Drew Colthorp
Software Development Practice Lead, Atomic Object
Drew Colthorp is a seasoned software development leader with nearly two decades of experience at Atomic Object, a consultancy that crafts innovative software products. As the Practice Lead of Development, Drew empowers Atomic's developers to deliver exceptional results for clients while fostering rewarding careers. His leadership philosophy centers on equipping people with the tools and skills to analyze, take ownership, and thrive in their roles.
On The Schedule
10:15am
45 minutes
Cyborgs and Centaurs: Leveraging LLMs as Professionals
Large language models (LLMs) are rapidly transforming the landscape of knowledge work, with early adopters reporting productivity and quality gains of 40% or more. But as AI capabilities grow, so does the need for principled approaches to human-machine collaboration.
In this talk, Drew Colthorp—software leader and Practice Lead of Development at Atomic Object—will share hard-won lessons from the frontier of AI-augmented work. You'll learn:
Insights from a recent Harvard Business School study on the impact of AI on knowledge work and consulting, highlighting the potential for significant productivity and quality improvements
Frameworks for navigating the uneven terrain of LLM capabilities, from the "centaur" model of strategic task division to the "cyborg" approach of tight human-AI integration
Practical techniques for eliciting reliable performance from models like GPT-4 and Claude, including effective prompting strategies and the benefits of system prompt customization
Whether you're an experienced practitioner or just starting to experiment with AI tools, you'll come away with a clearer understanding of how LLMs can enhance your work, along with battle-tested strategies for integrating them into your process. Join us to explore the future of professional practice in the age of AI.