Beyond the AI Hype: Stop Using AI Like a Search Engine

The strategic approach that separates AI winners from the disappointed majority

Want to see how I use AI in my legal practice? Check out how I summarized a 200pg transcript in less than 10 minutes using Claude!

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Here's what three years of AI implementation in Signal Lawyers and Lawtrepreneur has taught me: the technology isn't the hard part - knowing how to use it strategically is.

AI has become integral to how we deliver value to our clients and the lawyers part of our mentorship group.

Not because it replaces human judgment, but because it amplifies human expertise in ways that benefit everyone we serve.

To truly use AI effectively, you need to understand how AI works.

Most professionals are using AI like a fancy search engine. They're missing the real opportunity.

The difference between AI users who get mediocre results and those who transform their work comes down to one thing: understanding how AI actually thinks.

The Pattern Recognition Reality

Here's what most people don't realize: AI doesn't actually "know" anything.

Instead, it recognizes patterns in massive datasets and predicts the most logical next response based on those patterns.

Think of AI as having near-perfect memory but no real experience. It can tell you every recipe ever written, but it can't cook a meal or create a meal.

Its no wonder that prior iterations of AI platforms are sometimes described as simply being effective "next word predictors".

Platform Selection Matters

Another thing to keep in mind: not all AI platforms are created equal. You should use a tool that strengthens your professional/business capabilities without compromising your ethical standards.

The three major players - ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini - each have distinct strengths that align with different professional use cases.

While I haven't used Gemini, here are my thoughts on Claude and ChatGPT:

• ChatGPT excels at speed: Perfect for quick content creation and brainstorming

• Claude prioritizes depth: Better for complex analysis and professional workflows

• Different conversation styles: ChatGPT gives direct answers; Claude asks clarifying questions

Our AI Usage Principles

Most professionals and businesses rush into using AI without establishing guardrails on how AI is to be used in their business. That's like hiring an assistant without setting expectations—it rarely ends well.

I firmly believe that every practice and business will eventually need to have policies on AI Usage consisting of two parts:

1. Platform Standards (which tools you'll use) and

2. Usage Principles (how you'll use them").

Platform

When it comes to our professional services, we use Claude exclusively because Anthropic designed their entire system around professional-grade privacy standards:

1. Anthropic has built privacy into their core architecture;

2. Conversations conducted on the paid subscription plans aren't used for training without explicit consent; and

3. Anthropic's commitment to responsible AI development and transparency around data practices are more aligned with my own.

Our AI Usage Operating Framework

As AI becomes more essential for how we conduct business: the question isn't whether to use it - it's how to use it responsibly.

While the jury is still out on what responsible use of AI looks like, here are the five principles that govern how AI is used to deliver value:

1. Keep Private Stuff Private. Client information, passwords, and sensitive business details never touch AI tools. Non-negotiable.

2. Good Input = Good Output. Vague questions produce vague answers. Clear, specific instructions generate useful results. The quality of your prompts determines the quality of your outcomes.

3. Start Small, Build Up. Don't try to accomplish too much at once ("Analyze this witness statement"). Break big tasks into smaller tasks ("Give me a timeline of events described by the witness"). Build on successful outputs. Clarify output that isn't as good. Don't worry, you aren't going to hurt AI's feelings.

4. Play to AI's Strengths, Avoid Weaknesses. AI is great at brainstorming ideas, organizing messy information, and spotting patterns. However always assume that AI is a predictive tool based on past data and/or information given. It's not in a position to make forward looking business decisions for you.

5. AI Supplements, Not Replaces Humans. Use AI as a smart assistant that makes your work and your colleagues easier and faster. You remain responsible for important choices and final decisions.

Your Next Move

I'm convinced mastering AI integration will become foundational to sustainable growth for every business. Those that don't will struggle to compete. Those that rush in recklessly will create expensive problems.

I also believe that businesses using AI to deliver value have a responsibility to minimize potential harms resulting this technology used without proper training.

That's precisely why developing an AI usage operating framework is fundamental to everything we're building - it's a reflection of our commitment to our team, those we serve and our values.

So if you are looking to be more reliant on using AI in your business and practice workflows, start building your AI Usage Operating Framework today.

• Define your principles.

• Train your team.

• Make your standards public.

Because the question isn't whether AI will transform your business (it will)... it's whether you'll lead the transformation or let it happen to you.