This text first appeared within the WorkLab publication. Get unique insights on AI and the way forward for work by subscribing right here.

As leaders and their groups construct new habits with generative AI, it’s useful to consider work in three classes. First, there are the duties we are able to hand off to AI virtually solely. Subsequent: these the place AI can provide us a lift to get higher outcomes. And at last, there’s the significant, human work for which AI frees up time. As we spend much less time on the mundane—73 p.c of early customers of Microsoft Copilot mentioned it helped them full duties sooner—we make extra room for the work that conjures up and energizes us, and that brings probably the most worth to our organizations.    

So, which class does a given activity or challenge match into? Image a pyramid: The duties that make up your day kind the fundamental constructing blocks, which you’ll be able to slot into totally different layers, from the bottom to the summit. Right here’s the blueprint:   

Tier 1 
The bottom layer of your workday consists of duties which can be, effectively, fundamental. That is the not-particularly-exciting work you possibly can strip off your to-do listing and hand over to AI. Some examples:  

• Each week, you sit by an attendance-optional, 60-minute standing replace on Microsoft Groups as a result of there is likely to be 30 seconds in there that find yourself being related. With Copilot, take that hour again and comply with up later: “Did anybody point out my title?”  

• Abroad colleagues spin up a loooong e mail thread in a single day. As a substitute of studying each twist and switch of the controversy, ask Copilot for an government abstract with simply the important thing factors. 

• You’re rooting by information and channels to trace down an information level somebody talked about. As a substitute, simply ask Copilot to floor it: “Discover the gross sales projections for the Southeast area.” 

Time saved and mundane duties dispatched, you’re prepared for the following stage… 

Tier 2 
That is the work you’re good at, that you simply take pleasure in—and that you would be able to improve with assist from AI. Let’s say you’re writing a vital memo, e mail, or gross sales pitch. Copilot can produce the tough draft, then it might show you how to sharpen and enhance it as you make your edits. A number of issues you possibly can ask:  

• Does this writeup accomplish its goal?  

• Will it resonate with its supposed viewers?  

• What did I neglect to say?  

You bought that performed rapidly! Now you will have extra time to do your finest work. You’re prepared for… 

Tier 3 
What’s the apex of the workday? For many people, it’s after we get time to do our most significant work—the work that’s most human. When AI saves us time, we must always get into the behavior of constructing house for one thing rewarding. For those who use Copilot to skip a non-essential video name, be proactive about slotting in one thing significant as an alternative. For instance: 

• Work on that strategic or artistic challenge you’re at all times wishing you had extra time for.  

• For those who’re centered on being a greater supervisor, join with a direct report.  

• Refresh and recharge by taking a stroll.  

As you sit right down to work at the moment, have a look at your to-do listing. What are you able to faucet AI to do for you? What are you able to do higher your self with assist from AI? And with the time you’re saving, the place can you fit in one thing significant? It’s a brand new mind-set about work—and a brand new option to see the construction of your day.