We Asked You About Artificial Intelligence. Here’s What You Told Us
Background
Some of you may remember seeing the invitation last month to participate in a survey about adoption rates and practical applications of AI in your workplace. The survey wasn’t high-minded or purely academic … it was simply practical recon intended to provide direction for future Juntos leadership development workshop topics and content.
And by asking YOU to participate, we asked people who are already running businesses, juggling some serious time management issues, serving your customers, and working hard to stay ahead of the pack.
(If you didn’t see the invite earlier, here it is again and you’re welcome to respond now if you’d like → Link to Survey)
The questions intentionally captured a wide range of experience, from early adopters to cautious experimenters. We asked how you are using AI, where you struggle, what concerns you, and what kind of future training would be most helpful.
Who Responded
Most respondents identified as business owners or entrepreneurs, with a smaller group of educators and general professionals. Overall, the responses reveal a community that is curious and experimenting, but not yet fully integrating AI into their daily operations.
Notably, no respondent reported concerns serious enough to stop them from using AI tools. That suggests openness, even among those who remain cautious.
What People Know and Use
Most respondents rated their familiarity with AI concepts around four out of five. About one-third use AI regularly and with confidence, while the majority are still learning through experimentation.
ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini were the most commonly mentioned tools. DeepL stood out for translation, particularly for Spanish. Several respondents noted that they choose tools based on the task rather than committing to just one, treating AI like a toolbox instead of a single solution.
How AI Is Being Used
AI is most often used for research (sometimes replacing Google searches), writing emails and documents, brainstorming, business planning, marketing, learning new topics, and overall improving personal productivity.
Respondents were clear about the challenges. The biggest issues include learning how to ask better questions, making AI output sound human rather than corporate, and tuning the responses for the specific context or local culture.
The takeaway is straightforward. AI can be useful, but using it effectively requires skill and intention.
Does AI Actually Help?
Results were mixed. Some reported significant productivity gains. Others saw moderate improvement in specific areas, while a few experienced only minor benefits so far. One comment captured the general tone well:
“I am getting in the habit of asking it many of the questions that arise in business all day. It is not always right but usually better than the person sitting next to me.”
For most, it functions more like a capable assistant than a replacement for thinking.
One especially valuable insight emerged from the survey: the importance of creating a clear master prompt that instructs AI to be concise, honest, and critical rather than overly positive. This single step dramatically improves output quality and helps users ultimately get more value.
The entrepreneurs seeing the greatest benefit have identified specific bottlenecks where AI performs well. Saving even a few hours each week adds up over time and creates space for higher-value work.
Concerns and Cautions
The most common concern was over-reliance. Several respondents warned against allowing AI to replace active thinking and the motivation to learn. Others raised concerns about misuse, particularly around deception and ethical usage.
Across responses, one principle was consistent: AI output must be reviewed, questioned, and verified. It is a tool, not an authority.
The healthiest approach is to let AI handle mechanical tasks such as research and first drafts while humans retain responsibility for judgment, ethics, and relationships. That balance preserves both effectiveness and integrity.
Also, concerns about sharing confidential information with AI tools are valid and healthy. While AI conversations are not public, these tools should not be treated like secure vaults—sensitive personal, financial, or client details should never be entered. The smart approach is to use general descriptions, placeholders, and examples so you gain value from AI without risking confidentiality or trust.
In Closing
We were excited to see that all of the responders were open to practical applications of AI, engaged, and still learning. No one professed to have mastered these tools, but few are ignoring it. That creates an opportunity for us to continue to help bridge the gap between curiosity and confident, effective use … and the guidance to us for future AI-related topics was clear.
Thank you! to the folks that shared their experiences and insights. Your honesty helps ensure that the education and training remains practical, relevant, and grounded in real business life.
For those who have not yet experimented with AI, the door remains open. The question is not whether AI will shape the future of business, but whether you will engage it thoughtfully and early, or wait until the pressure is higher.
