AI is no longer confined to tech teams. In boardrooms and executive offices it’s part of everyday conversation. For you, the opportunity is clear. Rather than worrying about job displacement, many senior EAs are exploring how AI can reduce friction, sharpen productivity and create space for higher-level work.
After more than 30 years working across technology and business, I see familiar patterns. I was part of the teams that introduced SMS and the first iPhone to Australia – and I notice that every digital shift follows the same arc. First comes hype and hesitation. Then, once practical applications emerge, adoption accelerates. You, as an EA, are positioned perfectly to lead that second stage.
Too often AI gets dismissed as a simple text generator. Yes, it can draft emails and take meeting notes. But that’s surface level. The real value lies in how you brief it, direct it and use it to improve decisions. Think about early Excel usage. Most people started by adding figures. Only later did they realise its power for forecasting and modelling.
Executives might try a free tool, type one vague instruction and walk away unimpressed. This is where you step in. As an EA, you’re the skilled communicator who can demonstrate what’s truly possible.
Mastering the brief
Prompting is how you brief an AI tool. Think of it like explaining a task to a new colleague. The more context you provide, the stronger the result. Weak prompts create generic, forgettable output. Strong prompts deliver sharper insights and significant time savings.
The advantage for EAs is obvious. Communication has always been your strength. Now it’s also the coding language of AI. Once you master prompting, you can apply the skill across almost any platform.
Try this four-part structure for consistent results:
– Define the role: “You are my executive assistant.”
– Specify the task: “Summarise this board paper.”
– Provide context: “For a CEO who values concise insights.”
– And set the output format: “Three bullet points and a recommendation.”
This method works because it mirrors how you’d brief a trusted team member. Save effective prompts and reuse them to build a library of reliable instructions.
New language, new opportunities, new concerns
Being across emerging AI terms isn’t about jargon; it’s about credibility. When your CEO or IT director mentions these concepts, you want to understand and translate them into action.
Natural language coding means you can now type in plain English instead of needing technical coding skills. For EAs, that means direct control over tools and outcomes without requiring developer support.
Vibe coding is shaping outputs to match your organisation’s tone. You might brief AI to present information as an executive summary or make it sound confident but warm. Without this layer, results risk sounding robotic and disconnected from your culture.
EAs consistently raise important questions around privacy, ethics and maintaining authentic voice. And these concerns deserve practical responses, not dismissal.
For privacy, set clear rules. If you wouldn’t put information on Google or social media, don’t paste it into an open AI tool. De-identify data where appropriate. When preparing board packs, run drafts through prompts that respect privacy then check against source documents.
For ethics, keep a log of where you’ve used AI. This builds transparency and trust. Reference your organisation’s style guide and save prompts that reflect your executive’s tone.
Where efficiency gains matter
EAs are already proving how AI translates into practical benefits. A recent Australian Copilot trial found public servants saved an average of one hour every workday. That’s equal to three extra working weeks reclaimed each year!
These aren’t abstract promises. Board pack preparation cut from six hours to 90 minutes. Inbox triage reclaiming up to five hours weekly. Meeting minutes that automatically flag action items. Research summaries completed in one afternoon rather than two days.
Every hour saved is an hour you can reinvest in higher-level work, such as supporting your executive’s priorities, preparing for board meetings or contributing to company strategy. AI isn’t replacing your role. It’s clearing the way for you to play a bigger one.
