By Mike DuBose
In 2026, artificial intelligence (AI) seems to be everywhere, built into countless products and all over the media. How does it work, and what will it mean for us, our children, and grandchildren? The technology is advancing at lightning speed. Are we witnessing another Industrial Revolution?
When AI is mentioned, it’s hard to know whom to believe. To understand it better, I conducted extensive research and spent an hour interviewing an AI assistant, or chatbot, about how it works. That conversation was informative and fascinating as I deeply explored AI’s behind-the-scenes operations.
My article series explores AI’s good, bad, and downright scary sides. This second part focuses on the positive and how AI has become my remarkable personal assistant.
Two years ago, I saw little reason to use AI. Today, I turn to it several times daily for another perspective on important decisions, research, and product comparisons. It processes information much faster than I could alone. While it sometimes seems to know “everything about anything,” it makes mistakes. However, I would rate my higher-level AI account nine out of ten for usefulness on most tasks when I provide specific instructions. Its ability to tackle complex problems, including unsolvable math equations, makes me wonder what’s next.
In my previous article, I promised practical examples of how our family and businesses use AI to learn, repair things, and save money. You will recognize many of these needs in your own home, car, family, or workplace.
Around the house, AI has compared consumer ratings, vendors, and prices for roach traps, water filters, vacuum cleaners, bathroom shower attachments, pressure washers, groceries, ceiling fans, coffee makers, and wireless doorbells. It has guided me through repairing, programming, or operating appliances, computers, printers, and garage door openers. I’ve used it to turn off aggravating app notifications, locate reliable, highly-rated contractors, and create simulated pictures of a proposed brick project for contractors. With photographs and measurements, it found an exact match for a product I purchased years ago. Pictures have been useful for identifying plants and trees, researching diseased shrubbery treatments, and learning when to prune, fertilize, and water. A photograph of an HVAC label identified the system’s age and warranty. AI has found recipes with cooking instructions, and even Lake Murray fishing reports. It assessed the condition and estimated the value of coins in my collection, saving me time searching through reference books.
For travel, AI compared airfares, lodging, tour guides, and attractions, while researching best times to visit destinations around the world for favorable weather and fewest tourists. AI has gathered restaurant ratings and menus for cities we planned to visit. It has compared vehicles for safety, comfort, price, fuel economy, and best-rated dealerships. For a friend, it evaluated travel credit cards, including introductory bonuses, fees, spending requirements, and airline-hotel transfer partners. AI-powered navigation apps combine satellite, GPS, and traffic information to suggest routes and update us on road conditions.
For everyday planning, AI has provided reminders and located Spectrum channels carrying programs I wanted to watch. It assisted with a birthday tribute to my wife, using my words and created beautiful background scenery. It developed clues for pirate treasure hunts with my grandson. Those family projects were fun.
For financial research, I’ve compared savings and CD rates at FDIC-insured banks. AI researched my stock holdings, reviewed performance using information from 50+ analysts and websites, and alerted me to buy, hold, and sell recommendations. It has also produced stock and budget charts in Excel. These tools organize information and provide reliable guidance but cannot guarantee investment results.
For health questions, AI has explained blood-test results and reports from X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs in plain language. I’ve researched prescriptions, dosing schedules, drug interactions, and side effects, along with pneumonia, flu, measles, and shingles vaccinations. AI located urgent-care facilities and gathered ratings, addresses, and insurance coverage information. It recommended a hospital when an accident occurred in Ireland. I use this research to understand and present possible diagnoses, treatments, and questions for my healthcare professionals.
For my business and legal matters, AI has explained provisions in lengthy contracts, reviewed home and auto insurance for coverage gaps, and organized insurance-claim information. It identified when a hailstorm struck one of our businesses and located a friend’s on-line property records for estate planning. I’ve explored how AI may reduce or eliminate jobs while creating new careers.
As a writer, I don’t ask AI to develop my articles because it lacks my personal experience. I use it for research, check grammar, and flag statements needing verification. I can request documents and charts in editable Word or Excel formats, with PDFs for printing. What impresses me is the range of questions I can ask in ordinary language. Photographs, measurements, and clear details often improve responses, while follow-up questions narrow my choices.
For my car, AI explained how components work and ways to repair or replace parts. My car’s driving-assistance technology can independently steer, brake, and adjust speed in traffic. It requires me to keep my eyes on the road and warns me if I become inattentive.
AI’s convincing answer is not proof of accuracy. I check important facts and discuss or challenge medical, legal, and financial questions with qualified professionals. AI can save time and provide data to guide me, but the judgment and responsibility remain mine.
The Bottom Line: It’s a phenomenal resource, and I encourage you to try it out. Our next article will explain more about how AI functions and ways to safely use it. More to come.
Mike is a retired adjunct professor at USC’s graduate school and former business owner. Visit his nonprofit website www.mikedubose.com and register to receive his monthly articles or Daily Thoughts, plus free access to his books, including “The Art of Building Great Businesses.” The website includes 100+ published articles he has written on business, travel, and personal topics, in addition to health research with Surb Guram, MD, Allison Cashman, MD, and David Hurst, DVM.
