While we see talk everywhere about artificial intelligence, what impact will it really have?
First, we have to realize that we’ve been using artificial intelligence our entire lives. According to Maryville University, the concept of artificial intelligence can be traced back all the way to the 1940s, and formal research began a decade later. The term AI was coined by John McCarthy in 1955 to explain a branch of science concerned with creating machines with human problem- solving abilities.
Those 1970s calculators were, by definition, AI. The device you’re reading this on is, you guessed it, AI! In fact, the term AI or artificial intelligence is more of a branding buzzword than a descriptor of a specific type of technology. It’s the technology equivalent of “all natural” in food production.
Now, we’re hearing more about AI because of generative AI, agentic AI, and a few other branches making considerable strides. The question is, how can you leverage it to make an impact in your life?
The Benefits of AI
First, let’s address the benefits of AI. While there are different types, the overall benefits of AI include, in some cases, greater accuracy than humans, faster information parsing, and faster idea generation. In fact, AI has the capabilities of extending one person’s efficiency dramatically in the same way that a computer allows a professional to complete more work faster than someone relying on physical books, writing by typewriter, and snail mail.
The Drawbacks of AI
Second, we must consider the drawbacks. AI is not always accurate, as it hallucinates as it may generate information based on your query, whether it’s true or not. One must be careful not to upload copyrighted or sensitive data, and AI leaves a massive carbon footprint and leverages large amounts of water. There is an environmental impact, so we should be cautious not to overuse it or to find ways to offset our AI usage. I personally contribute a significant amount to an environmental charity annually.
Using AI Tools in the Workplace and at Home
My favorite use of generative AI in the workplace is using it as a brainstorming tool. If you’re looking for new product ideas or a creative way to motivate employees, asking for tools like ChatGPT and Google Gemini, then refining their answers can help generate ideas we would never have considered.
Adapting to using the latest AI in the workplace will not require prompt engineering for most professionals. In fact, it’s being integrated into much of the already existing technology. Microsoft Copilot is an excellent example of this. Salesforce is also deeply integrating AI.
The question we should answer is how we should adapt to using AI in the home. Generative AI can be especially helpful for brainstorming gift ideas, creating vacation or visitor itineraries, or taking pictures of the food in your pantry and refrigerator and asking ChatGPT to create recipes based on those pictures.
The more comfortable we become with using AI at home, the more we’ll come up with new and innovative ways to use it in the workplace.
