AI tools are no longer just the domain of data scientists or tech enthusiasts. With platforms like ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot becoming more accessible, businesses of all sizes can now use AI to streamline tasks, improve efficiency, and unlock new creative potential. In this blog post we walk through four practical AI use cases you can apply in your day-to-day work.
Each use case is simple, effective, and suitable for beginners. Whether you’re in marketing, admin, HR, or management, these examples will help you understand how to integrate AI into your workflow using tools you’re likely already familiar with.
You can watch the video version of this guide above, where either ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot can be used for each example.
1. Image and Photo Creation
You don’t need to be a designer to create stunning visuals anymore. With AI-powered tools like ChatGPT’s image generation features and Microsoft Copilot’s Designer, you can create professional-looking images or edit photos in seconds.
What can you do?
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Generate images from scratch based on a text prompt – eg “a modern office in Newport with diverse professionals working on laptops.”
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Edit existing photos, such as removing or replacing backgrounds or enhancing images for social media posts or presentations.
- Enhance logos by upscaling and making transparent so they can be used on any coloured background.
Why it’s useful:
Visual content gets more engagement, whether in a LinkedIn post, a PowerPoint deck or a product brochure. AI can help non-designers quickly produce high-quality visuals without needing to learn complex software or hire a designer.
For example, a marketing manager can use ChatGPT to generate banner images for social media posts, or Copilot to create branded graphics within PowerPoint for an internal report.
2. Repurposing Content
One of the most valuable ways AI can help professionals is by turning one piece of content into many. For instance, with just a few prompts, ChatGPT or Copilot can transform a blog post into:
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A LinkedIn post
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A promotional email
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A PowerPoint slide
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A script for a video
Why it’s useful:
This saves hours of manual work and helps you maintain consistency across platforms. AI ensures your messaging is adapted appropriately for each format and audience.
For example:
A course administrator at NILC could take a course summary and ask Copilot to rewrite it as a promotional email for past attendees and a 3-point LinkedIn post to reach new prospects. Within minutes, you have fresh, tailored content ready to go.
3. Summarising Information
If you’ve ever been sent a lengthy report or a dense policy document, you’ll know how time-consuming it can be to extract the key points. That’s where AI summarisation comes in.
Using ChatGPT or Copilot, you can quickly summarise:
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PDFs and Word documents
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Web pages
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Long email threads
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Meeting transcripts
Why it’s useful:
Summarising saves time, helps with decision-making, and ensures you don’t miss critical information when scanning documents. This is especially helpful for busy professionals juggling multiple projects or working across departments.
For example, an operations manager receives a 20-page project proposal. Rather than reading the full document, they paste it into ChatGPT and request a one-paragraph executive summary with three key risks. Within seconds, they’ve got what they need to move forward.
4. Document Comparison
AI is particularly useful in recruitment and HR, especially when comparing documents like CVs and job descriptions. With ChatGPT or Copilot, you can:
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Highlight where a candidate’s CV matches or lacks the job criteria
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Identify which applicants are a better fit
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Summarise and compare the suitability of multiple CVs in minutes
Why it’s useful:
This dramatically cuts down on admin time during the hiring process and provides a clearer picture of how each candidate aligns with your requirements. It also helps reduce unconscious bias by focusing on objective criteria.
For example, an HR officer use Microsoft Copilot’s in OneDrive to compare three candidate CVs, with no need to open the documents. Copilot provides a concise comparison, highlighting skills and experiences, helping the recruiter make faster, more informed decisions.
How to Get Started with ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot
If you’re new to these tools, here’s a quick primer:
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ChatGPT is accessible via chatgpt.com and can be used in its free or paid versions. You simply type a prompt, and the AI generates a response.
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Microsoft 365 Copilot can be accessed via m365.cloud.microsoft/chat is embedded into tools like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook as part of Microsoft 365. It can also be accessed through Edge browser or Teams, making it easy to use within your existing workflow.
Both tools are intuitive, and you don’t need to learn any coding or complex software to benefit. Just type what you need – like “summarise this CV” or “turn this paragraph into a LinkedIn post” – and let the AI do the work.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re a business owner, an administrator or a team leader, AI tools like ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot are ready to help. They’re easy to use, and incredibly practical once you get into the habit of including them in your workflow.
These four use cases – image creation, content repurposing, summarisation, and document comparison – are just the beginning and we’ll explore additional use cases in future blog posts. As you become more confident with AI, you’ll likely discover even more ways it can make your work easier, faster, and more effective.
Want to Learn More?
At NILC we help beginners and professionals across Wales and beyond get to grips with all aspects of business including the fundamentals of AI.
For training and advice on all the latest AI tool features, book one of our AI Training Courses.
