The Guardrail Metis Blog Posts

This Week, the Guard Rail is thrilled to have our first-ever guest blogger. Metis’ COO, Dr. Olivia Fletcher, has written a fascinating article looking deeper into AI and its use as a tool, not a replacement for human input and documentation. This comes on the heels of an exciting week at the RIC(REMS Industry Consortium) annual meeting, where our CEO, Michelleanne Bradley, presented and was on a panel discussing the intricacies of ethics and AI in the Pharmaceutical and Medical Device industries. Enjoy!

The Power of AI: How Large Language Models (LLMs) Are Transforming Document Creation by Dr. Olivia Fletcher

As the COO of Metis Consulting Services, navigating a world of information and crafting clear, concise documents is essential. Traditionally, this has meant dedicating significant time to research, writing, and editing. However, the landscape is shifting. Large language models (LLMs), like Gemini from Google, are emerging as powerful tools, streamlining the document creation process and allowing human expertise to shine even brighter.

Boosting Efficiency: From Blank Page to First Draft Faster

I have ADHD, and one of my primary executive dysfunctions is task initiation. This can mean that just typing that first word is a gigantic hurdle for me. LLMs can alleviate this initial hurdle by generating drafts based on specific prompts and topics thereby providing a starting point. This can be particularly helpful for:

  • Emails and Reports: Quickly summarizing key points from complex data sets or research papers allows you to focus on crafting a compelling narrative. LLMs are particularly good at recognizing patterns in data.
  • Blog Posts and Articles: LLMs can provide a well-structured foundation, outlining the main points and even suggesting relevant sources. 

This doesn’t eliminate the human touch; it simply removes the initial heavy lifting.

Enhancing Content: Fact-Checking, Research, and Tone

Accuracy and credibility are paramount in any professional setting. LLMs can assist in:

  • Fact-checking: By integrating with vast knowledge bases, we can verify the accuracy of information and provide citations. However, we are all aware of the case of the attorney who submitted a brief in court crafted by an LLM. That brief, full of fake cases the LLM had invented for the document, is an example of the danger of just letting an LLM run away with the work. The product of an LLM still needs human verification. 
  • Research: LLMs can efficiently scan through mountains of data and present relevant sources, saving you valuable time.
  • Maintaining Tone: Whether it’s a formal report or a casual blog post, we can tailor the writing style to match the intended audience.

Human Expertise: Where LLMs Fall Short and We Excel

While LLMs offer significant advantages, it’s crucial to remember that they are still under development. Here’s where human expertise remains irreplaceable:

  • Critical Thinking and Analysis: LLMs can synthesize information, but they cannot replace the ability to critically analyze data, draw conclusions, and identify the underlying significance.
  • Creativity and Originality: Human ingenuity in crafting unique arguments, presenting information in innovative ways, and weaving a narrative is unparalleled.
  • Understanding Nuance and Context: LLMs may struggle with the subtle nuances of language and the importance of context in specific situations.

The Future of Document Creation: A Collaborative Approach

The ideal scenario involves a powerful synergy between LLMs and human expertise. Imagine a world where:

  • LLMs handle the initial groundwork: Drafting emails, reports, and even initial outlines of more complex documents.
  • Humans take the reins: Editing, refining the content, injecting critical thinking, and ensuring the final product aligns perfectly with the intended purpose and audience.

This collaborative approach allows professionals to:

  • Focus on higher-level tasks: Freeing up valuable time for strategic thinking, client interaction, and core business functions.
  • Produce higher quality content: The combination of LLM efficiency and human expertise produces well-structured, informative, and impactful documents.

In Conclusion: LLMs are not here to replace human writers; they are here to empower them. By embracing and utilizing this new technology strategically, professionals like myself can work smarter, not harder, and achieve even greater results.

For more information on AI and the possible thorny issues involved, listen to the Queens of Quality podcast bonus season 2.3 with guests Emily Barker and Steve Thompson  S2.5

To start a conversation with Metis Consulting Services, please email us at:

hello@metisconsultingservices.com

*This blog post was written with the help of Gemini, Google’s LLM