INTRODUCTION:

Welcome. You're listening to Links at Bain and Gray, a catalogue of podcasts centred on all things business support in the workplace. Our aim is to bring you interesting and relevant content that will keep you up-to-date and thriving in your role.

Fiona’s Background and the Creation of Carve

Tray: Fiona, welcome and thank you for taking the time today to talk to me. Tell us a little bit about your background before Carve.

Fiona: I started my career as an EA, working for a VC founder in London, and then shifted into an L&D role. I spent over 12 years building leadership development programs. I became obsessed with why EAs aren't invested in the same way leaders are. This led me to think about how I could help EAs carve out their progression paths. As AI emerged with the launch of ChatGPT, I realised this was the key to unlocking capacity and helping EAs transition into more strategic roles.

The Role of AI in Executive Assistance

Tray: You mentioned how you saw the need for AI tools in assisting EAs. Can you explain what AI is broadly, and specifically how it relates to the EA space?

Fiona: AI, particularly generative AI, is a technology that can create new content from simple prompts. With tools like ChatGPT, we're now able to write reports, structure presentations, and get feedback on projects - this is a game-changer. AI is no longer just for tech experts; it's accessible for everyone. Tools like ChatGPT allow us to create more content faster and more efficiently.

AI Tools and Their Benefits for EAs

Fiona: One of the powerful ways AI can help EAs is by automating repetitive tasks. Tasks like processing expenses, summarising meeting transcripts, or even drafting emails can be done much quicker, saving hours of work each week. EAs can now focus on high-value, strategic tasks instead of basic admin.

Tray: Are executives generally open to their EAs using AI tools?

Fiona: Yes, I find that executives are usually more open to AI than assistants, who tend to be more risk-averse. EAs, due to their roles dealing with sensitive data, often have concerns about privacy, which can act as a barrier.

The Future of the Executive Assistant Role

Tray: With all these advancements, where do you see the Executive Assistant role evolving? What does it look like in the future?

Fiona: AI will be both an evolution and a revolution. Over the last 75 years, the role of an executive assistant has been transformed by technology, from word processors to cloud computing. Now, AI is the next step in that transformation. While some transactional roles may disappear, more strategic roles will emerge, such as Chief of Staff. The key will be for assistants to adapt and use AI to free up time for higher-level tasks.

AI’s Impact on Career Progression

Tray: With AI automating much of the routine work, how do EAs progress in their careers?

Fiona: AI allows EAs to take on more strategic work and make a stronger case for career progression. By embracing AI tools, EAs can automate mundane tasks, leaving more room for growth and leadership responsibilities. In a year, they might be able to say, Look at how much my role has evolved. They could then advocate for promotions or higher pay as a result.

Practical Uses of AI in Business Support

Fiona: At Carve, we’ve seen the adoption of large language models like ChatGPT and Copilot in business support roles. These tools help with writing emails, summarising meetings, drafting reports, and editing content. They're also used for project planning, event coordination, and even processing expenses. One of the key advantages is the ability to use AI as a thought partner, helping to problem-solve or offer a different perspective.

Adopting AI and Getting Started

Tray: For someone who’s new to AI, where should they start? How can they educate themselves?

Fiona: I recommend starting with ChatGPT. Even if your organisation hasn’t rolled it out yet, you can still sign up for a free account and use it for personal tasks to get familiar with its capabilities. There are plenty of resources available, including guides tailored to executive assistants, which can help improve your skills in using AI for work-related tasks.

The Launch of Carve AI

Tray: Tell us a bit about Carve and what you're doing to help Executive Assistants.

Fiona: At Carve, we’re on a mission to equip Executive Assistants with AI skills to boost their career growth. We offer the world’s first AI course specifically for EAs. This seven-week, cohort-based course helps EAs discover how to integrate AI into their daily workflows. We also provide tailored workshops for teams and organisations, helping assistants adapt AI into their roles effectively.

Tray: Fiona, thank you so much for sharing your insights today. It’s been a pleasure to hear about the transformative role of AI in the EA profession.

Fiona: Thank you for having me, Tray. It’s been a pleasure to discuss the future of EAs and AI with you.