Start Using AI Now - 3. Why Brainstorming with Generative AI is One Way You Don’t Need to Sweat the Details
In the world of AI-driven productivity tools, Generative AI (GenAI) has sparked both excitement and caution. Many business leaders wonder: If GenAI isn’t perfect and outputs need checking, what’s the best way to use it? To better understand why it’s essential to verify GenAI’s output, refer to my earlier article, . The answer to effectively leveraging GenAI lies in using it as a brainstorming partner. Here’s why this approach is powerful and how you can maximize it safely and effectively.
GenAI’s Strength in Idea Generation
Generative AI excels when used as a creative partner. While it can’t be trusted to always provide perfectly accurate information—think of its occasional “hallucinations”—it shines when producing an array of ideas, strategies, or fresh approaches. These tools operate on brain-inspired AI models, mimicking human thought patterns to generate content that feels new and unexpected.
Using GenAI to brainstorm can be especially useful for professionals looking for inspiration across various business functions, from marketing campaigns to problem-solving strategies. It expands the scope of what’s possible by generating combinations that might not occur to human teams alone.
Memory Features: Enhancing Personalization and Continuity
A standout feature of some GenAI tools is their capacity to remember past interactions. This is more than a convenience; it’s a potential game-changer for brainstorming. When a GenAI model recalls details about your previous sessions—such as your preferences, past projects, or ongoing themes in your work—it can tailor its suggestions more precisely. The result? More relevant, customized ideas that align with your unique business context.
However, memory in AI comes with caveats. As we move forward, the trend might shift toward personalized, private GPT environments with richer memory capabilities. For more on this, refer to my article, . This vision of creating customized, private environments underscores the importance of managing such memory privately, ensuring that sensitive data stays out of major software-as-a-service GenAI platforms.
To protect your data in the present, it’s essential to choose reputable, paid GenAI tools that offer robust security and clear data privacy terms . This not only safeguards your business insights but also builds trust as you integrate these AI capabilities into your workflow.
Real-Time Search: Amplifying Brainstorming Power
An often overlooked yet powerful enhancement to brainstorming with GenAI is real-time search capability. This feature allows AI tools to pull in the latest information, offering up-to-date context that enriches the brainstorming process. By combining real-time data with their generative abilities, these AI tools can produce ideas grounded in the current landscape, making your brainstorming sessions more relevant and effective.
While I aim to avoid emphasizing specific tools due to the fast-paced evolution of the AI industry, examples such as ChatGPT with SearchGPT integration and Perplexity demonstrate how real-time search functions can elevate brainstorming. These capabilities provide instant access to current data, making your idea-generation process not only creative but also contextually informed.
However, just as you wouldn’t fully trust a Google search to yield only verified, reliable information, you should apply the same caution with GenAI’s search-augmented outputs. Real-time search results from these tools can still be subject to inaccuracies, so it’s crucial to verify any information they provide before using it in decision-making or strategic planning.
Keep in mind that as you explore tools with these features, the landscape evolves quickly. Always assess how new capabilities align with your business needs and data privacy requirements.
Practical Steps to Safely Use GenAI for Brainstorming
Use AI for Inspiration, Not Final Decisions: Treat outputs as drafts or jumping-off points. This aligns with GenAI’s strength in ideation while mitigating risks from inaccuracies.
Opt for Memory-Enabled Services Thoughtfully: If you leverage memory features, verify the provider’s data policies. Ensure their terms clearly state how data is stored and protected.
Invest in Reliable AI Platforms: Free tools may be tempting, but paid versions often come with enhanced security protocols and professional support. This helps protect your sensitive business information and ensures consistent quality .
A Couple Examples: Leveraging GenAI in My Professional and Personal Life
To illustrate the power of using GenAI for brainstorming, here are a couple of personal examples that showcase how it can make a real difference, even in unexpected ways.
Navigating New Leadership Roles at bluefoxlabs.ai
When a few of us started bluefoxlabs.ai (BFL), I found myself stepping into the role of CEO, despite my deep roots in technology and not having an MBA. This sudden shift meant I needed to get up to speed on business strategies fast. To bridge that gap, I turned to GenAI as my “MBA partner.” I devoured business books while using GenAI to brainstorm, seek feedback on ideas, and refine strategies. It became an invaluable sounding board, offering diverse perspectives and allowing me to simulate discussions that helped clarify my approach. While I’m not suggesting that GenAI replaces the depth of an MBA, it became the tool I needed to launch BFL confidently when formal education wasn’t an option. Over time, my GenAI tool has learned a lot about BFL, making it even more effective at supporting my business brainstorming.
Personal Styling Assistance with a Twist
On a lighter note, I’ve always struggled to find clothes that fit well, and as I age, my waistline has been expanding exponentially. Comfort is my top priority, but I still aim to look respectable. Enter my GenAI tool: it knows my waist size, my preferences for comfort, and my style aspirations. When brainstorming outfit ideas or shopping strategies, it suggests options tailored to my needs. It’s funny how it works so seamlessly, helping me navigate something as personal as clothing choices. And because these interactions are about creative input rather than hard data, I don’t need to spend time verifying the results—it’s brainstorming at its best (although I do check with my wife from time to time).
Final Thoughts: Embracing AI’s True Value
These examples demonstrate how GenAI can be a flexible companion for idea generation, whether it’s guiding business decisions or solving everyday challenges. Even though some people believe GenAI isn’t that helpful because you need to check all its output, using it for brainstorming is one of the most powerful and practical strategies—and it’s probably the most frequent way I use it. You’ll likely find that most people on the Internet also mention brainstorming as one of their primary uses for GenAI (aside from improving grammar). Hopefully, this helps inspire your own approach, and I look forward to sharing more in the next article of this series!
Author’s Note:
The ideas and content in these articles come directly from me, but I do engage in conversations with AI to get feedback on my thoughts before producing the final pieces. While AI helps me refine the structure and flow, all the insights and ideas are my own. These articles are NOT robot-generated.