How to actually use AI for IT work instead of just hype
Most discussions about artificial intelligence rely on vague hype rather than concrete, day-to-day applications. System administrators and IT professionals struggle to figure out what can actually be automated because consultants don't have answers and messy existing environments make integration feel like more trouble than it is worth, leaving teams stuck in a cycle of FOMO without clear use cases.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
- 1Using AI tools like Claude to create and edit Confluence documentation
- 2Generating flyers and infographics
- 3Writing script drafts for automation tasks
- 4Building local dashboard overviews for endpoints and calendars using chatgpt sites
- 5using the software primarily in Excel or limiting its use to basic tasks
- 6Using internal staff who are already reasonably good with AI tools
- 7Relying on a dedicated internal tech team with AI and workflow specialists
In their words
Unedited, most upvoted first, each linked to the thread it came from.
“I ask people all the time “what do you want to do with it”. Never a valid Or sometimes any response”source ↗
“I just don't get what can be automated via agents. But maybe it's just because the way our environment is currently a mess i just don't see AI helping but making more work to program for crazy”source ↗
“My staff keeps sending it to me to apply, but I am ambivalent about it - I don't feel like we have a full year's worth of needs that two full time "Claude experts" with no relevant work experience will be able to address.”source ↗
“Am I looking at this wrong?”source ↗
“Anyone using these tools for back end stuff? I've found it handy primarily in Excel. Curious to know if I'm missing anything else that might be useful to use.”source ↗
“What are some basic or extravagant AI agents IT users use to make their day easier or more streamlined? I am struggling with ideas but every time we ask a paid consultant to tell us, what do other people use that might make our lives easier in this profession, it's like no one really knows.”source ↗
“No one knows what to do with it. Just FOMO.”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
- 3When is it okay to use AI for product photos?
- 4How to use AI in grant writing without getting flagged
- 19Why does fixing AI mistakes take longer than doing it myself?
- 4Why am I being forced to use AI at work?
- 3Why am I getting falsely accused of using AI to write?
- 3How to let AI update CRM data without breaking hidden workflows