TURN SOMETHING YOU HAVE INTO SOMETHING USEFUL
Give an existing document, collection, or piece of information a new purpose with AI.
What this project is
Start with something you already have but don't use as effectively as you could. It might be a document, spreadsheet, notes, photographs, a list, a collection of records, or other information.
Ask AI to help you transform it into something more useful.
Good things to start with
An old document or report
A spreadsheet
Meeting notes
A collection of photographs
A list of information
Notes from a class or presentation
A collection of recipes
A personal reference file
Information you've collected but never organized
Start with this prompt
I have [describe what you have]. I would like to turn it into something more useful. Ask me questions about what I have, what I want to accomplish, and who will use the result. Then suggest several useful ways I could transform it.
Work through the project
1. Start with what you have
What information or material are you starting with?
2. Decide what would make it more useful
Who could use it, and what could they do with it?
3. Give AI the material
Upload the file, paste the information, or describe the material.
4. Ask AI for possibilities
Have AI suggest different ways to organize, summarize, transform, or reuse it.
5. Create and refine the result
Choose the most useful idea and work with AI to develop it.
PACT reminder
Purpose — What are you trying to accomplish?
Add Context — What does AI need to know?
Converse — What needs to be changed or improved?
Test — Does the finished result actually work?
Things to watch for
AI may reorganize or summarize your material in ways that lose important details. Compare the result with the original. Check names, numbers, dates, quotations, and other facts.
If the material contains private or sensitive information, think about what you are comfortable uploading to an AI service.
Your first step
Find something you already have that could be more useful.