AI (or Artificial Intelligence, for those who are tired of acronyms) is everywhere these days: buzzing in everyday conversations, making headlines, shaping industries, and transforming our lives—sometimes without us even realising it.
You might have a bunch of questions: What on earth is AI? Why is it called AI? Where did it come from? Why should I care about it? How can it help me? Should I be scared of it? You may have even Googled this (or asked ChatGPT!) and been presented with an overwhelming amount of information. You might be too shy to ask anyone to explain it—or you might have asked, only to receive a hundred different answers.
Don’t worry- I’m here to provide you with a brief introduction and do my best to inform and hopefully excite you about AI!
Why have I bothered to write about AI?
I have worked as a Product Manager in AI for six years now. I am constantly amazed by its capabilities (especially over the last couple of years), and I don’t want this knowledge to be limited to just those working in tech. AI isn’t just a futuristic concept anymore; it is already shaping your world in ways you might not realise.
What even is AI?
At its simplest, artificial intelligence involves teaching machines to think and learn like humans. How does it do this? Imagine a student learning from textbooks and becoming well versed in a topic. AI does the same thing, but instead of learning from textbooks, it uses huge amounts of data from various sources to recognise patterns, learn from them, and make decisions.
Whether it’s predicting which stocks will rise, creating Spotify playlists based on your favourite songs, providing relevant recommendations on Netflix, or helping doctors diagnose diseases more accurately, AI is all about making smart and accurate predictions and decisions-doing so at a greater speed than humans can. The doctor example is a fascinating one- AI has effectively been given lots of images (or other forms of data e.g. videos) of what diseases look like. It will also be given lots of images where there a disease isn’t present. It will then learn as best as its can to identify and learn the patterns in the images where disease is indeed present, versus when it is not.
This sounds scary, right? Will AI replace humans? I get asked this question a lot (almost as much as, “When are you getting married?”). Based on my experience and learning over the last several years, I’d say no. I see AI as a smart assistant that works alongside us. Just because AI has helped diagnose a disease accurately doesn’t mean the doctor will simply accept it. The doctor will still check the diagnosis, figure out what to do next, and take action. Already, you can see some limitations of AI.
Why AI won’t takeover your job
I completely understand why AI might seem intimidating, but trust me, it’s not here to take over. While AI can do amazing things—like analysing massive amounts of data or handling repetitive tasks quickly, it has many limitations. For starters, AI doesn’t actually “think” like humans do. It can’t feel emotions, be super creative, or understand things the way we do; it simply follows patterns based on the data it’s trained on. If that data is poor, limited, or biased, AI can make mistakes too. For example, if you rarely use Deliveroo or only use it occasionally, it doesn’t have enough data to provide relevant recommendations. It might show you generic options or suggest pizza again if that’s the only thing you’ve ordered.
Additionally, AI still needs humans to guide it, correct its mistakes, and make important decisions. It’s great for working alongside us, but it’s not about to replace human creativity, empathy, or problem-solving anytime soon. So, while AI might change how we work, it’s not something to fear—it’s just a tool we can use to make our lives easier. One of my friends even used ChatGPT to draft a best man speech, then added his personal touch!
Applications of AI
You may not realise it, but AI is already embedded in your daily routine. Whether you’re driving and Google Maps takes you on an unexpected route (because it has data on current traffic conditions) or scrolling through your Instagram feed and seeing those targeted shopping ads (“omg how did it know that I’d like this?!”), that’s AI understanding your preferences based on ALL of your likes and engagement.
I love exploring the applications of AI in different fields. Take cricket matches, for example. AI-powered tools can analyse every single ball bowled, helping teams strategize better by understanding their opponents’ strengths and weaknesses. It’s like having a super-smart coach who knows every nuance of the game-quicker than any human could process.
Ok great but what is ChatGPT?!
I wanted to specifically cover ChatGPT because I get so many questions about it. ChatGPT is a computer program designed to have conversations with people. It can understand your questions and respond in an understandable way. Think of it as a smart assistant that can help you with various tasks, like answering questions, giving advice, brainstorming ideas, or even just chatting for fun.
It’s useful because it can save you time, help you learn new things, and provide quick support on a wide range of topics. If you ask it something and the response is too complex, you can always say “hey, can you explain that in a simpler way?”. I often say “imagineI am a 10 year old trying to learn about this topic. How would you explain it then?”.
How is it different from Google? Google provides search results, while ChatGPT generates direct responses and can hold ongoing dialogues, allowing for more personalised and interactive conversations. Google is great if you need a variety of sources, real-time information (like the latest cricket scores), or are looking for a specific business. ChatGPT is ideal for conversational queries, explanations, summaries, or creative assistance.
Practice your AI skills
If, after reading this, you’re at least a little excited about AI, here are some fun activities to try:
– Start using ChatGPT (https://chatgpt.com/) and ask it questions! A fun exercise I recently tried was to tell it what ingredients you have in your fridge and ask it to generate a recipe using just those items.
– Check your recommendations on Netflix and consider why they were suggested to you—you’re seeing AI in action!
– Use Duolingo to learn a new language. It learns how you learn best and creates personalised learning plans based on your progress. So, if you and a friend are both learning Hindi, your journeys on the app will likely differ.
So, the next time you hear about AI, don’t think of it as a distant, confusing concept. Think of it as a tool that’s already making life better, more connected, and more exciting for people all over the world.
Chandni Palan is a dynamic Product Manager with over six years of experience working at the forefront of AI-based systems. Her passion lies in creating innovative tech solutions while making technology education more accessible for all. Driven by her love for problem-solving and her commitment to inclusivity in tech, Chandni continually bridges the gap between complex technologies and user-friendly experiences. As a thought leader in her field, she not only manages cutting-edge products but also empowers others to engage with technology in meaningful ways.
