First Drafts in a Flash + SME Polish = Unlock

“Think of AI as your intern - not your oracle.” When I share this frame in workshops, webinars, casual conversations, or podcasts - something clicks. The mindset shift changes everything. It reframes AI from something intimidating and mystical that's going to do stuff to us into something practical, collaborative, and that we use to get stuff done.

When you approach AI as an intern - eager, fast, imperfect - you start to see its real value: not as a source of truth, but as a source of momentum; not as a replacement for expertise, but as a tool that accelerates it.

We're entering a new era of collaboration between humans and AI. But collaboration only works when both parties know their roles. That’s why I anchor to this simple formula:

First Drafts in a Flash + SME Polish = Unlock

Let's walk through it.

First Drafts in a Flash: When the AI Intern Gets to Work

The AI intern doesn’t know everything. It has read extensively, but knows nothing specifically until you give it focus. It knows a bit about everything and can quickly deepen its knowledge on a given topic. And it works fast - really fast.

That's what makes it valuable in the early stage of creative, planning, or writing tasks. It doesn’t tire, it doesn’t judge, and it never stares at a blank page wondering where to begin. It simply goes.

• Professional example: You’re tasked with drafting a quarterly engagement report. AI provides you a structured outline, a starting narrative, even a suggested tone. It may lack nuance or include filler, but it gets you 80% of the way there in just 20% of the time.
• Personal example: Planning a five-day family vacation. AI provides a draft itinerary based on your inputs—weather, kids' ages, interests, budget. It's not perfect, but it beats 10 open tabs and two hours of Googling.

The real value here isn’t getting a final answer - it’s getting a solid starting point. And that starting point is everything. A first draft from AI isn't final, but it's faster than doing it yourself from scratch. The reason? It’s easier to react than to create.

Once something's on the page, we can shape it, improve it, elevate it. That’s where we (humans) step in and excel.

SME Polish: Human Judgment, Experience, and Style

This is your part of the partnership. You’re the subject matter expert. You understand the nuances, the stakeholders, the tone, the context, and the real-world implications.

The AI intern can draft clean copy, but it can’t spot outdated data, fine-tune phrasing for a specific executive, or detect sensitivities tied to recent team dynamics. That's where SME polish matters.

You take the draft and make it true, tailored, and trustworthy. You bring your expertise (what’s correct), your intuition (what feels right), and your voice (what sounds like us).

• In the engagement report, the intern provides a solid narrative. You add the story behind the numbers, insert leadership initiatives behind the data shifts, and adjust the tone to reflect accountability rather than defensiveness.
• In the vacation itinerary, the intern gets the ball rolling. But you know your kids don’t do early mornings, and your spouse would love the hidden tea shop down a side street rather than the top Yelp pick. You add personalization that makes it actually work.

The Unlock: Accelerating Your Impact Through Collaboration

When you combine First Drafts in a Flash with your SME Polish, you unlock a new way of working - at higher quality, in less time, with less mental strain, and with more enjoyment. Here's what that unlock looks like in practice:

• Rapid Momentum: No more staring at a blank screen. AI generates a workable first draft fast, giving you immediate momentum.
• Lower Friction and Mental Load: Starting from scratch can be draining. AI lifts the initial burden so you can focus your energy on refinement.
• Higher Quality, Greater Accuracy: AI lays the groundwork, but your expertise ensures relevance, accuracy, and nuance—raising the overall quality.
• More Creativity and Innovation: With drafting off your plate, you can explore ideas, test approaches, and think more freely.
• Faster Delivery, Greater Agility: The combination of AI speed and human insight shortens timelines and boosts organizational responsiveness.
• Time for What Matters: Spend less time drafting and more time thinking strategically, making decisions, and creating value.

This combination changes not just how you work but how effectively you use your most valuable resource: your expertise.

Make the Shift: Put AI to Work for You

If you've been feeling uncertain or overwhelmed by AI, start with this simple mindset shift: AI is your intern, and you are the expert.

Don’t expect perfect answers - expect excellent first drafts and real momentum. Let the AI intern rapidly lay the groundwork, then step in with your unique expertise, intuition, and experience to polish the draft into something truly valuable.

This isn’t about AI replacing your expertise; it's about partnering with AI to amplify your impact. When you embrace this partnership, you'll start smarter, finish stronger, and reclaim your energy for the work that truly matters.

Try it today: Pick one task on your plate - an email, report, or presentation - and let your AI intern take the first pass. Then use your SME polish to make it shine. That’s the unlock.