I used to think AI was just for generating dense, jargon-filled content. And yes—it can do that (with a healthy dose of fact-checking from a trusted human expert). But what surprised me most—and what continues to energize me—is the role AI plays as a creative partner.

Over time, my relationship with ChatGPT has evolved. I still use it for precision writing, especially when I need to distill technical ideas for a specialized audience. But more and more, I find myself turning to it as a collaborator—a quiet coconspirator to ideate with of when I’m staring down a blank page or swirling in a half-formed thought.

The Technical Stuff Let’s start with the obvious: sometimes, you need language that sounds like it came from a code book. I’ve used ChatGPT to assist in describing technical aspects of my coworkers jobs:

1. Code Compliance & Safety Standards

When I needed to describe medical planning considerations for behavioral health, ChatGPT helped frame the language around safety, ligature resistance, infection control, and references to FGI Guidelines, NFPA, and ADA compliance. The result was clear, structured, and appropriately technical.

2. Technology & Automation

In a piece about storage innovations, I wanted to convey the growing interest in Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (ASRS) while raising a strategic question: “What should we automate?” ChatGPT helped me strike a balance between forward-thinking innovation and long-term planning language that resonated with industry readers.

But Then Came the Surprise

Where AI really started to shine for me was in the messy, exciting, not-so-linear world of ideation.

1. Naming My Brand

I was developing a personal brand that merged my background in architecture and design with my love for creative strategy and AI. I came to ChatGPT with half an idea: I liked the word “prompt,” but I wanted to explore more. We jammed on words like craft, construct, and build. We played with combinations. Eventually, we landed on PromptHaus. It captured both the spark of an idea and the northern European, structured aesthetic I love. It felt right.

2. Sparking a BD Strategy

Another time, I felt stuck on how to reinvigorate our approach to client engagement. I told ChatGPT I wanted something that felt more intentional, less transactional. We brainstormed concepts like “insight labs,” AI-powered trend recaps, and storytelling frameworks to help reposition our value. It wasn’t a magic answer—it was a conversation that got me moving. And that, more than anything, is what I needed.

A Shift in Perspective

The biggest takeaway for me has been this: AI isn’t just a tool for writing. It’s a space for thinking. It helps me move faster, think clearer, and feel more confident in my work.

It’s not replacing creativity. It’s a tool to be creative with!

And that’s a use case I never saw coming.