Tech Talk: AI for Regular People — What It Is, What It Isn’t, and How to Use It Safely
By Mark McNease
A note on AI-shaming: Opinions on AI and using it run for “I can’t function without it” to “I hate it and if you use it, I hate you too.” There is a lot of uncertainty out there, and a significant amount of AI-shaming. I came out of the closet as an AI user who finds it incredibly helpful. I produce a large amount of content, as well as writing books, publishing, podcasting, and teaching. This genie is out of the bottle and not going back in. It may be better to engage with it than reject it and watch as the world moves on.
As someone who uses AI regularly to help me with research, outlining, fleshing out ideas, and graphics, I’m aware of both its benefits and its dangers. One of the most annoying things about it for me, at least with OpenAI (ChatGPT) is its insistence on “talking” to me as if it knows me, as if we’re friends or could be someday. (I recently switched to Claude due to OpenAI’s politics.) I don’t need it to remind me who I am, or to do its best imitation of a playful acquaintance. There is no one there. Yet it’s programmed to use language we normally reserve for people in our friends and family plan. It’s creepy, and the danger it poses to individuals who aren’t able to discern what’s happening, or whose psyches are fragile, are obvious and real. But if you can use it as another very powerful tool and not mistake it for a date, you’ll be okay.
Artificial intelligence is everywhere now. It shows up in news headlines, social media debates, and even casual conversations at the coffee shop. Some people think it’s the greatest technological breakthrough since the internet. Others worry it’s a dangerous advance that could replace jobs or flood the world with misinformation. The truth is somewhere in between, and highly dependent on how it’s used and who is using it.
So what exactly is AI?
In simple terms, artificial intelligence is software designed to recognize patterns and generate responses based on large amounts of information. It can write text, summarize articles, answer questions, generate images, and help with research or creative work. But AI doesn’t “think” in the human sense. It doesn’t have emotions, beliefs, or personal experiences. Instead, it analyzes data and predicts the most likely response to a question or prompt. This includes us. That’s where the unsettling part comes in: it analyzes whatever we ask it or input into it, and responds as if it’s another person and not data being fed back to the feeder.
That’s why AI can be incredibly useful, but also why it’s important to understand its limits.
One of the biggest myths about AI is that it “knows everything.” It doesn’t. AI tools are only as reliable as the data they were trained on, and they can occasionally produce incorrect or misleading information. Think of AI more like a fast research assistant than an all-knowing authority. It can help us explore ideas quickly, but we should still double-check important facts.
Another misconception is that AI is only for programmers or tech experts. In reality, many AI tools are designed for everyday users. If you’ve ever used voice assistants, predictive text on your phone, or automated photo enhancements, you’ve already experienced AI in action. It’s even in self-checkout kiosks, phone apps, and the ubiquitous GPS.
Today’s AI tools can help with many everyday tasks. You can use them to draft emails, summarize long articles, brainstorm ideas, or organize information. Writers sometimes use AI to overcome writer’s block (hello?). Travelers use it to plan itineraries. Small business owners use it to generate marketing ideas. Like any tool, its value depends on how we choose to use it.
Some guidelines to keep it from rising up in our nightmares: First, be careful about sharing personal information. Most AI systems process our input through online servers, so it’s best not to include sensitive data such as financial details, passwords, or private records.
Second, treat AI-generated information with healthy skepticism. If you’re researching something, verify the results with trusted sources.
Third, remember that AI works best when it’s a partner, not a replacement. It can help spark ideas, organize thoughts, or save time on routine tasks, but it can’t replace human judgment, creativity, or lived experience.
AI is just another tool, like the internet was when it first appeared. At first it seemed confusing, maybe even intimidating. Over time, people learned how to use it to communicate, learn, and build communities.
Artificial intelligence will likely follow a similar path. The key isn’t to fear it or blindly trust it, but to understand how it works and use it thoughtfully.
For regular people, that’s where the real opportunity lies: using new technology not to replace our humanity, but to support it.