It's time to make friends with AI

A long time ago I worked in an office where we used ancient manual typewriters to write the same kind of letters again and again. I’d seen one of the early Amstrad computers in action and eventually managed to persuade my boss that we’d be much more efficient with a computer. The day the computer was due to be delivered, one of the secretaries (then aged about 25) didn’t come to work. She sent a letter saying she was giving in her notice because she didn’t want to use a computer and thought it was pointless and wouldn’t work…

Time’s change and now we’re not only used to computers but starting to accept and use artificial intelligence (AI).

If you still have your doubts, actively dislike the idea of AI, or just feel ‘oh not another thing to learn about’, then this post is definitely for you…

Skip to the bottom if you’re ready to use AI…

First of all, what are we talking about? Artificial intelligence (AI) means the creation of machines that think like humans or perform ‘smart’ tasks. This could be anything from rapid research, analysing huge amounts of data in lightening-quick time, translations, creating presentations or images.

Of course there are some risks/threats that need to be managed, such as the creation of fake images. But despite the disadvantages, the rate of development and use of AI is very fast.

AI is really a tool, something you can use to improve efficiency, generate ideas and perform routine tasks.

Whether we like it or not, AI is already a part of our daily lives, often without us even realising it. When you use a navigation app like Google or Apple Maps, you’re using AI. If you use voice assistants like Alexa or Siri, you’re using AI. When you Google something, you’re using AI. Predictive text, booking systems, review tools, online shopping all use various forms of AI.

So far these examples have ‘happened to us’. They’ve come along and sooner or later we’ll have used some of them.

Now we’re at a different stage, where we have the opportunity to be pro-active and use free AI tools for our businesses. It’s not difficult and it doesn’t have to be scary. You can stay in control. It’s easy to use AI to write, make improvements, develop better processes, come up with ideas for social media, create presentations…

Many good AI tools are free to use, quick and easy to learn to use. It just takes practice and a little different thinking to get started. Once you have found and used the right tools for you, it’s like having a super-useful, ultra-reliable, always-ready friend who never asks anything in return.

I’m not saying there aren’t issues with AI. But AI is here now, and not just here to stay but growing rapidly.

We have a choice. We can leave the office like the secretary in my story. Or we can adapt and benefit right now.

If you’d like to know more, you might be interested in my online workshop. It’s free for tourism businesses like accommodation providers, attractions, etc. More details here.