What AI can and cannot do for you

Good AI tasks have two things in common

First, there is enough information for the tool to work with. Second, you can look at the result and tell whether it is useful. Drafting a birthday invitation fits. Diagnosing chest pain does not.

The sweet spot is work that takes time but does not require the computer to be trusted blindly.

Let AI help with the rough work

AI is often excellent at getting the first 70 percent done. That can remove the hardest part of starting while leaving judgment in your hands.

• Turn scattered notes into an outline
• Summarize a long document you can verify
• Suggest questions before an appointment
• Create a first draft you will edit
• Compare options using criteria you provide

Do not outsource the final decision

A polished answer can still be wrong. That matters most when the decision affects someone’s health, money, rights, safety, or reputation.

In those situations, AI can help you understand terms, prepare questions, or organize records. It should not be the only voice you trust.

Watch for the confidence trick

Chatbots are designed to produce a useful response, so they often fill gaps instead of stopping. The writing may sound certain even when the underlying information is weak.

Ask, “What are you uncertain about?” Then verify names, dates, quotes, statistics, and anything that would be expensive or embarrassing to get wrong.

A ten-second test

Before using AI, ask yourself: if this answer is wrong, will I notice before it causes a problem? If yes, AI can probably help. If no, slow down and bring in a reliable source or qualified person.