How can Insights team use new AI Presentation Tools
Here’s the original message from Taylor…
And below is my response to him—refined a bit for clarity and to share more broadly.
The Problems with AI Presentation Tools (For Now)
I’ve explored AI presentation tools like Beautiful.ai and Canva. They have impressive features, but here’s the challenge: most of our clients—large companies—are deeply entrenched in PowerPoint or Google Slides. Introducing a new tool often creates compatibility issues, making it hard to justify a switch.
Another hurdle is team adoption. Slides evolve constantly, getting passed around, tweaked, and presented by different people. If everyone isn’t using the same tool, things can break down quickly. For mid-size or larger companies, that’s a significant barrier.
Testing AI Tools Without the Hassle
I think we all should be curious about these new tools, and here’s a practical way I suggest to explore these tools:
1. Set a Performance Goal
Assign one or two team members to test AI tools with a clear scope—no more than 20 hours this quarter.
2. Test Real Workflows
Have them build slides using actual company data to see if the tools simplify processes or add complexity.
3. Evaluate Feasibility: Ask:
Does this tool genuinely make our work better or faster?
- Can the team, internal clients (sales/marketing), and IT realistically adopt it?
I’ve used this approach with my team. By keeping the testing limited and time-bound, we’ve explored new possibilities without disrupting workflows.
AI for Thinking, Not Just Doing
Even if you stick to PowerPoint and Excel, AI can help you think better. Tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, or Claude unlock brainstorming and ideation potential while you work with “legacy” tools.
Here’s how I use AI daily especially when it comes to presentation-related help
- Drafting Outlines: Great for structuring decks when I’m stuck.
- Feedback on Content: Reviewing outlines for gaps or blind spots.
- Headline Ideas: Brainstorming or fine-tuning messaging.
- Research Assistance: Summarizing news or filings before sales calls.
- Brainstorming: Designers use it to visualize tricky data or decode jargon.
AI works best as a thought partner. For instance, if you’re showing market share changes, ask ChatGPT how to visualize it. The key? Use clear, detailed prompts—the better your input, the better your output.
Quick note: Microsoft Copilot hasn’t worked for me yet—I find other tools more useful. I also use a professional version of ChatGPT that ensures confidentiality.
Start Small, Then Expand: If you haven’t yet, get a paid AI subscription. Test it for writing emails, summarizing research, or generating slide ideas. Share what works with your team—you’ll be surprised how quickly it sparks I Inspiration.
Final Thoughts: You’re the Architect
AI tools are powerful, but they’re not a substitute for your critical thinking and expertise. You are the architect of your recommendations. It’s up to you to frame the problem, ask the right questions, and guide AI toward meaningful answers. Tools like ChatGPT don’t know your business context—you do. Your role is to connect the dots between your reality and your category or customer’s needs.
Start with the basics before turning to AI.
Define the problem clearly, create your outline using a storytelling framework (like SCQA), and map out a direction for your recommendations. Once you’ve done the thinking, use AI to enhance, or speed up your work.
Ultimately, AI is a tool, not a crutch. Be assertive, stay in control, and use it to enhance your analysis and outputs. Done right, it becomes a companion that amplifies your skills, improves quality, and accelerates workflows, while leaving the deeper, strategic thinking to you.
The takeaway? You’re not outsourcing your brain to AI—you’re sharpening it.
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