This is my disclosure: I used AI to help me write this blog with LOTS of edits and back-and-forths between me and Gemini to ensure my message and intentions were well-rounded and intentional (things I struggle with getting sidetracked with lots of tangents and writing issues). Following this process, I reflected on the experiences and used AI to generate questions to clarify my writing intentions, draft outlines, and mock-ups. I fed it my writing and edited suggestions with intention.
This is my note to readers on AI-assisted writing:
You will have to write, or others will readily discern your poor attempt at passing off AI as your writing. At times, it may be more work. AI is full of bugs and idiosyncrasies, and you may reach many dead ends and have to start again with better prompts. And while AI can assist with reworking your writing goals and structure, it doesn't fully handle all the necessary aspects effectively.
Do not come up with half-baked AI writing for your projects – I have been there before. AI-assisted work is new, so you have to tread with caution and make sure your AI projects are authentic and accurate.
Given that AI-assisted work is a relatively new approach, it's essential to proceed carefully and ensure your final output remains authentic and truthful to your voice.
I acknowledge the ongoing debate. I believe AI is merely a tool, not a magic bullet, and its value in writing lies in assisting with crafting ideas and intention, the merit of which you can still judge. I tried to craft and find my voice in this after many hours.
You've got to have that clear vision, that sparkly north star guiding you, or you can have endless brainstorming sessions where you can get lost in a digital AI meadow of possibility.
Personally, as I explored the various applications of AI and this new frontier, I fell down the magic AI rabbit hole many times over this month. I started with a simple question and asked myself, "What about this possibility for AI?" Before I knew it, I made a million different tangents and hadn't moved toward any goal.
So, after wrestling with my tendency to get lost in all the options, I quickly learned that simply throwing vague ideas at AI gets you nowhere.
When my initial AI-fueled dreams threatened to take over my entire life (and then some!). I had to scale back for my sanity. And honestly, AI can be addicting, so it's important to remain mindful.
Intentionality is KEY. I needed a firm, solid picture of what I wanted, or I would be stuck in a digital maze, not making any progress. AI can generate a lot, but it will not have that intentionality in writing, planning, and the many other functions it can perform.
It was after diving into Chip Huyen's "AI Engineering" and a month of dedicated study that the whole concept of "prompt engineering" finally snapped into focus for me. It was a genuine "aha!" moment. It felt like learning to speak a new language, but instead of conjugating verbs, I was meticulously crafting instructions.
It wasn't always smooth sailing, though. I had my share of unproductive tangents, asking vague questions or lacking the necessary specificity, which would send the AI wandering off into the left field.
In those moments, I just needed to begin again. It's like trying to untangle a knotty string, sometimes you have to snip it and start again.
Look, as awesome as these AI tools are, it's super important to remember one HUGE thing: this isn't an "easy success" button. Just because you can ask an AI to create a plan for you doesn't mean you can kick back with a glass of lemonade and expect a magical transformation into a perfect plan, media content, or any project you want.
Success hinges on consistent hard work, unwavering dedication, and sharp critical evaluation. The AI can give you the map, but you're the one who has to walk the path, put in the hours, and learn what you need to.
You have to use your wit to use tools. The same applies to AI.
And honestly, that's where the essential human element comes in. AI is incredible for generating ideas and structures, but it doesn't know your heart.
What was truly instrumental in shaping the final plan, was my critical thinking, intuition, and awareness of my learning style, bolstered by the invaluable support of loved ones. While AI is a powerful assistant, I remained firmly in control, ultimately making the crucial decisions.
When I started, I had a much bigger goal but it quickly became transparent that it was too much to handle. This whole process of planning with AI took me a lot deeper than just figuring out what to study.
The AI was ready to generate plans for any goal I presented, even ones that scaled to massive team projects. They would be good ideas. For a team of 50 people... There were lots of moments of frustration, especially when the AI would suggest something not feasible for me, or when I realized my initial grand ideas were just… too grand for right now.
Yesterday, I entered a planning process without a specific career focus, intending to explore several different paths in tech. ChatGPT, Gemma, and Gemini generated incredibly structured plans, covering System Engineering, Web Development, and System Administration. I discovered initial thought was far too broad; I knew combining these paths would be substantial, but I hadn't grasped the sheer scale. The fact that there were 22 core resources, and I was still finding more, quickly highlighted how overly ambitious my initial plan was.
The crucial takeaway here is that context is paramount when prompting AI. You must clearly articulate the details, including your limitations and real-life circumstances. Without this intentionality, it's easy to prompt the AI ineffectively and even get distracted, as I experienced despite my growing understanding of the process.
That's when I realized this wasn't just about building a technical plan; it was also about going beyond the surface and deeply reflecting on what I truly want out of this journey. What are my long-term goals? What kind of work would make me happy? And you know what? This realization highlighted that understanding your desires and goals isn't a one-time task but rather an ongoing process.
Before AI, my planning was likely far more scattered, often relying on simple lists and wishful thinking. I'd jot down ideas, rarely revisiting or reflecting on my goals, which left me feeling lost and unsure of starting my career path. For countless hours, I'd find myself doom scrolling through options, feeling increasingly overwhelmed. Now, thanks to AI assistance, I finally have a plan, but it's important to note that this direction was achieved through my hard work in research, crafting, and focused effort, with AI serving as a valuable tool. My journey continues, now with a clearer sense of purpose.
I had to scale down to just Web Development. Of course, if I like the first part, then I can move into where I want to go. So, I built a plan for managing ADHD, goals, and mental health. I used it to show me how I can study a little every day and work on developing my plan to be a web developer. I think the plan is great but I won't get into the point of the overall message (yay for writing with intention).
I was going through this whole AI planning process, a thought kept nagging at me. This technology is SO powerful, but it's also still evolving. And it got me thinking about the ethical side of things – how do we use these incredible tools responsibly? How do we make sure they're fair and unbiased?
I believe that to get the most out of AI and iron out those pesky biases, we need the power of diverse perspectives. Everyone's experiences and viewpoints are so valuable, and by bringing them together, we can have richer conversations and help shape a better AI landscape.
Numerous discussions are currently underway concerning the implications of AI; it's about understanding that AI is there to assist us, but we guide it with our values and intentions and lots of hard work.
There's also a significant risk of creating an echo chamber. If I consistently feed the AI a limited range of language or perspectives, it will inevitably reinforce those biases. If AI is primarily shaped by a narrow source of voices or perspectives, it won't be as fair for all.
This highlights why incorporating diverse data and viewpoints is crucial in the ongoing conversation surrounding AI. For instance, the limitations become apparent when the AI identifies irrelevant data yet persists in providing it, necessitating a frustrating restart of the conversation. This challenge isn't isolated; even during the editing of this very piece, the AIs I used, despite my consistent edits, eventually ceased providing the desired outputs, compelling me to restart the editing process as well. These experiences underscore the constant need for refinement and diverse input in AI systems.
So, what's the big takeaway from this deep dive into AI-powered planning? The future is bright and full of potential, but it's up to us to navigate it with intention.
To leverage these powerful tools effectively, we must clearly define our goals and always apply critical thinking to their output.
This journey underscores the vital role of reflection – understanding our individual needs, learning styles, and core values is paramount when collaborating with AI. Ultimately, our collective strength lies in community. By sharing experiences and fostering ethical discussions, we can navigate this rapidly evolving landscape, learning and growing together.
Therefore, I encourage you to begin exploring AI now, even casually. While its potential is remarkable, achieving meaningful results demands dedicated effort, time, and thoughtful engagement.
Given the rising tide of digital challenges – from scams and AI disinformation to deep fakes and political manipulation – it's crucial that we act with purpose to shape the future.
Let's be key in shaping the future with intention. Together.
It is critical now, more than ever.
