Beyond the Prompt

A few years ago, AI was a futuristic concept. Today, Artificial Intelligence can do most of the tasks within a few seconds. But the interesting thing is how different approaches can be used. AI is no longer limited to answering questions; it has become a tool for exploring new ideas and perspectives we never knew existed. Although it is helping us grow and automate tasks, an important question arises:

Are we learning to use AI effectively?

This was exactly the idea behind the interactive session on Artificial Intelligence tools, led by CA Kamlesh Bansal, organised at the Biyani Group of Colleges. By joining the session, students got the opportunity to learn about various AI tools and how these tools can become a part of their academic and professional journeys.

AI: More Than a Chatbot

When we hear the term Artificial Intelligence, the first thing we think of is chatbots and asking them questions to help us perform a task like completing an assignment. Although these are useful, there is so much more to artificial intelligence.

There are many different tools available. Some can help us understand long documents; others can help us with presentations and writing. Some can create audio and videos using simple prompts. There are even tools to help us organise our ideas and make creative digital projects.

A key point highlighted by CA Kamlesh Bansal in the session was to try and look past the tools we already know. He mentioned how sometimes when we think AI can’t help with a certain task, it could be because we don’t have enough information. There are so many tools available to help with different tasks, and often they are there; we just don’t know.

This helps us change our view on technology. Rather than instantly assuming we can’t use AI for certain tasks, we can look into whether there is a tool to help.

This also highlights the importance of staying curious and looking into new tools. We aren’t just learning how to use one popular tool; we are learning how to utilise AI.

Different Tool for Different Work

There are tools designed for different tasks, from gathering information to making notes, from generating images to creating videos.

So, here are some tools that were discussed in the session:

1. NotebookLM - For Learning Materials.

One of the tools covered was Google’s NotebookLM. This AI tool helps you research and learn using the sources you provide.

Students can often struggle with long PDFs, notes, research papers and study materials. Using NotebookLM can help you to organise and easily explore your content.

You can upload your notes, PDFs and sources and ask questions. It will summarise documents, extract key information and answer questions based on what you have uploaded. It can also create an audio summary of your content.

For example, you have a long research paper to read. Instead of spending hours finding the important points, you can use NotebookLM to create a summary. You can also ask questions and focus on the key points.

However, while you still need to refer back to the original document, it can help with quickly navigating through your content.

Another interesting aspect of this tool is its ability to create an audio summary, which can let you listen to the audio version of your sources.

2. Google Flow - Bring Your Ideas To Life Visually

While NotebookLM helps you understand your information, Google Flow will help you creatively.

This AI tool helps you create video clips. You can use simple prompts to create videos.

For example, if you want to make a short video but don’t have the technical skills to create it, tools like Flow can help.

All you have to do is explain the type and purpose of the video, describe scenes, add your preferences, and just upload your prompt.

You can also create various clips and arrange them to create a more continuous visual.

This can be a great opportunity for students who are interested in Journalism, Advertising, Media, Communication and Content Creation. If you are doing a digital story project, you can experiment with how your idea would look visually. If you are a content creator, you can experiment with how you could present your idea.

What makes this really interesting is that you are no longer just consuming digital content. You can experiment with creating digital content. Your idea can become a visual project.

Although Flow can generate creative videos, you’re still the one who has to give proper instructions and prompts.

3. Other Tools – For Creating Presentations, Writing and more.

The session also covered other areas of AI. Like you can create presentations, audio, writing and digital resources. You can organise your ideas when creating a presentation; structure the information and content; create outlines; and experiment with different structures using AI.

AI writing tools can help you generate catchy hooks for your introduction, create a blueprint for your piece, write better, and consider other styles of writing styles. It can also help you create audio and digital resources.

These tools can be really useful for students. Students can use these tools to gather and organise information for note-making and assignments. In short, you can utilise AI throughout your project.

However, it is important to realise that while these can help improve your work, they shouldn’t do all the thinking for you. While your presentation may look impressive and your paragraph sound good, you may not actually understand the topic.

The aim should be to help develop your ideas.

AI and Academics

It is slowly becoming really important for us to understand AI.

Because its use is going beyond just performing tasks.

It is changing the way we study and prepare for opportunities in the working world, which makes knowing about new tools important.

When preparing for an exam, you can use AI to help you organise your study materials, simplify a complex topic, solve your doubts, and create summaries.

When doing a research project, you can use AI to explore a topic and create questions.

If you are interested in Media and Content Creation, you can experiment with prompts, visuals and audio.

This can benefit any student no matter what academic stream or profession they are in.

However, perhaps the important thing is knowing how to recognise a problem and find the right tool to help

While technology can help us, it won’t automatically give us the understanding we need.

The future of AI isn’t just about what the machine can do but what we can do by knowing how to use it.

The Other Side

As there are multiple possibilities, it is important to take into account the limitations.

Sometimes the information given by AI is not correct. Sometimes AI will give you answers that seem logical but may be incorrect, so it is very important to check what AI gives you.

While using AI to understand complex concepts and improve your presentation, if you do not understand the concept or the presentation, then it is pointless. AI should be seen as a support to use, rather than becoming totally dependent on it. And, you should also think of the ethical side of using AI too. While it can be helpful for completing certain tasks, it is our responsibility to use it correctly.

Adapting to the AI World

AI is advancing quickly, and new tools are being created daily. While it is not possible and also not necessary to keep up with all the new ways AI can be used, it is important to have an open mind and be curious.

During the session at Biyani Group of Colleges, students got a glimpse beyond chatbots and learned how AI can help with our learning, research, work and creativity. One of the most important things to take away from this session was that you should neither be totally reliant on AI nor be afraid of it; instead, try to understand it, ask questions, try things out and learn how to use it wisely.

Overall, there is more to AI and its possibilities, so try to explore other AI tools as well and also learn to identify when AI can help you and use your judgement.

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