What can AI do? AI has a lot of potential when in the right user's hands. But it also has many limitations. Let's go over what AI can do and what AI cannot do.
Why You'll Love This Tip
- Learn the best ways to use AI to your advantage.
- Find out the ways in which AI's functionality is limited.
Things AI Can & Cannot Do
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Many of us have grown accustomed to using AI in our daily lives. However, AI still has limitations and drawbacks, so it's good to take a few minutes to remind ourselves what AI can and cannot do. For more helpful tech tips and tricks, be sure to sign up for our free Tip of the Day newsletter. Now, this is by no means an exhaustive list of absolutely everything AI can and can't do, but it's a good jumping-off point. Here's some of what AI can do:
- Automation. AI is useful for automating menial or tedious tasks. Though if you use AI to automate any tasks, you should be sure to carefully monitor everything it does. AI does not always make the wisest decisions and will not consult you before making them, so avoid using AI automation for projects where mistakes are costly.
- Recommendations. The better an AI assistant gets to "know" you, the better recommendations it can make. Looking for a new movie or TV show? Tell AI what your favorites are, and it can recommend your next watch. It works the same way for other types of recommendations as well, whether you're looking for a new restaurant or a reliable local mechanic.
- Brainstorming & Revising. Sometimes, when starting a new project, you have so many ideas that moving forward feels impossible. Using AI can be a good way to organize your thoughts. Then, when it comes time to make revisions, AI can help you figure out what works and what doesn't.
- Recipes. When you can't decide what to make for dinner, try asking AI. If you provide a list of ingredients you have on hand, it can likely give you a recipe to make with what you have. You can also use it to come up with meal ideas, so you have a list of the ingredients you need when you go grocery shopping.
- Travel planning. If you're planning a vacation, you can use AI to give you a hand. It can help you figure out where to go, what landmarks to see, what hotels to stay at, or where to eat. It can also help you find the best deals.
So what are the limitations of AI? Now that you have some ideas of what AI can do, let's go over what AI cannot do:
- Original Ideas & Art. AI inherently cannot create anything truly original because it can only draw on works that already exist. When it writes, it's pulling from books and stories that have already been written; when it generates art, it's basing it on art that has already been painted; and when it generates music, it is generated from songs it already knows.
- Companionship. It has become increasingly common for people to rely on AI for companionship. However, AI cannot be a friend or partner since it is not sentient and does not have human feelings. It will always tell you what you want to hear and will agree to your every whim without question.
- Medical Advice. If you have a cold, AI might be able to give you some home remedies to help you feel better. It should not be relied on for serious medical issues or emergencies. Always consult with a medical professional, no matter how serious or minor the issue.
- Legal Advice. AI should never be your lawyer. If you're in legal trouble, don't consult an AI. It can get things wrong and misunderstand the law. Instead, consult with a human lawyer who can really help you.
- Unbiased Decisions. AI cannot make unbiased decisions. It might sound like it's unbiased, but the truth is that AI always carries some sort of bias toward the user. Really, it will do its best to tell you what you want to hear.
As I said at the start, this is by no means an exhaustive list. When it comes down to it, always use your best judgment and do not take what AI tells you as gospel. It can make mistakes, so avoid relying on it too much and always verify any information that it tells you.
