I may not be an AI expert, but I’m curious. Over the last 18 months, I’ve been throwing myself into learning and discovering new tools. What I’ve discovered is that when used effectively AI can boost my productivity by 200% (and yes – I’ve done the sums).

I work for Made By Dyslexia, a global charity with a mission to teach the world the brilliance of Dyslexic Thinking, empowering it every home, every school and every workplace.  We advocate for the strengths of Dyslexic Thinking and ensure that all dyslexics are equipped to thrive.

From our research, we know that Dyslexic Thinking is the perfect partner to AI. The skills that dyslexics have, like creativity, lateral thinking, problem-solving, adaptability and interpersonal skills are the humans skill that AI cannot replace. But equally, AI can help mitigate the challenges many dyslexics face. For example, 71% of dyslexics are above average at communicating. But 89% of us struggle with spelling, punctuation and grammar.

So, what is AI to me? I see it simply as an efficiency and creative tool—one that can amplify what I do in my day to day role by removing barriers, prompting ideas and supporting with frameworks. Imagine having limitless expertise and resources available at your command—it’s like magic, but grounded in very real, practical use. AI, in my hands, becomes an extension of my Dyslexic Thinking strengths bringing my voice to life with smart prompts, drawing on my experience and giving me more time to focus on what matters most.

It also supports my challenges meaning I no longer get that dreaded white page moment or having to write copious amounts of meeting notes to remember everything that was said and needing actioned. I no longer panic about overwhelm, my spelling or slow processing of lengthy documents. AI can summarise and simplify for me.

In my role as Director of Partnerships & Philanthropy, it’s like having an expert by my side for proposal writing, strategy work or brainstorming ideas. I have created my own LLM that knows me and also Made By Dyslexia. It’s my go to tool that helps with my research, craft pitch proposals, generate my own personal social media content, and give feedback on anything related to my work.

I also use AI in more personal ways. Just the other day, I used AI to translate Spanish exchange communication with the host family for my daughter and plan a festival trip with equipment and meals which I could share with a friend. Whether it’s finding recipe ideas, getting quick medical advice, or tackling school tasks, AI has been a go-to tool. These everyday uses show that AI isn’t just for experts; it’s available to anyone with a little curiosity.

However, I know not every organisation sees AI the same way. Many are rightfully cautious – concerned about risks around privacy, data security, or accuracy. There are risks, no doubt, and we need to be mindful. AI isn’t perfect; it can offer incorrect information, or inherit biases from the data it was trained on. But the solution isn’t to avoid AI. Instead, it’s about education – learning what AI is, understanding its benefits and risks, and becoming advocates for responsible AI use.

For fundraisers like me, AI has the potential to change the game. It allows us to share our stories – of the work we do and the impact we have – in ways that truly resonate with our stakeholders. It opens doors to creative campaigns, better donor engagement, and, for smaller charities, reduces the need for big agency budgets. AI is available to us all, unrestricted by expertise or cost.

The best thing we can do is reframe our thinking around AI. While AI aggregates at super speed it doesn’t replace the human skills like; lateral thinking, interpersonal skills, resilience and creative thinking. We need to identify how it will disrupt, where our opportunities lie, and which tools can benefit us most. With a willingness to learn and an eye for possibility, we can use AI to make a bigger impact than ever before.

So, while I’m no AI expert, I am an AI enthusiast, and I embrace it with curiosity and excitement. AI isn’t here to replace us – it’s here to empower us. As Emad Mostaque of Stability.AI said, “Embrace AI with all your might and all your curiosity and you can change the world.” I truly believe that.

To learn more about Dyslexic Thinking and empowerment in the workplace, read Made By Dyslexia’s intelligence report here.