We all love a good shortcut. Especially when the work is piling up and there’s a deadline in 45 minutes. So you open ChatGPT, type in a prompt like “Write a business proposal for XYZ…” — and boom! It’s done. You tweak a few words, hit send, and get back to your day.
But here’s a truth a lot of professionals don’t want to admit: AI can make you productive — but it can also make you lazy. And in this era of endless automation, that laziness can cost you the one thing AI will never replace — your thinking.
A Growing Problem in the Innovation Space
Across Nigeria’s tech and creative ecosystem, we’re seeing the same pattern. People outsource core business thinking to machines — from brand pitches to blog content to investor emails.
Not guidance. Not structure. The entire work.
The result? People are sounding the same. Proposals feel templated. Emails are sterile. Founders can’t pitch without ChatGPT on standby. Professionals freeze when asked to explain their own strategies. You’re building fast. But what are you really building?
The Data Doesn’t Lie
A recent global workplace survey by Deloitte revealed that:
- 64% of professionals have used AI to write emails or reports
- 48% say they feel “dependent” on AI tools for basic communication
- Only 22% of respondents could confidently explain AI-generated insights without assistance
It’s happening here too. From LinkedIn copywriters to founders at pitch events — AI is quietly becoming the backbone of deliverables. But also… the enemy of depth.
Why It Matters
You won’t always have time to “ask ChatGPT.” At that strategy meeting? You’ll have to think on your feet. When the investor asks, “Why this market?” — it’s your insight that needs to show up.
When you apply for global grants, remote jobs, or accelerator programs, they’re not just assessing your writing. They’re assessing your mind. Your clarity. Your logic. And trust me — you can’t fake that with an AI-generated PDF.
Use AI — But Use It Like a Pro
This isn’t about ditching the tools. It’s about learning how to work with them, not under them. Here’s how:
- Start with your ideas. Let AI refine them — not replace them.
- Fact-check everything. AI makes mistakes (and hallucinations are real).
- Train your voice. Don’t let AI erase what makes you distinct.
- Add value. Use AI to move faster, but make sure you’re still thinking deeper.
- Invest in clarity. Learn to explain your work in plain English — without prompts.
Final Word
You don’t want to be that guy who can’t send an email without help. Or the founder whose investor deck looks AI-generated — because it was. Or the analyst who can’t think without autocomplete.
In this AI era, the real skill isn’t typing prompts.
It’s being the human who knows what to do after the response shows up.
So yes, use the tools. But protect your originality. Hone your thinking. Sharpen your voice. Because the future of work won’t just be automated. It’ll be human-powered and AI-enhanced — and the best minds will know how to use both.
