Matt Man . . . . . GREAT read! I was just having this conversation with my wife who has used GROK and Gemini to create a comprehensive business plan for a non-profit organization she is a Board Director on. She did it in about 6 hrs and looks like it was done by a high finance CPA. Whether people like it or not it's here to stay and like any new tool, those who learn how to harness it will have an advantage in all areas of life. Thanks for the article. I am a BIG fan of your work!
I've been a coder for ~30 years. I have been using Claude Code for about 9 months at the day job and on side projects to make myself somewhat more productive... for the past month I have gone 100% Claude Code to plan/architect features, bug fixes, refactors, etc. and have not written a single line of code. We're past the tipping point. This is changing software development faster than you can imagine.
Not only did the structure and pacing of the entire piece sound like it was suggested by an LLM, it failed to top any of the fundraising letters I have ever received in my life. "Uncanny valley" would be an exaggeration, it is simply ridiculous in the literal sense.
"If LLMs are the the productivity hack, how parasitic is the job at base level?"
Well, if you read any of my writing, then it probably all sounds like that to you, but it was me describing an experience I had. You don't have to like it, and it doesn't have to sell you on anything.
I'm not trying to raise any funds or anything else; I'm simply sharing a story, an experience, and making a few suggestions.
It was written in exactly the way this comment was: transcribed - voice to text.
I'm a tech professional with about 20 years in software development. I've been deep into AI tooling for the past 2 years.
If you ever need help with that dashboard (deploying to production, connecting to other services, adding features), I'd be happy to assist. No charge. Your podcast with Doug has given me a lot of value over the years. This would be my way of giving back.
Spot-on Matt, and even more it’s vital to dive into AI tools with real urgency because it’s not going to be so accessible to everyone for much longer I don’t think. There’s an open window right now where pretty much anyone can create life-changing value -for pennies- in hours or days. That window won’t stay open forever.
Very helpful. Right on. I've kept my eyes open for practical instruction. Yours is from your life, hands on, and very articulate -- as with all your writing. But here it is on what at first seems to be not a sexy topic, but it's an urgent one. "Here's How I'm actually learning to use AI. If you don't do something like this, by tackling learning the tools it provides and applying them to your life, you will fall behind and miss out on life improving opportunities." Thanks.
I don't use AI for writing or art; but I have found that ChatGPT (for example) has been helpful for research. It can find sources that I would never find. I write the prompt thoughtfully and probably more descriptively than necessary, and have always gotten back an immediate response of "Nice," reinforcing my use of a detailed and effective prompt. ChatGPT has always come back with what I asked for, it has always named its sources, and it has always offered to fine-tune the output in several ways. I read the answer carefully, as there is always the possibility of error with AI; it is obviously not human, and although it understands nuance, it may sometimes miss the target. Despite that, for me, it is still very much worth using.
Great article! For the software engineers out there: I use Conductor to run multiple AI agents in parallel via the ChatGPT Codex CLI. I’m regularly “developing” ten features at once; reviewing output from one agent while the others are still running. Code is cheap now… delivering reliable software probably still isn’t.
Thanks for that article Matt. I'm a bit of a dinosaur when it comes to tech, in fact my email address is at AOL...got stuck in that loop when I kept getting the free discs about 30+ years ago. Anyway, I've started and run three businesses, all successful but none of them made me rich, but that was never the goal as I just wanted to live my own life on y own terms. Now at 74 years old I want to start another business (online subscription based) and have realized I'd better get my ass in gear when it comes to AI. To that end I've used a website for months that I now suggest to you an anyone else interested in AI - "superhuman@mail.joinsuperhuman.ai". I'm not sure if this address is where you can sign up, but you'll figure it out. Once onboard check out the archives...CRAZY valuable stuff there!
Yes, different ones are better at different things, which is why you should experiment.
If you have a task that you want to do (something you want to build, or even a research report on a particular stock, for example), do it in all three to see what the differences are. You have to test them out!
They all have apps you can download, but for the most part, I'd say 95% of my usage is through the website on my computer.
There is AI that can create videos for you that are crazy good. I used invideo.ai at work to generate 30 second "commercials" for each of my projects.
I literally copy and past the 1 slide basic charter and it cranks out an amazing video in less than a minute. All free.
I don't even need to edit the video. However, I tell it to change a scene like "show a production line making pet food" & seconds later, it's done.
Over the past year, I cerated 4 videos and all have been this simple. The leadership is amazed and gives me whatever resources I need. All the project members and end users get excited about what is possible by a simple, but powerful video.
Fully agree! I am a consultant in management, with focus on logistics and supply chain. Funnily, in the last three years when GenAI really took off, I was shielded from that because my role was more about managing a large team. However, recently it was back to problem-solving and exploration; it is mind-boggling how quick Claude or ChatGPT are in correlating meaningful information to then synthesizing it into something useful you can work with. It may not be perfect but what is, really. When you are exploring approaches or solving complex problems, the way was always iterative. But now you have superpowers like I could never have imagined.
I just feel for people entering the workforce now who may not have the chance to sharpen their intuition by classical trial and error and feedback received from a human that they could correlate with their own thinking. I am sensing that the people who will profit from these tools most are the ones who can build on real-world experiences that the younger people will have more difficulties in developing.
I still consider myself an AI dummy, but the key is just to experiment with it. The hardest part is thinking of specific problems that you want answers to or things that you want to build.
Instead of just using it to ask questions, put it to work. Imagine you have a new employee and you need to make sure they don't waste their day, so you come up with tasks for them to do.
My guess is you have things that you've wanted to get done for quite a while (but they've been on the back burner). See if you can use AI to accomplish those.
How refreshing was this?!! I very much appreciated your creativity in designing entrepreneurial uses for AI. (Unfortunately) I am retired, but use it constantly for curiosity, deeper insights, advice about gardening, cooking, medical issues -- and research for an SF novel I'm drafting. As you say, it's all in the prompts and setting context. Contrary to the doom narrative, I find it's stimulating my brain and creativity. And productivity!
That's fantastic to hear! Because we're in the Southern Hemisphere, I had it build out a planting calendar for our garden. Everything is in reverse here, so having it specific to our location is really helpful.
After 7 months unemployed I started a new job doing technical support for a software development company. I used ChatGPT and Claude to know and support their software so well that the rest of the team started using these same tools after being dead set against it. Now most of them are vibe coding new automated reports for customers and lot of other things. It has reinvigorated the company so much that they are looking at developing new products and adding speed to it's deployment. There target customers range has also widened as a result.
Hi Matt, I may have missed this in reading through the comments, so forgive me if I'be being redundant. Do these AI tools contain all the resources & instructions you need to learn how to use them, or did you take a course or use any other resources you might suggest? Thanks!
Just experimenting. Start with something like this: “I’m trying to accomplish x. Can you help with that?”
Start there then when you have a particular task in mind, give it as much context in the promo as possible. The more data it has about the problem or task, the more effective the answers will be.
Start with something simple like the “help me reduce the recurring charges on my credit card” example I discussed.
Matt Man . . . . . GREAT read! I was just having this conversation with my wife who has used GROK and Gemini to create a comprehensive business plan for a non-profit organization she is a Board Director on. She did it in about 6 hrs and looks like it was done by a high finance CPA. Whether people like it or not it's here to stay and like any new tool, those who learn how to harness it will have an advantage in all areas of life. Thanks for the article. I am a BIG fan of your work!
I've been a coder for ~30 years. I have been using Claude Code for about 9 months at the day job and on side projects to make myself somewhat more productive... for the past month I have gone 100% Claude Code to plan/architect features, bug fixes, refactors, etc. and have not written a single line of code. We're past the tipping point. This is changing software development faster than you can imagine.
Good luck when it all crashes. You won't know jack.
Not only did the structure and pacing of the entire piece sound like it was suggested by an LLM, it failed to top any of the fundraising letters I have ever received in my life. "Uncanny valley" would be an exaggeration, it is simply ridiculous in the literal sense.
"If LLMs are the the productivity hack, how parasitic is the job at base level?"
Well, if you read any of my writing, then it probably all sounds like that to you, but it was me describing an experience I had. You don't have to like it, and it doesn't have to sell you on anything.
I'm not trying to raise any funds or anything else; I'm simply sharing a story, an experience, and making a few suggestions.
It was written in exactly the way this comment was: transcribed - voice to text.
Matt, this was a great read.
I'm a tech professional with about 20 years in software development. I've been deep into AI tooling for the past 2 years.
If you ever need help with that dashboard (deploying to production, connecting to other services, adding features), I'd be happy to assist. No charge. Your podcast with Doug has given me a lot of value over the years. This would be my way of giving back.
Feel free to reach out if interested.
Thank you.
Spot-on Matt, and even more it’s vital to dive into AI tools with real urgency because it’s not going to be so accessible to everyone for much longer I don’t think. There’s an open window right now where pretty much anyone can create life-changing value -for pennies- in hours or days. That window won’t stay open forever.
Very helpful. Right on. I've kept my eyes open for practical instruction. Yours is from your life, hands on, and very articulate -- as with all your writing. But here it is on what at first seems to be not a sexy topic, but it's an urgent one. "Here's How I'm actually learning to use AI. If you don't do something like this, by tackling learning the tools it provides and applying them to your life, you will fall behind and miss out on life improving opportunities." Thanks.
I don't use AI for writing or art; but I have found that ChatGPT (for example) has been helpful for research. It can find sources that I would never find. I write the prompt thoughtfully and probably more descriptively than necessary, and have always gotten back an immediate response of "Nice," reinforcing my use of a detailed and effective prompt. ChatGPT has always come back with what I asked for, it has always named its sources, and it has always offered to fine-tune the output in several ways. I read the answer carefully, as there is always the possibility of error with AI; it is obviously not human, and although it understands nuance, it may sometimes miss the target. Despite that, for me, it is still very much worth using.
I find AI a daunting endeavour but exciting in the infinite uses. Thanks for the push, I gotta get up to speed.
"Infinite uses" ?? Really? lol
Hey, I've got a really cool, cheap bridge for sale...
Great article! For the software engineers out there: I use Conductor to run multiple AI agents in parallel via the ChatGPT Codex CLI. I’m regularly “developing” ten features at once; reviewing output from one agent while the others are still running. Code is cheap now… delivering reliable software probably still isn’t.
Thanks for that article Matt. I'm a bit of a dinosaur when it comes to tech, in fact my email address is at AOL...got stuck in that loop when I kept getting the free discs about 30+ years ago. Anyway, I've started and run three businesses, all successful but none of them made me rich, but that was never the goal as I just wanted to live my own life on y own terms. Now at 74 years old I want to start another business (online subscription based) and have realized I'd better get my ass in gear when it comes to AI. To that end I've used a website for months that I now suggest to you an anyone else interested in AI - "superhuman@mail.joinsuperhuman.ai". I'm not sure if this address is where you can sign up, but you'll figure it out. Once onboard check out the archives...CRAZY valuable stuff there!
AI might seem useful in the short-term, but it will eventually create dummies. I'd rather engage in genuine idividuals than a proofreader.
Its a tool. Depends on how you use it.
It’ll be used against you whether you use it or not. Why do you use the internet?
I'm sorry, I'm a plain-spoken man. Trying to piece together what you're saying is not worth the energy. Speak plainly, and I'll speak plainly back.
Matt, it never ceases to amaze me how a simple straightforward post like this can provoke total insanity from some members.
"WE ARE ALL DOOMED!!!"
LMAO
Matt,
Good post, thanks!
Sold my company 6 years ago, and I can see how this would be a game changer!
I will forward to the kids and friends to let them know they better get on board!!
Matt
When you say AI, what specific tool/programs are you using?
Trey
I try them all for different things ChatGPT Claude perplexity deepseek & Manus
Are some of these better at certain tasks?
And Claude for example - can I just download it as an app?
Yes, different ones are better at different things, which is why you should experiment.
If you have a task that you want to do (something you want to build, or even a research report on a particular stock, for example), do it in all three to see what the differences are. You have to test them out!
They all have apps you can download, but for the most part, I'd say 95% of my usage is through the website on my computer.
Thank you. I am a RN and just very unsure how individual AI application to my job would help although I do see a future for AI in nursing in general.
Thanks Matt, so each tool what do you find has the best use case for? :)
- also, voice to text , wisprflow?
There is AI that can create videos for you that are crazy good. I used invideo.ai at work to generate 30 second "commercials" for each of my projects.
I literally copy and past the 1 slide basic charter and it cranks out an amazing video in less than a minute. All free.
I don't even need to edit the video. However, I tell it to change a scene like "show a production line making pet food" & seconds later, it's done.
Over the past year, I cerated 4 videos and all have been this simple. The leadership is amazed and gives me whatever resources I need. All the project members and end users get excited about what is possible by a simple, but powerful video.
Hope this helps.
Fully agree! I am a consultant in management, with focus on logistics and supply chain. Funnily, in the last three years when GenAI really took off, I was shielded from that because my role was more about managing a large team. However, recently it was back to problem-solving and exploration; it is mind-boggling how quick Claude or ChatGPT are in correlating meaningful information to then synthesizing it into something useful you can work with. It may not be perfect but what is, really. When you are exploring approaches or solving complex problems, the way was always iterative. But now you have superpowers like I could never have imagined.
I just feel for people entering the workforce now who may not have the chance to sharpen their intuition by classical trial and error and feedback received from a human that they could correlate with their own thinking. I am sensing that the people who will profit from these tools most are the ones who can build on real-world experiences that the younger people will have more difficulties in developing.
That was a great article Matt I think I need AI for dummies.
I still consider myself an AI dummy, but the key is just to experiment with it. The hardest part is thinking of specific problems that you want answers to or things that you want to build.
Instead of just using it to ask questions, put it to work. Imagine you have a new employee and you need to make sure they don't waste their day, so you come up with tasks for them to do.
My guess is you have things that you've wanted to get done for quite a while (but they've been on the back burner). See if you can use AI to accomplish those.
Agreed 1000% Just do it.
I am amazed at how few of my peers, co-workers, and friends do not even try to use it.
Maybe they lack the imagination needed to come up with ideas to use it for. That's the biggest limitation I have with it - my own imagination.
How refreshing was this?!! I very much appreciated your creativity in designing entrepreneurial uses for AI. (Unfortunately) I am retired, but use it constantly for curiosity, deeper insights, advice about gardening, cooking, medical issues -- and research for an SF novel I'm drafting. As you say, it's all in the prompts and setting context. Contrary to the doom narrative, I find it's stimulating my brain and creativity. And productivity!
That's fantastic to hear! Because we're in the Southern Hemisphere, I had it build out a planting calendar for our garden. Everything is in reverse here, so having it specific to our location is really helpful.
After 7 months unemployed I started a new job doing technical support for a software development company. I used ChatGPT and Claude to know and support their software so well that the rest of the team started using these same tools after being dead set against it. Now most of them are vibe coding new automated reports for customers and lot of other things. It has reinvigorated the company so much that they are looking at developing new products and adding speed to it's deployment. There target customers range has also widened as a result.
Hi Matt, I may have missed this in reading through the comments, so forgive me if I'be being redundant. Do these AI tools contain all the resources & instructions you need to learn how to use them, or did you take a course or use any other resources you might suggest? Thanks!
Just experimenting. Start with something like this: “I’m trying to accomplish x. Can you help with that?”
Start there then when you have a particular task in mind, give it as much context in the promo as possible. The more data it has about the problem or task, the more effective the answers will be.
Start with something simple like the “help me reduce the recurring charges on my credit card” example I discussed.
Thanks, I appreciate the tip and quick response.