Artificial Intelligence (AI) is quickly becoming a valuable workplace tool, but many managers still wonder where to begin. The good news is that getting started with AI does not require technical expertise or major process changes. Like any management tool, its greatest value comes from applying it to real business challenges.
UCLA Administration hosted Summer of AI: Innovation in Practice to showcase how managers are using AI to reduce administrative burden, improve decision-making, and develop new leadership capabilities. The most successful examples share a common theme: AI supports the work, while people continue to provide judgment, context, and final decisions.
Consider these three use cases for practical ways to get started.
Before you begin: Use UCLA-approved AI tools and follow applicable guidance when working with confidential, sensitive, or employee information.
1. Use AI as a Research and Analysis Partner
Managers regularly review reports, proposals, policies, budgets, and other documents. AI can quickly summarize information, compare options, identify themes, and highlight key risks.
Bill Sweeney from Events & Transportation (pictured above) used AI to compare multiple vendor proposals against evaluation criteria, helping him focus less on sorting through information and more on making an informed recommendation.
Try this prompt:
“Review these documents and summarize key themes, risks, opportunities, and questions for further investigation. Present the results in a comparison table.”
Leadership Benefit: Spend less time gathering information and more time exercising judgment.
2. Use AI as a Leadership Practice Coach
Many leadership challenges come down to communication. Difficult conversations, stakeholder meetings, presentations, and employee feedback discussions all require practice. AI can role-play workplace scenarios, provide feedback on your responses, and help you refine your communication style.
Priyanka Srivastava from Digital & Technology Solutions created an AI coaching environment that simulated real workplace situations and provided feedback on clarity, confidence, framing, and executive presence. By practicing before important conversations, she strengthened her leadership communication skills over time.
Try this prompt:
“Act as a leadership coach. Give me a realistic workplace scenario. Let me respond first, then provide feedback on my clarity, confidence, and effectiveness.”
Leadership Benefit: Build confidence and communication skills before high-stakes conversations occur.
3. Use AI to Visualize and Communicate Ideas
Sometimes the challenge isn't developing an idea. It's helping others understand it.
AI can help managers create visuals, mockups, and concept illustrations that make ideas easier to explain and discuss. Whether you're redesigning a process, planning a new service, or proposing a change, AI can help turn abstract concepts into something stakeholders can see.
David Kim from Facilities Management used AI to generate and refine visual concepts for projects, helping stakeholders understand possibilities earlier in the planning process. The result was better conversations, faster feedback, and clearer communication.
Try this prompt:
“Help me visualize this idea for stakeholders. Generate three concepts, explain the advantages of each option, and identify questions stakeholders may have.”
Leadership Benefit: Improve understanding, alignment, and engagement around new ideas.
Final Thought
AI is not just a productivity tool. It is a leadership tool.
Managers who develop AI skills today will be better equipped to analyze information, communicate ideas, learn new concepts, and support their teams in an increasingly complex workplace. Start small. Pick one task, experiment, and learn from the results.
The goal isn't to become an AI expert. It's to become a more effective leader.
To see more real-world examples of how UCLA managers are using AI to improve decision-making, build leadership capability, streamline workflows, and strengthen communication, visit the Summer of AI: Innovation in Practice website. The showcase features practical use cases from leaders across Administration who are applying AI to solve everyday business challenges while keeping human judgment at the center.
Leadership Tip: As you explore the examples, don't focus on the technology itself. Focus on the problem being solved. The most successful AI users didn't start with "How can I use AI?" They started by asking, "What's slowing me down?" or "How can I be more effective?" That's the best place to begin.
Resources:
- Continued AI Learning Opportunities: UCLA offers an AI Foundations training for those interested in building confidence with responsible use concepts, prompting basics, and practical administrative applications.
- Responsible Use Guidance: Designed to support thoughtful experimentation and collaboration.
- The Summer of AI: Innovation in Practice (videos coming soon)
Interested in reviewing prior months’ topics? Visit our Monthly Management Tips website.
Do you have feedback, questions or a suggested topic you would like to learn more about? Please email: managementtips@ucla.edu.
Want to receive Monthly Management Tips emails? Sign up for our list!