FAIQ
Frequent AI Questions: the things people ask me most about AI. Each answer is labeledResearch-based, My take, orResearch + my take, and dated, because AI answers go out of date fast.
Start here
What is AI, really? (AI defined)
Research + my takeAI is the broad goal of getting machines to do things that normally take human intelligence. The field goes back to the 1940s. What changed recently is generative AI: deep learning models, like the GPT in ChatGPT, that can create new text, images, and code.
AI at work
Is AI going to take my job?
My takeIt might. Some roles will become obsolete, as has happened with every major technology shift. But a job is really a bundle of tasks, and the better question is how many of yours AI will replace, how many it will enhance, and how many it won't touch.
Understand the business process before you write a single prompt. AI speeds up development, but understanding the problem is still the most important step.
What is a semantic model, and why does it matter for AI?
Research + my takeA semantic model is the layer that turns raw data into business language: what "occupancy" means, which tables connect, and how every number is calculated. It is the "brain" you feed AI so it answers with your company's numbers instead of guessing.
Everyday AI
Start with the small annoyances: long documents you need to understand, emails you keep putting off, decisions that need research, and anything you have to learn quickly. The best everyday uses save you 15 minutes at a time, and those add up.
Tools & models
How do I know which AI model to use?
Research + my takeMatch the model to the job. Use a fast, cheap model for simple, high-volume tasks, a mid-tier model for most everyday work, and the top model only when the thinking is hard or the stakes are high. Where your work already lives matters too.
Should I use Copilot or Claude?
Research + my takeIf your company already runs on Microsoft for email, documents, and analytics, Copilot will be useful very quickly. For most people working behind a computer, Copilot and Claude solve the same problems. Copilot is faster to roll out, and Claude is where the new ideas show up first.