Artificial intelligence is becoming increasingly prevalent in daily life, but many people are still unsure how to use it effectively. As part of a new series, “Inside AI,” we spoke with artificial intelligence expert Todd Earwood about simple ways to start using AI now. Earwood said AI works best as a tool to help people make decisions, not as a replacement for human judgment.

Practical Applications of AI

Earwood suggested thinking of AI like a highly-skilled intern — useful, but still in need of direction. He said users can provide that guidance from a computer, tablet, or smartphone, and that getting better results often comes down to how you ask questions — whether you want advice, information, or help completing simple tasks. One example Earwood gave was meal planning, where you can take a picture of your fridge or pantry and ask AI for recipe suggestions based on the ingredients you have.

Earwood also said AI can help with everyday tasks such as creating to-do lists, organizing projects, summarizing long emails, and brainstorming ideas like home decorating or planning a trip. He used AI to plan a spring break trip by asking it to research restaurants based on his family’s preferences.

For beginners, Earwood suggested starting by telling AI what you want to do, then asking what information it needs from you to help. This approach allows AI to guide the conversation and identify details it needs to give a better answer. Earwood said learning to use AI is a skill that improves with practice, and that the key is to start with small tasks, ask questions, be specific, and verify important information.

Original reporting: WLKY Louisville — read the source article.