Generative AI tools like ChatGPT are transforming how businesses operate. Since its launch, ChatGPT has gained widespread popularity across industries, revolutionizing daily workflows and increasing productivity for individuals and teams alike. While many have already adopted it for routine tasks, professionals are still discovering new, innovative ways to harness its potential.
Below are five impactful ways to explore and integrate ChatGPT and generative AI into your work environment—based on real-world insights from industry leaders.
1. Experiment with the Technology
Adam Warne, CIO at retailer River Island, encourages professionals to begin exploring generative AI even if they’re not ready to fully deploy it.
“We’re using it to generate content ideas—blog posts, marketing content, product descriptions. But we haven’t moved to a production environment yet,” says Warne.
While he remains cautious, Warne is optimistic about the future of AI, emphasizing that rapid development means generative AI could soon be production-ready. His advice: start small, experiment, and stay informed.
2. Boost Efficiency in Daily Work
Brad Woodward, Head of Data at Hush, sees generative AI as a powerful tool to enhance team productivity.
“It’s not just about what it can do—it’s about how efficiently it can help us work,” Woodward explains.
He shares an example where he asked ChatGPT to generate database tables and sample data for a reporting model. Within seconds, ChatGPT produced thousands of entries—a task that would have otherwise taken hours.
For data teams, developers, and analysts, generative AI presents a new way to rapidly prototype, test, and automate repetitive tasks.
3. Focus on Real Business Use Cases
Prakash Rao, Group Head of Supply Chain Projects at Landmark Group, warns against using AI for the sake of trendiness.
“Without a business case, it’s just jargon,” he notes.
Rao believes the true value of AI will emerge when organizations identify concrete, impactful applications, especially in areas like supply chain management. He predicts a “trough of disillusionment” for those who adopt AI blindly, but says clear use cases will lead to multiplier effects and long-term success.
4. Choose Tools That Fit Your Industry
Robyn Furby, Technology Adoption Manager at NFU Mutual, believes education and caution are key, especially in regulated sectors like financial services.
“We’re exploring how to use tools like ChatGPT in a safe and appropriate way,” says Furby.
She’s particularly interested in Microsoft’s Copilot, which will integrate AI into Windows 11 and Microsoft 365. Furby highlights the importance of distinguishing between different AI tools—what to use ChatGPT for versus enterprise-grade tools like Copilot.
She stresses the need for a company-wide learning phase to guide safe and effective AI adoption.
5. Explore Broader AI Applications
Stephen Wild, Engineering Manager at 888 William Hill, is already using AI in several areas, including observability and fraud detection.
“We use AI through New Relic’s alerting service to reduce unnecessary alerts, and we use it to detect bots abusing promotions,” says Wild.
He sees great promise in the evolving capabilities of ChatGPT, especially as Microsoft integrates generative AI into collaboration tools like Teams. While he notes limitations in the free version (such as knowledge cutoffs), Wild believes AI will continue to play a growing role in optimizing operations and security.
Final Thoughts
The message from all these professionals is clear: Generative AI is here, and it’s evolving fast. Whether you’re in marketing, IT, data, finance, or operations, tools like ChatGPT can supercharge your productivity—if used thoughtfully and strategically.
Now is the time to experiment, identify practical use cases, and educate your team. The organizations that adapt early will be the ones leading in innovation and efficiency tomorrow.