You Don't Need a PhD to Use AI (Just Like You Don't Need to Be a Mechanic to Drive)
A while back, I used to believe that AI was this complex, mythical beast reserved for people with PhDs. It felt like something you needed a computer science degree to even look at. I was wrong.
What I’ve learned is that using AI is a lot like driving a car. You don’t need to know how the engine works to get where you’re going. You just need to know how to turn the key, press the pedal, and navigate the road.
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AI is the same way. It's a powerful tool, not a secret club. If you've ever felt intimidated or left behind by the tech world, this is for you. I’m a nerdy tabby cat at heart, and if I can figure out how to use AI to save time, brainstorm ideas, and build a business, you can too.
My Own Story: The Accidental AI User
Photo by Nahrizul Kadri on Unsplash
A few years ago, despite my interest, I avoided AI. The only people I saw using it were "science types," brilliant academics with PhDs and doctorates. There was no one like me: a regular person just trying to figure things out. I couldn’t see myself in that world, so I stayed away from it.
But one day, on a whim, I decided to give it a try. I was timid at first, but something shifted when I moved to platforms like Substack. There, people weren't anti-AI; they were talking about working with it, not against it. My mindset began to change.
That's when I had my "aha!" moment. My productivity skyrocketed, and it felt like I could do anything. But more than that, I finally understood its true purpose: AI is not a replacement; it’s a partner.
You don’t use AI to simply answer your questions. You use it to help you think, to dig deeper with your own talents and abilities. It's a co-pilot, not a pilot.
First Things First: Learning How to "Talk" to AI
Once you've decided to see AI as a partner, the first and most important skill to learn is how to talk to it. AI models are trained on human language. Books, poems, news articles, and so much more. They understand the nuances and context that make us human. So, the best way to get a good answer from an AI is to talk to it like you would talk to a person.
This is called prompting. You don't need to learn a secret code or a specific syntax. You just need to be clear and specific about what you want.
Imagine you want to write a blog post about Siamese cats. You could use a generic, unhelpful prompt like this:
"Gemini, make me a paper about cats."
What will you get back? Something generic. Gemini will find data and blog posts about cats in general and give you a surface-level response. You won't learn anything specific about Siamese cats, and the result will feel bland and uninspired.
But what if you used your natural language to be more specific, as if you were talking to a thinking partner?
"Gemini, I want to write a blog post about Siamese cats. Specifically, what are their personality traits, and what kind of home would be best for them? Can you help me think through this?"
Now you're going to get a much more detailed and useful response. The AI won't just give you an answer; it will help you brainstorm and structure your ideas, giving you tailored information that feels like a real conversation. That's the power of treating AI as a partner, not just a search engine.
A Simple Exercise: Dinner Recipes
Let's try a quick exercise to show this principle in action.
First, open your favorite AI and try this generic prompt:
"I need recipes for dinners."
You'll get a list of generic recipes—maybe some tacos, a chicken dish, and a pasta plate. It's an okay start, but it’s not tailored to your life. The AI didn't ask you any clarifying questions because you didn't give it any context.
Now, let's try a different approach. Use a more specific prompt like this:
"I have a family of three, and I need dinner ideas for Monday through Friday. I need the dinners to have mostly chicken, and my budget is $300 a month. Help me think through this."
Do you see the difference? The AI now has a complete picture. It knows your family size, your timeline, your main protein, and your budget. It can now act as a true partner, not just a search engine. It can suggest a full meal plan, provide a grocery list, and even offer tips on how to stay within your budget.
This simple example shows that the better you learn to "drive" the AI with specific details, the better your results will be. You don't need a PhD; you just need to know what you want.
Final Thoughts
Photo by Andy Kelly on Unsplash
I started this journey feeling like I was the only one. But if you've read this far, I know I'm not. The professional world can be intimidating, but we don’t have to go it alone. Learning how to leverage tools like AI is just one part of building a better way to work. If you want to keep exploring how to do that, come join me. I'm building a space for curious, non-technical people—just like you.
Do you have a story about working with AI for the first time? I’d like to hear it! I’m on a mission to stop gatekeeping with technology and data, giving people permission to dream.
PS: ☕ If you liked this and want to support the journey, you can buy me a coffee — every little boost helps keep the pawprints moving forward.
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