Be Honest - Do You Bring Your Own AI to Work?
Around the world, employees share a common frustration:
They’ve got too much work on their plates, and their time is bogged down by tedious and repetitive tasks. A growing number of workers, particularly those in knowledge-driven roles, are warming up to the idea of AI as a time-saving productivity tool. Call it Bring Your Own AI, an emerging trend where people incorporate AI tools into their daily workflow, regardless if their employers know about it. A recent LinkedIn and Microsoft report keyed into what’s driving the popularity of BYO AI:
Around the world, 75% of knowledge workers use AI at work to keep up with the pace and volume of their tasks.
Nearly half (46%) have adopted AI over the past six months.
Among these users, 78% are bringing their own AI tools to work.
BYO AI isn’t just a Gen Z trend: 78% of Millennials, 76% of Gen X, and 73% of Boomers say they’re also bringing AI tools to work.
Yet, 52% of people who use AI at work are reluctant to admit they do so for important tasks, fearing that employers might consider them replaceable.
With summer on the horizon, expect to see the BYO AI trend pick up a lot of momentum. From family vacations and day trips to BBQs and just enjoying the warm weather, people want to work smarter and faster in the summertime. Thanks to generative AI tools, employees can focus their time on what matters—and, of course, free up their time for seasonal fun.
Here’s our suggestion: If you’ve got a call coming up but you’re really sitting poolside, try Rev’s AI Transcript Assistant and Summaries to capture every key detail without leaving your lounge chair.
Productivity tips for podcasters
Claire McInerny is the co-creator and producer of Refamulating, a new podcast hosted by Julia Winston that celebrates all the different ways to make a family. Earlier this month, she sat down with Rev on The Rough Draft to share tips about the BYO tools she trusts for creating and producing, as well as navigating the podcast industry.
Always ask for voice memos
“I'll send Julia text messages like, ‘Can you send me a voice memo where you answer all these questions later?’ That way I can use exact phrases she uses, or words that she would use and then she can later truly make it sound like her voice. I found that works really well, especially because I can actually hear where she's getting excited.”
HOT TIP 🔥 → Instead of sending a voice memo, download Rev’s free mobile app to record, transcribe, and share audio from anywhere.
Going indie = More control
“The Patreons and the Substacks of the world allow you to create whatever you want to create without the red tape of big companies. The people who like your stuff just directly support it—it's like the public radio model that existed for a million years. And so, that's what a lot of independent people are trying to rely on: I'm going to make a product that people are very loyal to, and feel so connected to, that they're willing to give $5 a month. That's where shows like ours—that have a very niche focus and aren't just two influencers chatting—can thrive because we're tapping into a specific audience.”
Don’t transcribe interviews yourself
“When I started working in public radio 12 years ago, I hand transcribed every single interview I did—which was the worst. It took hours and hours and hours. So now, we don't have to do that: I can just put my audio file in, it transcribes, and I can make it perfect later once I've chosen tape. That technology is huge and saves so much time.“
Social media marketing is worth it
“Social media does help people find niche content, and it helps content creators like us find our niche audience. For Refamulating, one of the areas we decided to spend money on—when we don't have a lot right now—is on someone to do social media. She's making Reels and TikToks because we know there are so many people who will connect to these episodes, but they have to know we exist.”
Watch the full interview on YouTube or listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
The Best Speech Tech Story of the Month
In this fascinating story, The New York Times columnist Kevin Roose se recaps the month he spent chatting with 18 different A.I. characters. Ultimately, he predicts that millions of people will seek out A.I. for companionship—and maybe even develop real friendships with A.I. personas. “What if the tech companies are all wrong, and the way artificial intelligence is poised to transform society is not by curing cancer, solving climate change or taking over boring office work,” he asks, “But just by being nice to us, listening to our problems and occasionally sending us racy photos?”
How are you using AI and speech tech at work?
Let us know in the comments below and we’ll include your answer in a future newsletter 👀