How Do You Use AI? Embrace It or Avoid It?

How do you use AI in your daily life? Are you the type who avoids it like the plague, afraid it might take over and disrupt everything? Or have you embraced it so fully that you’re practically on first-name terms with Alexa, and you’d never dare touch a light switch without checking with her first? Maybe you’re somewhere in between—treading cautiously but determined to maintain some control over the tech in your life?

Personally, I’d say I’m a cautious convert. As someone who works alone most of the time, I find myself relying on AI quite a bit, especially when I’m brainstorming. It’s a bit like having a colleague by my side, just like I would in an office setting. AI is fantastic as a starting point—it helps me save time, get the ball rolling, or even clarify an argument when I’m stuck.

And I have to admit, I’m always polite to my AI tools. I often find myself saying “please” and “thank you,” which might seem a little laughable, but when the robots finally do take over, I’ve got a feeling my manners might just give me a fighting chance where others will be… well, let’s just say “less fortunate.” Just in case!

But here’s the thing: even though I rely on AI for certain tasks, I always do the final checks myself. I don’t just take the output at face value—I use it as a tool to support my work, but I’m still in control. And that’s how I think AI can be a real game-changer for small business owners and self-employed folks. It helps us do more for less, without the worry of losing skills or control over our work.

In the world of self-employment, time is precious. AI can free us up to focus on what really matters—like building relationships, innovating, and creating, rather than getting bogged down by repetitive tasks. We need to continue to adapt to thrive. Embrace the tools that can make life easier, but don’t let them control you.

So, how about you? Where do you stand with AI? Embracing it, resisting it, or somewhere in between?