How AI can help your team to BeUpstanding

OpenAI and their program ChatGPT is a gamechanger in how information is synthesised and delivered. While big issues, such as the implications of the program on the future of work are under discussion, for BeUpstanding champions, it provides a great opportunity to easily get ideas to help your team sit less and move more. We decided to put the program to the test.

We asked: What are ideas for a standing meeting?

The program wrote:

There are several ideas for conducting standing meetings:

Hold the meeting in a standing-only area, such as a standing desk or a huddle room, to encourage participants to stay on their feet.
Use a whiteboard or flipchart for brainstorming and note-taking, which allows participants to move around and engage with the material in a more active way.
Incorporate movement into the meeting, such as taking a short walk outside or doing a quick stretching routine.
Use standing or standing-height tables for seating, this will make it less comfortable to sit and encourage standing.
Use a timer to remind participants to stand up and move around during the meeting, or to take short breaks.
Make it a walking meeting, where participants walk and talk while discussing the agenda.
Have a standing agenda, which sets the expectation that the meeting will be conducted while standing and encourages active participation.
Encourage attendees to stand up and move around if they feel the need.

Note: It’s important to consider the physical ability of the attendees, and make sure that the meeting is accessible to all participants.

We asked: What are the pros and cons of a sit-stand desk?

The program wrote:

A sit-stand desk, also known as a height-adjustable desk, is a type of workstation that allows the user to switch between sitting and standing positions while working.

Some of the pros of a sit-stand desk include:

Reduces the risk of health problems associated with prolonged sitting, such as back pain and obesity
Increases energy levels and productivity
Improves posture and circulation
Enhances mental alertness
Promotes a sense of well-being
Can be used to help alleviate symptoms of conditions such as back pain, varicose veins, and deep vein thrombosis

Some of the cons of a sit-stand desk include:

Can be expensive
May require some time to get used to and adjust to
May not be suitable for certain types of work or tasks
Not all employees may want to or be able to stand for long periods of time
The adjustment of the desk may take some time
May not fit with the aesthetic of the office.

It’s important to note that a sit-stand desk is not a magic solution and it’s important to also incorporate movement and breaks throughout the day. It’s also crucial to consult with a health professional or ergonomic specialist to determine if a sit-stand desk is the right option for you.

Our verdict

Programs like ChatGPT can provide a great addition to support programs like BeUpstanding. Of note is that the AI did not provide automatically provide any references. We did ask what references it used to write the article, and a reasonable sounding list was provided, though a closer look showed a number of errors. Further, to be able to synthesise the information, it is important that there is quality information out there to synthesise! So this won’t be the death of evidence-based research. It will hopefully, however, provide an easy and (very) rapid way for consumers to access easy-to-read summaries of research. It will be great to hear from you on if and how you are using AI in your workplace.