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AI as Your Brainstorming Partner
40-45 minutesBest for: People comfortable with technology or already exploring AI
What You'll Do
Use AI to help brainstorm and develop ideas for a real project or challenge in your life. This could be business-related, community-related, or personal.
1Choose an AI tool
2Identify a real challenge or project you're working on
Examples:
- Planning an event for your community group
- Marketing ideas for your small business
- Organizing a fundraiser
- Redecorating a room
- Planning a family trip
- Writing content for social media
- Creating a workshop or presentation
3Start a brainstorming conversation with AI
Use the starter prompts below or create your own
For Small Business
Prompt - Copy and paste this:
I run a [type of business] in rural Montana. I want to attract more customers but I have a small marketing budget. Can you help me brainstorm 5 creative, low-cost marketing ideas?
For Community Organizing
Prompt - Copy and paste this:
I'm organizing a [type of event] for my community. I need ideas for activities that would appeal to families with kids and also adults. Can you suggest 10 ideas?
For Personal Projects
Prompt - Copy and paste this:
I want to [describe your goal]. I'm not sure where to start. Can you help me break this down into manageable steps?
5Review the AI's suggestions
Which ideas resonate with you?
6Dig deeper with follow-up questions
Examples:
- "Can you expand on idea #3?"
- "What would be the first step for [specific idea]?"
- "Can you help me create a timeline for this?"
- "What resources would I need to make this happen?"
7Refine the ideas
Examples:
- "Can you adapt these ideas for a rural community?"
- "Which of these would be easiest to do in the winter?"
- "Can you make these ideas more budget-friendly?"
8Get something actionable
"Can you create a simple action plan for [your favorite idea]?"
What You Should Have By The End
- •A list of ideas from AI
- •At least 2-3 follow-up questions asked
- •One idea that you're actually considering using
Reflection (Optional)
•Did AI suggest anything you wouldn't have thought of yourself?
•How did the conversation flow? Did it understand your follow-ups?
•Would you use this approach for future projects?
General Tips
Getting Unstuck:
- •If AI gives you an unhelpful response, try rephrasing your question
- •Add more details or context
- •Ask it to try again with specific changes
Technical Issues:
- •If the AI tool isn't loading, try refreshing the page or switching to a different tool
- •Make sure you're connected to wifi
- •Ask Connor for help!
Remember:
- •There's no "wrong" way to do this
- •Experimentation is encouraged
- •You can switch tasks if you want to try something different
- •AI makes mistakes - use your judgment
What to Bring Next Week (Optional)
- ✓If you had an interesting conversation, be ready to share what you learned
- ✓Bring questions about AI that came up while you were experimenting
- ✓If something didn't work well, we can troubleshoot together