First Encounter with AI

It was a cold late night in late 2022, with light rain outside the window, as I stared blankly at my computer screen. My desk was covered with printed research papers, and the thesis proposal deadline was next week, but my mind was completely blank. Just as I was sinking deep into anxiety, my phone suddenly vibrated.

"Have you tried ChatGPT? It's amazing for writing papers!" This WeChat message from a friend instantly piqued my curiosity. Honestly, at that time, my understanding of AI was limited to sci-fi movies I'd watched, thinking it was some distant future technology. With a mix of doubt and hope, I registered an account and began my first-ever conversation with AI.

I still vividly remember the scene: in my room late at night, with only the monitor's dim glow, I carefully typed in my first question, asking how to write a good thesis proposal. To my surprise, ChatGPT not only detailed the proposal's framework but also provided specific suggestions for my research direction. Even more shocking was when I input content from several core papers, it helped me organize clear research threads and even pointed out potential research directions.

At that moment, I felt like I'd discovered a new world. In the following days, I began frantically "experimenting" with this magical tool. Ask it to write Python code? No problem - it could not only write but also explain each line in detail. Help me revise English papers? Absolutely - it could correct grammar errors and suggest more native expressions.

Real Experience

More than a year has flown by, during which I witnessed the rapid development of AI technology and experienced my own transformation from novice to proficient user. Looking back, those AI applications that once seemed unreachable are actually so close to our daily lives.

I remember chatting with my cousin about changes after her hospital introduced an AI-assisted image reading system. As a radiologist, she reviews countless CT and MRI scans daily. Previously relying solely on manual reading, mistakes were inevitable, and staring at screens for long periods was particularly straining on the eyes. Now with AI assistance, the system automatically marks suspicious areas, greatly improving work efficiency and diagnostic accuracy. My cousin smiled and said, "It feels like having an extra pair of eagle eyes!"

Then there's my friend in cross-border e-commerce, who used to struggle with writing product descriptions and replying to foreign customers' emails. Since using AI tools, he can quickly generate platform-compliant product descriptions and polish email wording to make responses more professional and natural. He shared with me that the time to process an English email has been reduced from thirty minutes to five minutes - it's been a lifesaver.

These examples made me realize that AI has quietly changed work methods across many industries. Moreover, using AI isn't as difficult as imagined - the key is finding the right approach.

Practical Tips

Speaking of methods, I think the most important thing is learning how to "converse" with AI. When I first started using it, I would simply throw vague questions at it, like "help me write an article" or "help me make a PPT." The answers were often generic or completely off-topic.

After continuous exploration, I discovered that giving instructions to AI is actually an art. You need to treat it like a smart assistant who doesn't understand specific situations and needs detailed background and requirements. For example, now when I ask AI to write an article, I'll say: "Please write an 800-word essay with the theme 'City Life' from a young white-collar perspective, describing the ups and downs of working in a first-tier city. The language should be vivid and suitable for WeChat official accounts. You can include some popular internet phrases but don't overdo it."

Such specific prompts are like drawing a clear blueprint for AI, allowing it to "customize" content according to your requirements. I call this method "precise prompting" - just like communicating with a human assistant, the clearer you express your needs, the more satisfying the results.

Additionally, I've noticed many beginners make the mistake of expecting perfect answers in one go. Actually, AI is more like a conversation partner - you need multiple rounds of dialogue to continuously optimize results. Take writing articles for example: I usually first ask AI to write an outline, and after confirming it's okay, I let it expand into writing. After the first draft, I ask it to modify the tone, adjust the structure, or even rewrite certain paragraphs based on needs.

This progressive questioning method not only yields better results but also stimulates AI's creativity. Sometimes, AI's responses give me unexpected inspiration, and these surprises make it particularly interesting.

Application Scenarios

Looking back now, AI has deeply integrated into my daily life. Every morning when I wake up, I have AI help me plan my day's schedule and outfit based on my agenda and weather conditions. During my commute, it helps me summarize today's news headlines. At work, it becomes my capable assistant.

At work, AI's role is truly ubiquitous. When coding, it not only helps me solve various bugs but also provides optimization suggestions. When making PPTs, it can generate beautiful layouts based on my outline and even remind me of presentation tips. Before meetings, I have it help me list key points and even simulate potential problems and solutions.

After work, AI transforms into a life manager. Want to cook but don't know what to make? Let AI recommend simple recipes based on ingredients in the fridge. Wondering where to go on weekends? It can recommend suitable places based on weather and personal preferences. Even when watching TV series, it can help analyze plots and recommend similar good shows.

However, I must emphasize that AI, no matter how powerful, is just a tool, not an omnipotent solution. Take programming for example - although AI can provide code suggestions, I still need to understand the code logic, verify if it meets actual requirements, and sometimes optimize based on project specifics. At work, I tend to treat AI as an intelligent assistant that can help me complete basic tasks, allowing me to focus more energy on tasks requiring creativity and judgment.

Future Outlook

Regarding AI's future development, my view might be a bit different. Recently, I often see comments saying AI will replace human jobs, leading to massive unemployment. But from my personal experience, such concerns might be excessive.

Taking my work experience as an example, after introducing AI, some repetitive work was indeed automated, like data organization and document translation. But this doesn't mean my work decreased - instead, I have more time to think about strategic issues and make decisions that truly require human wisdom.

I think the future work mode will likely be human-machine collaboration. AI handles regular, repetitive work, while humans focus on areas requiring creativity, empathy, and judgment. This isn't a simple replacement relationship, but rather complementary advantages.

For instance, in content creation, AI can indeed generate numerous articles, but content that truly touches hearts still needs human emotional input and creative thinking. In the medical field, AI can assist doctors with diagnosis, but final treatment plans still need doctors' professional knowledge and clinical experience.

Additionally, I've found that AI technology develops faster than imagined. Just as I'm writing this article, several new AI models and applications have appeared in the market. This rapid iteration characteristic also requires us to maintain a continuous learning mindset. Although we don't need to fully understand its technical principles, we should at least understand its basic principles and application scenarios.

I believe now is the best time for ordinary people to learn and use AI. Various AI tools are already user-friendly enough, and usage barriers continue to lower. Moreover, the earlier you start engaging with it, the more advantages you can gain in this technological revolution.

Most importantly, we need to view AI technology with an open and inclusive mindset. It's neither a monster nor an almighty savior, but a powerful tool that can help us improve efficiency and spark creativity.

As someone from Gen-Z who has experienced the journey from AI novice to daily user, I deeply feel the changes technology has brought to life. Perhaps more amazing AI applications will appear in the future, but as long as we maintain enthusiasm for learning and a rational attitude, we'll surely find our place in this AI era.

What are your thoughts or experiences with AI applications? Welcome to share and discuss in the comments section. Let's explore the infinite possibilities of AI together!