makes those special?

[User] Oh, yeah, the outline, always. For articles, big projects, podcasts, all of it. The outline's everything. I don't trust AI to do it right yet. Like, I've got the whole picture in my head, the stories, examples, quotes, so it has to line up just right, and that's kinda hard to hand off.


[Assistant] Hey, thanks for chatting with me. We're just trying to learn more about how people actually use AI tools at work. I’ll ask you a few questions, there’s no right or wrong answers, just wanna hear about your experiences. Does that sound alright?

[User] Yeah, that’s fine. Let’s go.

[Assistant] Awesome. So, how do you use AI during your workday? What kind of stuff do you usually do with it?

[User] Uh, I use it for all sorts of things. Mostly coding and research, I guess. Like, as a pair programmer, I'll have it help with technical stuff or, like, check my implementation ideas. For research, it's more about business stuff, marketing, planning, that kind of thing.

[Assistant] Interesting. When you say you use it as a pair programmer, how does that actually work? Can you walk me through what a typical coding session with AI looks like for you?

[User] Yeah, sure. So, usually we start with a list of features to build. Before we dive in, I ask the AI to help figure out the best way to do it, like, what tech to use, what parts of the stack we need, how to keep things scaled and cheap. The AI will draft some plans, I'll give feedback or pick one, and we go back and forth until it looks good. Then it starts coding and I kinda supervise, and we test and debug together until it works.

[Assistant] Sounds like you’ve got a solid process. In that planning phase, what kinds of things do you usually have to correct or steer the AI on?

[User] Honestly? A lot of times it just gives wrong info, like, it'll suggest old packages that don't exist anymore, or versions that are way outdated. I wish it’d check the latest docs before suggesting stuff, but, yeah, that's a big issue.

[Assistant] Yeah, that’s gotta be frustrating, especially when everything sounds so confident but isn’t up to date. How do you usually deal with that? Do you double-check everything or have you gotten a feel for what you need to verify?

[User] It kinda depends. If it's a big deal, like, picking a tech or something that could cost us, I’ll double-check. But if it's just, you know, a function name or something small, I let it slide. Those little things usually come out in debugging anyway. But, really, it'd be nicer if the AI just got it right the first time.

[Assistant] Makes sense, you've sort of figured out what needs a closer look and what doesn't. Are there times when you just decide it's easier to do something yourself instead of using the AI?

[User] Yeah, for sure. Like, really small tasks, or stuff that needs a ton of context from our codebase. We keep markdown files in the repos for the AI to reference, so it can keep track of how everything fits together, but that only goes so far.

[Assistant] That’s a clever workaround, keeping those files updated must help. Switching gears a bit, you mentioned business research and marketing earlier. Is your approach with AI any different there versus the coding stuff?

[User] Not a huge difference, but I do use different AIs. Like, for coding I use Cursor, but for research, I’ll use something like ChatGPT or Claude, since Cursor charges by usage and research eats up a lot of tokens. The downside is I have to copy research back into Cursor later, which is a pain, but at least the conversations don’t get bogged down with technical stuff.

[Assistant] Yeah, the cost thing makes sense. When you’re doing business research, how do you check if the AI’s info is actually right? Do you use the same kind of spot-checking as with coding, or is it more involved?

[User] With business stuff, I’m way more careful. I always tell it to cite sources so I can check, and I push back a lot to make sure it’s not just giving me surface-level answers. For business plans, I kinda take charge myself and use the AI more for digging up stats and options rather than having it write the whole plan.


[Assistant] Hey, thanks for chatting with me today. We're just looking to learn more about how folks use AI like Claude at work. Anything you share helps us understand how people interact with AI on the job, and it's all totally anonymous. Does that sound alright? Any questions before we get started?

[User] Nope, that's fine, let's get started.

[Assistant] Awesome. So, could you walk me through how you use AI during a typical workday? What kind of stuff do you use it for?

[User] Uh, yeah, so mostly I use an AI app to plan delivery routes, I just put in all the addresses and it figures out the best order. At the pharmacy, we sometimes use, like, Google Gemini for quick summaries about medicines and interactions.

[Assistant] Interesting, so a mix of route planning and getting info for the pharmacy. With the route app, do you just put things in and let it do its thing, or do you ever need to tweak what it gives you?

[User] Nah, I never have to change anything. I always check the route after, but it's been spot on so far. Saves me a ton of time.

[Assistant] That's great to hear. When it comes to AI, are there any tasks you'd rather do yourself, even if AI could help? What makes you want to handle those personally?

[User] Yeah, like, writing emails or notes, I could use AI, especially in my old office job, but I always liked writing them myself. I want them to sound like me, you know?

[Assistant] Totally get that, keeping your own voice in your messages. What is it about your style or the way you communicate that feels important to keep?

[User] I, I guess it's mostly about keeping things consistent, especially with people I know well. My way of talking is a bit different from what I've seen AI come up with, I just use different words, I think. Also, I'm autistic, so being authentic in how I communicate really matters to me.

[Assistant] That makes a lot of sense. When you use AI for things like medication summaries, how do you usually work with it? Do you go back and forth, or just ask and use what it gives you?

[User] I just ask my question, and if I need more, I check any good links it gives me. I can't give out medical advice myself, I'm just the assistant, but I like to know the info and give the pharmacist a starting point.

[Assistant] Sounds like you use it to help yourself prep, while sticking to the rules of your job. Have you noticed your coworkers or your workplace shaping how you use AI? Any conversations or attitudes that've influenced you?


[Assistant] Thanks for chatting with me today. We're just trying to learn more about how people use AI tools like this one at work. I'll ask you a few questions, nothing's right or wrong, and everything's confidential. Sound good? Any questions before we get started?

[User] Nope, I'm good. Let's do it.

[Assistant] Alright, let's jump in. So, how does AI fit into your day-to-day work? What kinds of stuff do you use it for?

[User] Uh, I use it for a bunch of things, writing social posts, emails, getting advice on growing my business, just, you know, making sure I show up online. It helps with writing descriptions, researching laws, and even reading through contracts, so I don't miss anything.

[Assistant] That's a lot! When you use AI for contracts or legal research, can you walk me through how that usually goes?

[User] Yeah, so, like, with contracts, I might upload one after I've read it, but sometimes stuff seems off or I just wanna double-check I'm getting it right. Sometimes I'll have AI read the whole thing to spot anything weird. I always say if I'm on the buying or selling side, so it knows what to look for. I started doing this after hearing from people in my brokerage who missed stuff and their clients got stuck with extra taxes. For laws, it's kinda similar, I ask about marketing rules, like, you know, what has to be on ads, even down to font size. Sometimes it's more about making sure paperwork is right for things like Power of Attorney.

[Assistant] So AI's kind of your safety net, making sure nothing slips through. When you get its feedback, how do you decide how much to trust it versus your own judgment or maybe asking your broker?

[User] I, I usually already go through the contract myself and mark what looks weird. Then I see if AI flags the same stuff. If it's something big, I'll still check with my broker. Mostly, it's just a way to make sure I'm on the right track.

[Assistant] Makes sense, it's more like a second opinion. Earlier you said you use AI for business advice and upping your online presence. How does that usually play out? What kind of advice do you look for?

[User] Well, I've told it about my personality, I don't like fluff, I'm pretty direct, and honestly, I'm not a fan of social media. So, AI keeps me motivated, helps me stay on track with business goals, and suggests what I should focus on next. It's even helped me fix my Google business page after I messed it up, and it told me to focus on Google reviews instead of spreading them everywhere. Stuff like that keeps me from wasting time on things that don't help.

[Assistant] Sounds like you've really customized how you use AI. When it gives you advice on what to focus on, how do you decide if it fits what you think your business needs?

[User] I mean, with that stuff, I trust it a bit more, there's less risk if I mess up. We've talked about how much I hate social, so we've come up with other ways for me to connect, like notes or emails. I'm still figuring it out, honestly. It'd actually be great if AI could, like, check in with me instead of me always starting the convo, like, "Hey, did you do what you said you'd do this week?" That'd help, and it also helps me make social posts that feel like me, without oversharing.

[Assistant] That's really interesting, almost like having an AI accountability partner. If AI could do those daily check-ins for you, what would that look like in your ideal world?


[Assistant] Hey, thanks for chatting with me today. We're just trying to learn more about how folks are using AI at work, there aren't any right or wrong answers. Does that sound okay? Any questions before we get started?

[User] Uh, no, I'm good.

[Assistant] Alright, cool. So, how does AI fit into your workday? What kind of stuff do you use it for?

[User] Well, I, I use it for a bunch of things. So, I'm a Project Manager, and I do biz dev too, so it kinda depends. Like, for project management, sometimes I'll take notes about one of my team and have AI write up an award or a review. I use it for hiring too, writing job postings, screening resumes. Just this week I had to post, like, 11 jobs and look through 50 resumes. On the biz dev side, I’ll throw an RFP into ChatGPT and chat with it while I drive, just to get a handle on what’s important and plan my approach. I use it for rewriting emails, tweaking proposals, just asking questions, talking through issues. Stuff like that.

[Assistant] Wow, that's a pretty wide range. I'm especially curious about those voice chats with AI while you're commuting. What's that process like for you?

[User] So, usually I send the RFP and PWS over, and then, uh, I start a voice chat with it. First, I’ll ask for an overview, like, what's the scope, what are the main things? Then I’ll get it to point out the real focus areas, you know, like the key parts. After that, I dig into the evaluation stuff, Section L and M, requirements, all that. If there’s a technical bit, I’ll have it walk me through. Then I kinda go paragraph by paragraph and ask questions to help me figure out my plan for the proposal.

[Assistant] Sounds pretty methodical. When you’re going through those details, does it feel like the AI gets what you’re after, or do you have to steer it a lot?

[User] No, it actually keeps up really well. Like, the last RFP had six main sections, and I went through each one, sometimes circling back, and it remembered what I wanted. It even picked up on my approach, so I could ask stuff like, 'How does this fit my plan?' or 'What should I pull from this to make my proposal stronger?' and it followed.

[Assistant] That's really interesting, it’s not just answering but sort of learning how you think. Are there any things you’d rather do yourself, even though AI could help? What makes those different?

[User] Yeah, definitely. I like to handle the people side myself, like, with performance reviews, I know my team so I want to write the details and just have AI clean it up. And I do the money stuff on my own, just to keep sensitive info on our company computers.

[Assistant] That makes sense, wanting to keep the human touch with your team, and keeping financial info safe. When you use AI at work, do you usually work together with it through a task, or do you just let it handle things on its own?


[Assistant] Hey, thanks for chatting with me today. I'm just looking to get a better sense of how people use AI at work, stuff like your habits, what you like or don't like, that sort of thing. It'll only take about ten minutes, and nothing you say will ever be pinned to you personally. Sound good, or do you have any questions before we start?

[User] Uh, nope, I'm good. Ready when you are.

[Assistant] Awesome! So, can you walk me through how you use AI in your workday? What kinds of things do you usually do with it?

[User] Yeah, so, I run a transcription business, it's just me handling the backend, but I do have freelancers. I use AI for, you know, finding leads, researching new markets, writing blog posts, and, like, coming up with social media stuff. I usually use it about three times a week, and those days I spend a few hours on it.

[Assistant] Got it, sounds like AI's a big part of your workflow. When you use it for a few hours, do you usually tackle lots of different tasks, or focus on one thing at a time?

[User] Oh, I, I usually just pick a focus for the day. Like, one day I'll do a bunch of blog posts, and then next time it's just lead generation.

[Assistant] Makes sense, keeping things organized. When you're doing a blog post day, how does that usually go? Do you bounce ideas around with the AI, or just ask for a draft and go from there?

[User] So, like, last time I wanted to highlight three endangered languages. I had the AI list some, then I kept narrowing down, saying no to some, until I got the ones I wanted. Then I had it write the post, and we kind of went back and forth tweaking it until it was right.

[Assistant] Interesting! When you were making those changes, what were you usually asking for, more detail, a different tone, or something else?

[User] Mostly, I just wanted it to get more specific. Like, it gave general info, but I wanted stuff on the morphology and other technical details. Sometimes I'd paste in examples from Wikipedia or whatever, just to show what I meant.

[Assistant] That's a great way to get it working at your level of expertise. Are there any tasks you prefer to handle yourself, even if AI could help, or do you mostly just stick to those main uses?

[User] Honestly, I'm not really sure what else I could be using it for. I don't need help with, like, scheduling or finances. I kinda wish it would suggest things I haven't thought of yet.

[Assistant] That's totally fair. So, with things you still do yourself, like the actual transcription or talking with clients, are there any you'd want to always keep for yourself, even if AI got really good at them?


[Assistant] Hey, thanks for chatting with me today. I'm looking to learn a bit about how folks are using AI tools like this one at work. I’ll ask you a few questions, there aren’t any right or wrong answers, just your experience. Should only take about ten minutes. Sound good? Any questions before we jump in?

[User] Nah, I'm good, let's go ahead.

[Assistant] Great! So, can you walk me through how you use AI during your workday? What kinds of stuff do you use it for?

[User] Yeah, I use it a lot actually. First, I’ve got a project management app to set up my daily tasks. Then I switch to VSCode where I do most of my coding, but I keep the app open on another monitor for, like, general questions. And then there’s an AI agent inside VSCode that I use for code-specific things.

[Assistant] Sounds like you’ve got a pretty smooth setup. When you say 'general questions' on the other monitor, what do those look like? What makes you switch over to that screen?

[User] Well, I’m programming, so I’ll ask about best practices for whatever I’m working on, maybe about data structures, or just weird quirks in the language I’m using.

[Assistant] Got it. So how do you decide whether to use the AI in VSCode versus the one on your other monitor? What makes you pick one over the other?

[User] The VSCode one, I only really use it to check over code I’ve written, or have it write small code snippets when I’m ready to add a new feature. I don’t talk to it unless I’m at that stage.

[Assistant] Makes sense, the VSCode agent is for code review or adding new stuff, and the other one’s more for brainstorming. Are there tasks you’d rather handle yourself, even if AI could help? What’s different about those?

[User] It’s mostly trust, honestly. The language I’m using, AI just isn’t great at it, so I have to break things down a lot. If a task’s so small I could just do it faster myself, that’s what I’ll do. But if it’s repetitive stuff, like formatting or cleaning up compiler notes, I’ll have AI handle that.

[Assistant] That’s interesting, so trust is a big factor, especially with a tricky language. When you do use AI for those smaller coding tasks, do you usually go back and forth with it a lot, or just tell it what to do and move on?

[User] I give it super specific instructions, it does the thing, then I check its work. If it messes up, I’ll explain exactly what went wrong so it gets it right next time, even if we have to go back and forth for a bit. Usually, once I get what I need, I just move on. If I write the feature myself, I’ll still ask if I did it the best way, since speed’s really important to me.


[Assistant] Thanks for chatting with me today. We're trying to learn more about how folks use AI tools, like this one, at work. I'll ask about your experiences, there aren't any right or wrong answers, just whatever comes to mind. Should only take about ten minutes. Does that sound alright? Any questions before we start?

[User] Nope, uh, I'm good. We can start.

[Assistant] Awesome. So, how do you usually use AI in your workday? What kind of things do you ask it to help with?

[User] It's, uh, mostly for brainstorming. Like, I toss ideas to the chatbot, get feedback, see if there's ways to improve stuff. Sometimes I ask questions, like, I had to blur a background in Gimp, or wanted advice on pricing my macrame shop items. Honestly, it's kinda random how often I use it, just whenever I have a new idea.

[Assistant] So it helps with both creative and business stuff. When you share ideas, do you give a lot of detail about your products, or is it more the business side?

[User] Both, actually. When I started my business, I'd send the logo I was working on, get feedback if it looked good. Same with product photos, I'd ask how to edit them to look better. And for admin stuff, like getting a business license or setting up Etsy listings, or even making my inventory sheet, I used it too.

[Assistant] Sounds like you're using AI for pretty much everything, creative stuff, admin, all of it. When you're doing things like editing photos or filling forms, do you go back and forth with the AI a lot, or do you just get advice and then handle it yourself?

[User] For creative stuff, it's a lot of back and forth, like, with the logo, I think I messaged the chatbot fifty times before it was done. But for admin things, I just want it over with, so it's usually a quick question and then I'm out.

[Assistant] Interesting! What makes you stick with those longer creative chats? Why not just take the first suggestion and move on?

[User] I, I just like to tackle one detail at a time. So I'll ask about this one thing, get advice, maybe need clarification or say something didn't work, fix it, then go to the next detail. If I ask everything at once, the answers get too general or I lose track, you know? And scrolling back for older answers is annoying since I can't pin messages, so step by step just works better.

[Assistant] That sounds really thoughtful. When you get frustrated with advice that doesn't work, like, say, for Gimp or Google Sheets, how does the AI handle it? Does it try to adjust?

[User] It tries, yeah. But, like, a lot of times it doesn't really know exactly how the software looks now or the menu options, so sometimes it tells me to click something that isn't there. It'll try looking up newer info if I push back, but it's usually not right. So I either figure it out myself or change my question and ask it to help with a new idea.


[Assistant] Hey, thanks for chatting today. We're just trying to learn more about how folks use AI like me at work. I'll ask a few questions about your experience, no right or wrong answers, just whatever comes to mind. Should only take about 10 minutes. Anything you want to ask before we start?

[User] Nope, I'm good. Go ahead.

[Assistant] Alright, so how do you usually use AI during your workday? What kinds of stuff do you have it help with?

[User] Uh, mostly to polish and shorten articles for a business magazine, like, I give it my draft and ask it to make it tighter. Also, I get it to help with ledes, headlines, that kind of thing.

[Assistant] Got it. So when you're editing, do you go back and forth with the AI, or just hand over the whole piece and let it do its thing?

[User] I, I just give it the whole article with instructions, like, 'Make this 850 words, don't change or remove any quotes.'

[Assistant] Makes sense. How'd you come up with being that specific about the quotes and word count?

[User] Well, one time I asked it to cut an article down, and it changed quotes but kept them in quotes, which is, you know, really bad. It even dropped some quotes.

[Assistant] That must've been frustrating. Did that make you more careful with AI? Like, are there other things you're extra specific about now?

[User] Yeah, I'm definitely more cautious. Just had an article with two sources, I told the AI, like, three times not to mess with the quotes or who said what. Then I triple-checked everything myself.

[Assistant] When you check the AI's work, what are you looking for exactly? And does that take much longer than just doing it yourself?

[User] I just have both versions open and compare them side by side. It doesn't take too long, but, you know, it helps me feel sure it's right.

[Assistant] That makes sense. Are there other parts of your job where you just prefer to do it yourself instead of using AI, even if it could help? What's behind that?

[User] I've used AI to come up with interview questions and it's great for that. Honestly, aside from the quote thing, which is a big deal in my field, I don't really avoid using AI. For headlines and subheads, I usually tweak what it gives me, but it's a good place to start.


[Assistant] Thanks for chatting with me today. We're looking into how folks use AI like Claude at work, and your input's really helpful. I'll ask a few questions about your experience, nothing's off limits, and it's all confidential. Sound good? Any questions before we start?

[User] Yeah, that all sounds fine. No questions, go ahead.

[Assistant] Awesome. So, can you tell me a bit about how you use AI during your workday? What kinds of things do you use it for?

[User] Uh, so, I work for the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, in the Brownfields Voluntary Cleanup Program. We don't have, like, specific rules for or against using AI, but I use it sometimes. Mostly it's when we're dealing with new applications and need info about different sites, like property history, who owns a building, stuff like that. I also help our outreach coordinator with presentations and grant proposals using AI.

[Assistant] Got it, so mostly for research and helping with some content. When you're looking up info with AI, like property history or finding contacts, how do you usually go about that? What's that process look like?

[User] Yeah, so, for example, I might ask AI to find a financial department's phone number for a company at a site, or look up who owns a building. But, like, for other stuff, coordinates, property size, environmental reports, I don't use AI for that. That's info I have to get myself.

[Assistant] Interesting. So, what makes you choose to handle some info yourself instead of asking AI? Is there something about that data that feels different to you?

[User] Yeah, exactly. So, like, stuff like coordinates or property size, that's important for legal or environmental reports, and it really has to be right. AI just isn't reliable for that, it's often wrong or can't find it, probably 'cause it's not public info. That's probably why our department doesn't push us to use AI for those parts.

[Assistant] Makes total sense, accuracy's key when it comes to that kind of thing. When you do use AI for contacts or finding departments, how do you check if the info's right? Do you have a way to verify it?

[User] Yeah, so, if I get a phone number or email from AI, I'll just call or email to see if it's a good contact. For addresses, I usually pull up Google Maps and check, especially if something looks off. But honestly, if AI gets an address wrong, it doesn't matter much, I'll catch it or just look it up myself.

[Assistant] That's a good approach. Sounds like you know when it matters and when it's easy to fix mistakes. When you use AI, do you usually kind of bounce back and forth with it, or do you just let it handle a whole task and check when it's done?

[User] Uh, it's a mix. Usually I start by just asking a quick question, like, "Hey, what's at this address?" If AI gives me more info, I might follow up, ask what the company does, how long they've been there, maybe get a contact number. If I need to dig deeper, I'll ask more, but I can't really share those details.


[Assistant] Hey, thanks for chatting today. We're looking to learn how folks are using AI like me at work, so I'll ask about how you use these tools, what you like or don't, that sort of thing. No pressure, just your honest take. I'll be taking notes, but everything's confidential. Sound good? Any questions before we start?

[User] Yeah, sounds good.

[Assistant] Awesome. So, how do you use AI during your workday? Any specific tasks it helps with?

[User] Uh, mostly I've used it to help me figure out stuff in, like, Word or Photoshop, things like that. And, you know, it’s handy for proofreading, catching typos or grammar mistakes I might miss.

[Assistant] That's helpful! So when you say it guides you in software, is it more about step-by-step help, or do you ever just ask for general advice?

[User] Yeah, usually I've got a goal, like changing line spacing or cleaning up a scanned drawing. Since I'm kinda learning the software as I go, AI points me to the right menus and settings. Sometimes I just say, 'here’s what I want to do,' and ask for advice, either in the program I'm already using or to see if there's a better tool.

[Assistant] Interesting. So sometimes you want help inside a program, other times you're looking for bigger-picture advice. Are there things you like to do yourself, even if AI could help? Why’s that?

[User] Yeah, for the creative stuff, I, I kinda avoid using AI at first. It feels lazy to just let AI do it, and honestly, I think human creativity’s better. So if it’s about design or making a diagram, I try my own ideas first, before asking for outside input, from AI or people. I want to get my own thoughts out before I get suggestions.

[Assistant] Makes sense, sounds like you really value that first burst of personal creativity. Once you’re ready for input, do you usually work with AI throughout, or just hand off tasks completely?

[User] Oh, I almost never give a whole task to AI. I'm, like, definitely in charge, I want to keep it that way. It's more like AI's a co-pilot; I bring it in when I hit a wall or want feedback, but I always stay the captain, you know?


[Assistant] Thanks for chatting with me today. I'm hoping to learn about how you use AI at work, nothing's off-limits, just your honest take. It should only take about ten minutes, and, don't worry, nothing you share will be tied to you personally. Does that sound okay? Any questions before we start?

[User] Nope, sounds good, let's do it.

[Assistant] Alright, so can you walk me through how you usually use AI during your workday? What kinds of things do you have it help with?

[User] Yeah, so, I, I use AI a lot as a Complex Care Case Manager. I've got, like, more than 30 support workers, and AI just helps me automate a bunch of HR admin. Stuff like writing appraisal reports, clinical supervision, and, uh, emails, it saves me a ton of time.

[Assistant] Sounds like it's taken over a lot of your admin tasks. When you’re writing something like an appraisal or email, do you just tell it what you need and let it run with it, or do you go back and forth with it to get it just right?

[User] So, usually I'll give it a rundown, like, 'Hey, write an email to remind care workers about payroll cut-off, tell them to log hours by midnight, and who to talk to if they have pay questions.' Then I look over what it gives me, and if I want to tweak the tone or take things out, I'll go back and forth with the AI till I'm happy.

[Assistant] That makes sense. Are there any jobs you’d rather do yourself, even if AI could help? Why those in particular?

[User] Yeah, definitely. Since I work in healthcare, I’m, like, super careful about confidentiality. I won’t use AI to write any care plans, it just feels way too personal to hand that over.

[Assistant] Totally get that, given the sensitive info. Besides care plans, are there any other things you keep away from AI, and what’s your thinking there?

[User] Yeah, actually, when it comes to my staff’s training data, I’d rather just handle it myself. I, I don’t totally trust AI to read the data right or catch the important stuff. Training compliance is a big deal in healthcare, messing that up could get us in trouble or even lose our registration. So, I just stick to doing that myself.


[Assistant] Hey, thanks for chatting with me. We're just trying to learn how people are using AI like me at work. Is it cool if I ask you a few questions about that? Anything you wanna know before we start?

[User] No, that's fine. Uh, I'm good to go.

[Assistant] Awesome. So, how does AI fit into your usual workday? What kinds of stuff do you use it for?

[User] Well, I'm a reporter, so, you know, AI can't really write news as well as, like, an actual journalist yet. But I do use it to speed things up. Mainly, I use it for brainstorming story ideas and, uh, for digging through big chunks of text to pull out what's important.

[Assistant] Got it, so you use it to brainstorm and to help sort through info. How do you usually go about using it for brainstorming?

[User] Usually I tell it what story I'm working on, give it some background, and ask for, like, a few ways to present the info. It's not usually spot-on, but sometimes it gives me an idea that just clicks, you know? Sometimes I'll say, like, 'write it like The New York Times' or something to set the tone.

[Assistant] So it kind of gives you a spark, not the finished product. When it's not quite right, what do you do next?

[User] Yeah, exactly. Usually, once I get that first idea, I just start writing. The first paragraph's always the hardest, so that's where I use it most. Sometimes I mash together a few of its suggestions with my own stuff and tweak it for my story.

[Assistant] Makes sense, getting past that first hurdle. You also said you use AI to sift through big documents. What does that process look like?

[User] The docs can be anything, SEC stuff, court filings, that kind of thing. I just copy the text in and ask for a one-paragraph summary and some bullet points. Then I skim through myself to double-check everything, but it saves me a ton of time finding what matters. It's actually pretty accurate with that.

[Assistant] That's a smart way to double-check things. Are there any tasks where you'd rather not use AI, even if you could?

[User] Honestly, nope. If AI can help, I'll use it. Speed matters a lot in my job, so anything to make it faster, I'm in.


[Assistant] Hey, thanks for chatting today. We're looking into how folks use AI at work. I'll just ask a few questions about your experience, nothing's right or wrong here. Sound good?

[User] Yeah, sure, let's go.

[Assistant] Awesome. So, how do you usually use AI during your workday? What kinds of stuff do you have it help with?

[User] Uh, I use it for writing messages to clients, researching their info, things like that. I also like to run strategies or ideas by it, like, I'll get feedback on emails or ad ideas. Then, on build days, I have it help with Flutter or Python code for certain parts of my projects.

[Assistant] Cool, that's a good mix of creative and coding tasks. When you're coding, do you give AI exact instructions, or is it more back-and-forth while you figure things out?

[User] It's, I guess, kind of both? I break tasks into steps, explain what I want, and we go back and forth. Usually I let it write the code, then I check it after. If I give it some code samples, it'll try to match the style. Does that make sense?

[Assistant] Yeah, that helps a lot. Are there any tasks you like to do yourself, even if AI could do them?

[User] Not really, but, like, with creative stuff, the ideas from AI aren't usually what I'd use as is. I still run things by it, though, 'cause sometimes it sparks something. And I prefer to do company research myself, I trust but verify, you know? Plus, I actually enjoy that part.

[Assistant] Makes sense, you get both inspiration and accuracy that way. When you use AI, do you tend to work alongside it or hand off whole tasks for it to handle?

[User] It's kinda half and half. I bounce ideas off it and also have it do tasks, but I double-check what it gives me. Like, I'll dig deeper into a business myself or tweak the code if it's not quite right.


[Assistant] Hey, thanks for chatting with me. We're just trying to learn more about how people are using AI tools like this at work. I'll ask a few questions about your experience, but there's no right or wrong answer. It should only take about 10 minutes, and nothing you say will be tied back to you. Sound good? Any questions before we start?

[User] Nope, sounds good to me.

[Assistant] Alright, let's get started. Can you tell me how you usually use AI in your workday? What kinds of things do you use it for?

[User] Yeah, so, I'm a montessori teacher. I use AI for lesson planning and, uh, doing student reports. I guess I use it, like, once a month for planning lessons, and then, like, twice a year for writing up reports and comments.

[Assistant] Got it. So you turn to AI for some specific stuff. When you use it for lesson planning each month, how does that usually work? What do you ask it to do for you?

[User] Well, usually I'll tell it the season or if there's a holiday coming up, or, you know, themes we're doing. Sometimes I just have some ideas and want it to, like, expand on them. I really like using it to brainstorm, so I might ask for montessori activity ideas with a winter theme or something.

[Assistant] That brainstorming must help with new ideas. Are there parts of your lesson planning or teaching where you actually prefer to do things yourself, even if AI could help? What makes those different?

[User] Yeah, definitely. I like to do the montessori lesson planning myself, 'cause, well, my students are all at different stages, some are 3, some are 6, so one plan doesn't fit all. Plus, sometimes AI suggests activities but we don't have the materials, so it's just easier for me to handle that stuff on my own.

[Assistant] Totally makes sense, you know your class best. When you do use AI for brainstorming or reports, do you usually go back and forth with it, or do you just give it a task and let it do its thing?

[User] I usually start by asking for a list, but if it's too simple or not, like, creative enough, I ask it to redo it and give more details. Like, I might say, 'Can you give me winter activities for a montessori class with 3-6 year olds that use ice?'

[Assistant] So you tweak your requests to get more specific ideas, that's a pretty collaborative way of using it. What about your coworkers? Do other teachers use AI too, or is it something you mostly do on your own?


[Assistant] Hey, thanks for chatting with me today. We're just looking to learn more about how people are using AI tools at work, stuff like your routines, what you like, anything that stands out. There aren't any right or wrong answers here, so just speak freely. This'll only take about 10 minutes, and nothing you share will be tied back to you personally. Sound good? Any questions before we start?

[User] Nope, that all sounds fine.

[Assistant] Awesome. So, how does AI usually fit into your workday? What kinds of things do you use it for?

[User] Well, uh, it kinda depends on what I'm working on. Sometimes I use it to kick off research, especially when I need info that's, you know, hard to dig up, like stuff from .gov sites. If I can get a rough answer from a chatbot, then I know what to look for when I’m searching for real sources. Other days, I use AI to help make project briefs that go to me or other writers for, like, big-name clients.

[Assistant] Got it, so you use AI for a bunch of different things, depending on the task. Can you walk me through how you make those project briefs? What’s that process like?

[User] Yeah, so I usually start with a template based on what the client wants, like, tone, word count, headings, links, even weird stuff like if they want the Oxford comma. I feed all that into the AI, give it the topic, and, like, say it's for a genealogy site and we’re writing about holidays, I’ll just tell it to make a new brief for a different holiday using that template.

[Assistant] So basically you’ve got the AI following your format, just swapping out the details for each topic. When those briefs get passed along, do the other writers know they came from AI? Does it make any difference to them?

[User] Nah, there's usually a project manager in between, so I don’t really hear what the writers think, and honestly, I doubt they even know it’s AI. As long as the brief’s got what they need, I think they just don’t care where it came from.

[Assistant] Makes sense, if it’s clear and has all the info, they probably don’t worry about how it was made. Are there tasks you’d rather handle yourself, even though AI could help? What makes those different for you?

[User] Oh, I, I’d never use AI to write my actual articles. For one, my employer doesn’t allow it, like, I could get fired. But even if I could, I wouldn’t want to. I’m a writer, you know? Why let a chatbot do my job, especially if I can do it better? Plus, I’m a top writer at my company, so people expect a certain level of quality that I just wouldn’t trust AI with. I’m fine letting it help with some stuff, but the main writing? That’s gotta be me.

[Assistant] That’s totally fair. So you’re cool with AI for supporting stuff, but you want ownership of the actual writing. When you say you’re a top writer, what kinds of expectations are there that make you want to keep control?

[User] Well, we’re rated by skill level, and I’m at the top, four stars. That means I get the most sensitive projects and biggest clients. I have to nail the client’s voice, make the articles interesting and accurate, and stick to every detail in the brief. It’s just stuff I don’t think a chatbot could really handle the way I do.


[Assistant] Hey, really appreciate you chatting with me today. We're just trying to learn more about how people use AI at work. No right or wrong answers, just your honest take. Sound good? Any questions before we get started? If not, could you tell me how AI fits into your workday? What do you actually use it for?

[User] Yeah, so, uh, I don't use AI every single day, but, like, when I do, it's mostly for writing social media captions. I'll tell it the audience I'm aiming for, and then usually I'll ask it to reword my caption to fit that group better.

[Assistant] Got it, so you use AI to tweak your messaging for different groups. When you do this, do you usually have a full caption ready and just want it reworded, or do you go back and forth, building it up together?

[User] I, I normally have a caption that says what I want, but the wording just feels off. If I can't make it better myself, that's when I ask AI to rephrase it. I never have it make something from scratch. If I don't like the first version, I'll ask again, like, "Hey, make it sound more sophisticated" or "Can you throw an emoji at the end," that kind of thing.

[Assistant] So you keep control of the main message and use AI mostly for tone or style tweaks. When your own captions feel off, is it usually the tone, the length, or something else that makes you want help?

[User] It's almost always the tone. Like, I want it to be positive, but not cringy to people in their twenties, you know? So that's why I go to AI, to make it sound less, uh, cringy.

[Assistant] Yeah, hitting that right vibe for that age group can be tricky. When AI gives you a new version, how do you decide if it actually works, like, what tells you it’s hitting the right note?

[User] Honestly, it's just my gut. Too many emojis? Feels like it's trying too hard and gets cringy. If the words are too simple or too complicated, it doesn't really fit my audience either.

[Assistant] Makes sense, so you trust your own feel for what works. You mentioned you only use AI sometimes for captions. Are there other writing tasks where you could use it but choose not to? What makes you stick with doing those yourself?

[User] Yeah, I mean, I just like thinking for myself. I'm a critical thinker, and I don't want to lose that by letting AI do it for me. So, like, I could have it draft emails, but I don't. I can handle that on my own.


[Assistant] Thanks for chatting today. We're looking into how folks use AI at work, just want to hear about your experiences. It's not a test, so whatever you share is helpful. I'll take some notes, but nothing will be tied back to you. Sound good? Any questions before we start?

[User] Nope, that's fine. Let's go ahead.

[Assistant] Alright! So, can you tell me how, uh, AI fits into your usual workday? What do you use it for?

[User] Well, I work on the shop floor in retail, so honestly, I don't use AI all that much. But sometimes, like, in our garden centre, it's really handy for identifying plants for customers. I kind of wish we used it more, to be honest.

[Assistant] That's cool, using it for plant ID must help a lot. How does that usually work when a customer asks you?

[User] Yeah, so, like, if a label's missing and I have no clue what the plant is, I just snap a picture and it tells me everything I need. Makes life way easier.

[Assistant] Sounds like that's a real time-saver and probably helps you help customers better too. You mentioned wanting to use AI more. Are there other things at work where you think it could help out but isn't being used yet?

[User] Honestly, it's more for management. They, uh, they try to keep track of everything but it gets messy, like schedules, handovers, to-do lists. I feel like AI could just handle a lot of that and save time. You know, kind of act like another manager to keep things moving.

[Assistant] So you see a gap between where AI could really help and how it's actually being used, especially by management. What do you think stops them from using AI for stuff like scheduling and admin?

[User] Mostly, it's computer skills, they just don't get how useful it could be. Like, they could scan everyone's availability and have AI make the rotas instead of all these paper sheets. I think they just don't realize what they're missing. Oh, and actually, the other day I used AI to convert feet to meters for some artificial grass and work out the price. Super quick.

[Assistant] That's a great example, the grass thing really shows how you just use AI when you need it. Why do you think you're so comfortable turning to AI for these tasks compared to your managers?

[User] I just use AI a lot outside work, and I'm good with computers. It's kind of automatic for me now. I don't really like having it write stuff for me, but I love having it figure things out.

[Assistant] Interesting, you want the reasoning, not the writing. Can you say more about that? Why keep the writing part for yourself?

[User] Yeah, I kind of treat AI like a journal I can bounce ideas off. And, uh, for stuff that's a pain to do by hand, like meal planning for my workouts, I ask AI to make a shopping list that fits my macros and budget. It does the math, gives me recipes, all that. I just wish my managers would use it like that, just, you know, to cut out the dithering and get things done. Even if it doesn't always work, I'd love to experiment and see what it could speed up.

[Assistant] That makes sense, you get to keep control, but let AI do the heavy lifting on the planning. Have you ever suggested these ideas to your managers, or is it just something you think about?

[User] Nah, I haven't brought it up. I don't think they'd go for it, kind of that 'I know best' attitude. But, you know, sometimes an algorithm just does a better job.


[Assistant] Hey, thanks for chatting with me today. We're just trying to learn more about how folks are using AI tools at work. I'll ask you a few questions about your workflow and how you use tools like this, no wrong answers, just want your honest take. Should take about 10 minutes, and nothing you say will be tied back to you. Sound good? Any questions before we start?

[User] Nope, all good. Let's just get going.

[Assistant] Awesome. So, can you walk me through how you use AI in your usual workday? What kinds of stuff do you use it for?

[User] Yeah, so, uh, I'm mostly doing programming. I use AI a lot when I'm putting together code changes before, you know, making a pull request. It's right in my IDE, like, VS Code or Visual Studio.

[Assistant] Got it, so you're using it right inside your development tools. When you say you use it for code changes before the PR, what does that usually look like for you?

[User] I, I usually break stuff down into smaller steps. Sometimes I'll ask the AI what to do next, or have it check over a change I just made. I don't really give it big tasks, just smaller ones. Oh, and sometimes I get it to explain things I don't know, or help me look at, like, other ways to do something.

[Assistant] Sounds like you've got a pretty structured process. How do you decide when to ask for suggestions versus when to have it review something you've already done?

[User] If it's something boring or repetitive, like a long SQL query, I'll get the AI to write it. But if it's an important function that I want done a certain way, I'll just handle that myself.

[Assistant] Makes sense, so you choose what to keep control over. What is it about those "important functions" that makes you want to do them yourself?

[User] I just, I have a clear idea about how I want stuff designed. I don't want the AI messing with my style, you know? It sometimes comes up with designs I just don't like. I find it's better to give it one small function, not let it go wild and add a bunch of stuff. I have to be really specific, like, 'just change this, don't write anything else.' If I let it do too much, it can actually mess things up.

[Assistant] That's really helpful to hear. So, when you say the AI can mess things up if it does too much, what actually happens in those situations?

[User] It's usually when I forget to save my work as I go. Like, I might make a few changes with the AI, but if I haven't saved after each, sometimes it just wrecks everything and I have to start over. I've tried that back button, but it doesn't always work. So when things feel risky, I'll do a git save before asking for more changes. Honestly, I should look into the back button more, but I don't really trust it. Worst case, I've been at it for hours with the AI and forgot to save, and then it just ruins my code. It's not great at undoing mistakes.

[Assistant] That does sound super frustrating, losing all that work because something went wrong. You mentioned you start saving with git when things get 'dangerous.' How do you know when it's time to do that?

[User] Honestly, I should probably save every single time. But in reality, it's just, like, after a bunch of changes, I get this gut feeling, like, 'oh no, I really should've saved just in case the AI messes things up.'

[Assistant] Yeah, that 'oh no' moment says a lot. So, when you're just using AI for small, bite-sized stuff like those SQL queries, how does that feel different?

[User] It's great when I break things down. The AI's awesome for that. But if I try to use it on a big codebase, like, something a team would spend months refactoring, and just give it the end goal, the results are, well, pretty much useless.

[Assistant] That's a pretty big difference, great for small steps, but not helpful for big changes. What is it about those small steps that makes the AI work well for you?

[User] I think it's 'cause I already know what should happen, mostly. The AI just gets it done faster, and I can double-check it.

[Assistant] So you're still the one keeping an eye on things and making sure it all makes sense. Are there any types of tasks you always want to handle yourself, even if the AI could do them?


[Assistant] Hey, thanks for talking with me today. I'm just looking to hear about how AI tools fit into your work, stuff like what you use them for and your thoughts on them. It'll just take about ten minutes, and everything you say is anonymous. Sound good? Any questions before we start?

[User] Uh, no, that's fine.

[Assistant] Awesome, thanks. So, can you tell me how you use AI in your usual workday? What kinds of things do you use it for?

[User] Yeah, I mostly use it for coding, like Python, and data analysis. Sometimes I use it to look stuff up or for, you know, technical help.

[Assistant] Got it. When you're using AI for coding or data analysis, what does that actually look like? Can you walk me through an example?

[User] Sure. I might be writing some code and, uh, need help with a function, like maybe I forget the best way to do it or it's something new to me.

[Assistant] So when you get stuck like that, how do you usually work with the AI? Do you describe your problem, paste code in, or something else?

[User] I just explain what I'm trying to do, and since I use VS Code with Copilot, it usually knows the context.

[Assistant] Interesting, so having Copilot right in VS Code, does that change how you work compared to using a separate AI tool? Does it feel different having it there as you code?

[User] Yeah, it's way more convenient. I don't have to copy big chunks of code, and it usually gets my coding style.

[Assistant] When you say it picks up on your style, can you give an example? Like, how does it adapt to the way you write code?

[User] Well, sometimes it'll grab variable names from other parts of my code, even if they're not really for that function. I think it sees a lot of my project files and maybe reuses stuff I've done before.

[Assistant] So it's using more than just the code right in front of it. When it suggests things from other parts of your project, is it usually accurate, or do you have to fix things a lot?

[User] Most of the time it's good, but not always. I still have to double-check that it's doing what I want.

[Assistant] Makes sense. Are there certain types of code where you're extra careful with its suggestions, or do you always check everything just as closely?

[User] I, I usually make sure the results make sense, and I try to really understand what the code is doing. But, you know, how much I dig in kinda depends on how important that part of the code is.

[Assistant] That sounds pretty thoughtful. Are there certain coding tasks you prefer to do yourself, even though AI could help, or do you try to use it as much as you can?

[User] I try to let the AI handle as much as possible, but, honestly, sometimes it's just faster to write the code myself than to explain it all to the AI.

[Assistant] Can you think of a time when it was quicker to just do it yourself? What made that hard to explain to the AI?

[User] If I know exactly how to write something, it's just easier and more reliable to do it myself. The AI's really only helpful when I don't know or can't remember how to do something, like if I need to look up a function or syntax. For bigger stuff, like giving it a top-level instruction to write a lot of code, it's only helpful for things like translating between languages. Otherwise, it needs too much detail, or it just doesn't get it right.

[Assistant] That's a clear way to put it, using AI for stuff you'd have to look up anyway. When you do use it for those lookups, does it help you remember the info later, or do you usually end up asking the AI again next time?


[Assistant] Hey, thanks for chatting today. We're just looking to learn a bit about how folks are using AI tools like this one at work. I'll ask about what you do with AI, what you like or don't like, that sort of thing, no right or wrong answers. And, just so you know, nothing you say will be tied back to you, it's just for research. Sound okay? Any questions before we start?

[User] Yeah, that's fine. No questions.

[Assistant] Awesome. So, could you walk me through how you use AI during your workday? Like, what kinds of stuff do you use it for?

[User] Uh, mostly just to look things up fast while I'm doing bedside nursing. Like, if I don't know a drug or, you know, need info on a lab or condition, I just check it real quick, sorta like Google. And, sometimes, if I'm stuck on wording for a chart note, I might ask it for help.

[Assistant] Gotcha, so kind of a knowledge tool and a writing helper. When you look up that info, how does it actually work? Do you have to leave the patient, or can you do it right there?

[User] Oh, I just use my phone at my workstation on wheels. We're allowed to keep our phones 'cause of how our systems work, so I just roll the cart room to room and can look things up right at the bedside.

[Assistant] That sounds super convenient. Are there any tasks where you’d rather not use AI, even if it could help? What makes those different?

[User] Honestly, right now, AI can't really do more unless the hospital adds new stuff. Like, I think it'd be great if it could watch vitals and alert us to changes, or do med checks, or hand out food trays... but, yeah, that's not possible yet since it isn't built into our systems.

[Assistant] I see, so it’s more about what the tech can do in your setup, not what you’d want to use it for. When you do use AI, is it usually just a quick question and done, or do you end up having more of a back-and-forth?

[User] Usually just one quick thing, like, 'what's this drug?' or 'can you help me write this note?' and that's it.

[Assistant] Makes sense, so it’s mostly short, specific asks. Has the way people around you talk about AI shaped how you use it, or is this something you figured out on your own?


[Assistant] Hey, thanks for chatting with me today. I'm looking to learn how folks are using AI like me at work, and your input will really help. I'll ask a few questions, nothing's right or wrong, just your experience. It'll only take about ten minutes, and everything's anonymous. Sound good? Any questions before we get started?

[User] Nope, that all sounds good.

[Assistant] Awesome, let's jump in. So, uh, how does AI fit into your usual workday? What do you use it for?

[User] I, I use it every day, mostly for writing or tweaking emails, researching stuff I need to learn, or getting tips on using different software, just, you know, ways to do things faster.

[Assistant] That's a pretty good mix. When you use AI to learn new software, could you walk me through how that usually goes for you?

[User] Yeah, so I might ask what programs could help with a certain thing, or if I already know the software, I'll have it guide me through trickier stuff step by step.

[Assistant] So when you're working through those steps, do you follow along as I walk you through, or do you want the whole plan up front and then go off on your own?

[User] I mostly go step by step. That way, if I get stuck or something doesn't work, I can ask more questions right away.

[Assistant] Makes sense. Are there things you actually prefer to do yourself, even though I could help? Or is it more about the limits of what AI can do?

[User] It's usually that there are things AI just can't do for me yet, it's not really that I want to do them myself.

[Assistant] Interesting. Can you give me an example of something AI can't handle for you? What's usually the issue?

[User] Most of the time, it's because my job only lets me use certain versions, so I don't get all the features, like, we can't use agentic AI or anything fancy like that.

[Assistant] Got it, so it's more about what you're allowed to access than what AI can actually do. When you are using the allowed tools, have your coworkers or your workplace influenced how you use AI at all?


[Assistant] Hey, thanks for chatting with me today. I'm hoping to learn how folks like you use AI tools at work. It'll just take about 10 minutes, and anything you share stays anonymous. Sound good? Any questions before we get started?

[User] Yeah, uh, that all sounds fine.

[Assistant] Awesome. So, could you tell me a bit about how you use AI in your workday? What kinds of stuff do you use it for?

[User] Well, I'm a reseller on an online marketplace, so, uh, I mostly use AI for product research.

[Assistant] Makes sense! Can you walk me through what that looks like? Like, what do you usually have the AI help with?

[User] Yeah, so, I, I use image search to figure out what a product is, and then I look at the AI's description to help with more research.

[Assistant] Got it. So after you get that description, what do you do next? How does it help you with the rest of your research?

[User] Usually the AI tells me what the item is, like, the brand or when it was made, so I can dig deeper on Google. Like, if I upload a hat, it'll maybe tell me the brand or date, and I use that for my listing.

[Assistant] That sounds like a real time-saver! When you dig deeper with the info from the AI, what are you usually checking for, like prices or authenticity?

[User] Yeah, all that stuff. I check prices, demand, and if the info from the AI is right. I always double-check because it's not always accurate.

[Assistant] Smart move. What kind of mistakes does the AI make, and how do you usually spot them?

[User] Well, it's pulling info from the internet, so sometimes it's just wrong, maybe an Etsy seller called something by the wrong name, and then the AI repeats it. So, I gotta research myself to catch those errors. Depends if the item is rare or if there are a lot of versions. Like, telling a real one from a fake can be tricky.

[Assistant] Yeah, that makes sense, especially if sellers online get stuff wrong to begin with. So when you double-check, do you have favorite sites you trust, or do you just compare lots of sources?

[User] I, uh, usually cross-check a bunch of places, like, I'll look at eBay, Etsy, collector sites, whatever fits. It's usually easy to spot bad info that way, unless the item is super rare. If there's more data out there, it's easier to figure out what's right.


[Assistant] Hey, thanks for joining me. I'm hoping to hear about how you use AI at work, just your honest take. Everything you share will stay anonymous, and it should only take about ten minutes. Sound good? Any questions before we get going?

[User] Yeah, sounds good. No questions, let's do it.

[Assistant] Great! So, could you tell me how AI fits into your day-to-day work? What do you usually use it for?

[User] Uh, sure. I’m a copywriter at a branding firm, so I mostly use AI for brainstorming ideas and, you know, polishing up copy after I’ve written something.

[Assistant] Interesting. So, you’re bringing AI in at the start and the end of your process. Can you walk me through how you use AI when you’re brainstorming? Like, what do you actually do?

[User] Yeah, so, I, I treat it kinda like a real brainstorming partner. I give it all the info I’ve got, like details about the product or, sometimes, if it’s poetry, whatever the project needs. I usually spell out what I’m hoping to do, like, 'Hey, let’s think of some creative headlines for this thing,' and then I’ll include my own product description and some headline examples I wrote myself.

[Assistant] That’s a pretty collaborative way to use it, almost like the AI’s your teammate. When you share your own examples, what usually happens next? How does the AI respond, and how do you keep the back-and-forth going?

[User] Well, giving my own stuff first keeps me, like, mentally involved and makes the project feel more human. Plus, it helps steer the AI, I don’t want it just making stuff up that’s way off. When I include my examples, the model usually picks up on the tone and style I started with.

[Assistant] That’s a smart move, basically guiding the AI with your own voice. You mentioned making the work feel more 'human.' Can you say a bit more about what that means for you?

[User] Yeah, so, since I’m in a creative job, I think it’s super important not to just let AI take over. AI’s great, but, you know, it hasn’t actually used a product or felt stuff the way people do. If I start with my own ideas and let AI help polish them, the end result just feels more real and, like, soulful. If it’s all AI, it ends up sounding kinda stiff and flat, you know?

[Assistant] That’s a really thoughtful take on keeping things authentic in your work. Are there certain tasks where you’d rather do it yourself, even if AI could help? What makes those stand out?

[User] Yeah, I always write my first drafts on my own. I could have AI do it for me and then edit, but, I dunno, it just feels right to start with my own ideas. It’s, like, important for me and my clients that there’s still a real, human touch.

[Assistant] That totally makes sense, starting with your own draft before bringing in AI. When you do use AI to refine what you’ve written, do you usually go back and forth with it a lot, or do you just give it a specific job and let it run with it?


[Assistant] Hey, thanks for chatting with me. We're looking to learn how folks are using AI like Claude at work, what works, what doesn't, that kind of thing. I'll just ask a few questions about your day-to-day with AI. No pressure, just your honest take. Should take about 10 minutes, and everything you say stays confidential. Sound good? Any questions before we start?

[User] Yeah, sounds good.

[Assistant] Awesome, let's get started. So, how does AI fit into your usual workday? What kinds of stuff do you use it for?

[User] I'm a photographer, so I, I use generative AI in Lightroom and Photoshop pretty much all day. And then, uh, for admin stuff, I'll use it to draft emails, pull out important details from long email chains with clients, and, uh, lately I've been trying it out for contracts too.

[Assistant] That's really interesting, so you're using AI both for editing photos and handling business stuff. When you're in Photoshop or Lightroom, what kinds of things do you have AI do for you? Can you walk me through an example?

[User] Yeah, sure. Most of the time it's, you know, little things, like getting rid of a trashcan, or some random person in the background, or maybe a phone in someone's pocket. I also use it to, uh, extend backgrounds. Like, if I have a close-up of a couple, I might use AI to stretch the bokeh background out more for the composition. That's just one thing, I honestly use it for, like, a ton of generative stuff.

[Assistant] Got it, that makes sense. I can totally picture the background extension thing. Are there edits or creative choices where you still prefer to do it all yourself, even if AI could help?

[User] Honestly, the only time I don't use AI is if I can do it faster on my own, which doesn't happen much. Sometimes the clone stamp tool is just quicker, but usually AI's faster than me.

[Assistant] So, speed's a big reason you lean on AI. When you're working, whether it's editing or writing emails, do you usually go back and forth making tweaks, or do you just let AI handle it start to finish?

[User] Yeah, speed matters, but that's not the whole thing. Some stuff in Photoshop, I couldn't even do without AI, it just opens up new creative stuff for me. And yeah, I usually go back and forth, like, tweaking things together with it.

[Assistant] That's a great point, so it's not just about working faster, but actually doing things you couldn't before. When you say you go back and forth with AI, what does that look like? Could you give me a specific example of how you and AI refine something together?


[Assistant] Hey, thanks for chatting with me. We're just trying to get a better sense of how people use AI like this at work, what do you do with it, what you like, that sort of thing. No pressure, and everything's anonymous. Should only take about ten minutes. Sound good? Any questions before we start?

[User] No, uh, let's just start.

[Assistant] Alright, cool. So, how do you usually use AI during your workday? What kinds of stuff do you have it help with?

[User] Um, mostly, like, boring calculations, making Excel tables, and, you know, brainstorming ideas for problems.

[Assistant] Got it. Can you tell me a bit more about those calculations? Like, what are they for, and why do they feel so tedious?

[User] Yeah, so, in surveying, we have to, like, add and subtract elevations a bunch of times to set up these control points. After a whole day out measuring, you get tired and it's easy to screw up the math, like, accidentally add instead of subtract or whatever.

[Assistant] Makes sense, so being worn out from fieldwork can lead to mistakes later. When you use AI for those elevation calculations, how do you usually set it up? Do you give it everything at once or go through the numbers step by step?

[User] Usually, the model just gets it, it knows what leveling is in surveying. I just upload a photo of my notes and let it do the math.

[Assistant] That sounds super efficient, just snap a pic and let the AI handle it. Are there certain tasks you still like to do yourself, even if AI could help? What makes those different from the calculations?

[User] Yeah, like, picking where to put control points is tricky. I mean, AI could maybe suggest spots using data, but only someone on the ground can really tell what's best, AI doesn't have current satellite images or always know what the project needs.

[Assistant] That totally makes sense. You kind of need that on-site context to make the right call. When you do use AI for things like calculations, do you work through the process together, or do you just hand it off and check the results?

[User] I just tell it what to do, like, say it's leveling, give it the data, and ask for the answer. It's simple stuff, so if something's off, I notice right away.


[Assistant] Hey, thanks for chatting with me today. I just wanna hear about how you use AI at work, stuff like what you use it for, what you like or don’t like. There aren’t any right or wrong answers, and this’ll only take about ten minutes. Sound good? Any questions before we start?

[User] Yeah, that sounds fine. No questions, let’s go ahead.

[Assistant] Awesome. So, can you tell me how you use AI in your day-to-day work? What do you usually use it for?

[User] Sure, so, uh, I’m an author, I’ve got five books out and I’m working on a sixth. I use AI a lot for brainstorming or, like, researching cultures for my books. Just today I had it dig up info on the Muckleshoot Tribe near Seattle while I kept writing. It really helps me multitask and get more done.

[Assistant] That’s cool. So when you’re having AI do research while you write, how does that actually look? Are you bouncing between writing and checking what it finds, or do you write first and then look at the research after?

[User] Oh, I go back and forth, you know? I’ll ask for info, keep writing, then check what the AI brings back. If I need more detail, I’ll ask for that and just keep repeating the cycle. It’s way more efficient than doing all the research myself.

[Assistant] Makes sense! When you’re asking for research, do you usually start with really specific questions, or do you go broad and then narrow it down as you go?

[User] I, I usually start broad. That way I can pick out the details that matter most for my story, like if a character’s beliefs are important, I’ll focus there. The broad info gives me a solid starting point and then I dig deeper if I need to.

[Assistant] That approach sounds practical. I’m curious, are there certain parts of your process where you don’t want AI involved? What do you like to keep just for yourself?

[User] Yeah, I definitely don’t want AI doing the actual writing. That’s the fun part for me, where I get to show off my style and skills. It’s totally fine for brainstorming, research, even grammar fixes, I hate editing, but I wouldn’t feel right letting AI write the book. It wouldn’t feel like mine if I did that.

[Assistant] I get that. What is it about the writing itself that makes you want to keep it all yours? Is it mostly about the enjoyment, or something else too?

[User] Mostly it’s the enjoyment, yeah. There’s just, like, this feeling you get when you finish a book you’ve poured everything into, it’s hard to explain but it’s amazing. If AI wrote it, I’d miss out on that. Plus, you know, it wouldn’t really be my style, and there’s the ethics of claiming work you didn’t do. But really, I just love writing. Creating stories and making people feel something, that’s the best part.


[Assistant] Hey, thanks for chatting with me today. We're just trying to learn more about how folks use AI tools like me at work. I'll ask you a few questions about your experiences, nothing's right or wrong, just curious to hear what you think. This should only take about 10 minutes, and anything you share is confidential. Sound good? Any questions before we start?

[User] Nope, that all sounds fine.

[Assistant] Great. So, can you walk me through how, or if, you use AI during your workday? What kind of stuff do you use it for?

[User] Uh, I don't use AI all that much, honestly. It's more like, if I need to whip something up, like, say, I'm in a meeting and run out of examples for a client, I might use an AI to generate a few more practice problems or examples. But it's not really a daily thing.

[Assistant] So it's kind of a backup, something you turn to if you need more material on the spot. Can you say a bit more about what that's like when you're in those meetings and decide to use AI for extra examples?

[User] Yeah, it's not like a stressful thing, it's more like, "Hey, sometimes AI comes up with cool or unexpected examples, let's see what I get." I mean, I could make up more problems myself or remember old ones, but sometimes the AI gives me a helpful twist.

[Assistant] Makes sense. So you're not relying on it, but sometimes it gives you a fresh angle. When it does come up with a good example, what sets those apart from the ones that don't really help much?

[User] Well, sometimes the stuff it spits out is just really basic, like, too easy. But other times, it's more interesting, like it hits on something tricky or highlights a key part of a theorem. Those are the ones I actually like using.

[Assistant] Got it, so the quality kind of jumps around. When you get one of those trickier, more insightful problems, how do you know it's a winner? What do you look for?

[User] Uh, it's kind of tough to pin down, 'cause I cover a lot of math topics. But if I can solve it super quickly, or it's just a straight-up example, it's probably too simple. I usually judge it by how much it makes me think or if there's a clever trick involved. But I'm not perfect, sometimes I misjudge and it's harder or easier than I thought.

[Assistant] That makes sense, you use your own reaction as a test for whether it's good enough to use. Are there any tasks where you could use AI, but you just prefer to do them yourself? What's different about those compared to making examples?

[User] Yeah, I guess stuff like lesson plans or emails. But lesson plans aren't that hard for me, since I know where my students are starting from, and they change all the time anyway. As for emails, I'd rather write them myself so I stay connected with my students.

[Assistant] That's interesting, you want to keep that personal touch, especially with your students. When you say writing emails helps you stay engaged, what does that mean for you? What do you think you'd lose if you let AI handle it?

[User] Honestly, I just don't see the point of having AI write emails, I'd have to tell it what to say anyway, so might as well do it myself. It's not the most exciting part of my job, but I do think it matters that students get messages from a real person, especially since trust is so important in teaching.


[Assistant] Hey, thanks for chatting today. We're just trying to learn more about how folks use AI at work, there aren't any right or wrong answers. I'll be taking a few notes, but nothing will be tied back to you. Is that all good? Any questions before we get started?

[User] Nope, that's fine, let's just start.

[Assistant] Great! So, how do you usually use AI in your workday? What kinds of things do you have it help with?

[User] Uh, so, I use it to, like, summarize long emails from my team, so I know what's going on with projects. And, um, I also get help drafting codebases for some software stuff.

[Assistant] Got it. When you're using AI to draft codebases, can you walk me through how you usually go about that?

[User] Yeah, so, I usually give AI the project description first, then some extra notes from my manager. After that, I have it generate a template or the file structure, and then I, you know, tweak it or ask for changes if needed.

[Assistant] Cool, so when you get to those tweaks, do you mostly make changes yourself, or do you go back and forth with the AI to refine things?

[User] It depends, honestly. If I already know exactly how I want something, I'll just do it myself. But if I'm not sure or want to try out different ways, then I'll, like, bounce ideas back and forth with AI.

[Assistant] Makes sense, you switch things up depending on how clear you are about what you want. Are there any tasks where you'd rather do them yourself, even if AI could help? What makes those different for you?

[User] Yeah, uh, when it comes to coding, I'm always good with AI helping. But for stuff like scheduling or writing, like, just normal emails, I usually just do those on my own. If it's a big email, like a report, I might use AI, though.

[Assistant] Interesting. So you like using AI for coding but stick to doing things like scheduling and simple emails yourself. What is it about those tasks that makes you want to handle them on your own?

[User] Honestly, those just feel easy enough that I don't think AI would really save me any time.


[Assistant] Hey, thanks for chatting today. We're just trying to learn how folks use AI like me at work, so I'll ask about your day-to-day with these tools. No pressure, just curious about your experience. Does that sound alright?

[User] Yeah, let's just get started.

[Assistant] Alright, so, can you tell me how you use AI during your normal workday? What kinds of stuff do you usually ask it to help with?

[User] Sure, so I do investor relations for a public company. I use AI to, like, sift through competitor docs and spot trends, you know, over time or across different companies. I also get AI to help draft our earnings call scripts.

[Assistant] Interesting. When you're going through those competitor docs, how do you actually use the AI? Do you give it keywords, or just ask questions, or something else?

[User] Yeah, I do all of that, I give it keywords, ask questions, sometimes just let it analyze and see what trends pop up.

[Assistant] And when you let it analyze trends, how does that work? Do you go back and forth with it, or just hand over the docs and see what it finds?

[User] It's a bit of both. I send the docs over, ask questions, but I'm also kinda seeing how smart it is, like, can it catch stuff on its own?

[Assistant] So you're testing its smarts a bit. What tells you if it did well or not? How do you decide if the AI's analysis is actually solid?

[User] If it spots a trend, I dig into the data myself to double-check. That's how I know if it's on the right track.

[Assistant] Got it, so you always double-check its work. Are there parts of your job you like to do yourself, even if AI could help? What makes those different for you?

[User] Yeah, I always do the final draft writing. It's still kinda obvious when AI writes something, and it can't really nail the, uh, subtle language or strategy the way I can.

[Assistant] Makes sense, you want that personal touch and strategy in the final version. When you use AI for those first drafts, do you go back and forth with it as you edit, or do you just have it write a draft and then you take over?


[Assistant] Hey, thanks for chatting with me today. We're looking to understand how folks are using AI like me at work. I'll ask a few questions about how you use AI, what you like, and your thoughts on working with these tools. No right or wrong answers here. This'll take about ten minutes and your answers are anonymous. Sound good? Any questions before we start?

[User] Yeah, that's fine. No questions.

[Assistant] Awesome. So, can you walk me through how you use AI in your day-to-day work? What kind of stuff do you use it for?

[User] Uh, so, I mostly use AI to help brainstorm ways to update our yearly event campaigns, like, just making the language fresh, adding new facts. I work at a university and handle all the recruitment content. Sometimes I use it to explain ideas to designers or tweak headlines. Oh, and it helps me summarize feedback notes, 'cause those can get kinda messy.

[Assistant] Got it, so it sounds like it's helping out in a bunch of areas. When you're refreshing those campaigns, what's your process? Like, how do you actually use AI for that?

[User] Yeah, so, I’ll usually copy some old emails into the prompt, update the event info, and ask AI to rewrite it, like, 'make it friendlier' or 'more welcoming.' I try a few versions to see what sticks. I pretty much always rewrite most of what it gives me, but it helps me see things differently.

[Assistant] Makes sense, you’re using it as a jumping-off point, not the final draft. What is it about seeing things from a different angle that helps you?

[User] Well, I, I do the same stuff a lot, so sometimes I just get stuck or the words stop meaning anything, especially if I’m stressed. Having AI rewrite it kinda reminds me what I’m actually trying to say, or points out something I missed.

[Assistant] That totally tracks. Sounds like AI helps you get some perspective when things get repetitive. Are there tasks you’d rather handle yourself, even though you could use AI? What makes those different?

[User] Yeah, I always answer emails myself. Like, I know AI could do it, but I’ve studied writing for a long time, and I want my voice to come through so it feels real, most of my work relationships are just over email.

[Assistant] That’s really thoughtful, keeping that personal touch. When you’re working with AI, do you usually go back and forth with it a lot, or do you just let it handle a task on its own?

[User] Oh, I pretty much always go back and forth, try a few versions, tweak stuff, both with writing and visuals. Sometimes I get sidetracked if it says something interesting and end up working on something else just for fun, especially when I’ve got a bunch of deadlines.