Artificial intelligence is suddenly everywhere. In some ways, it feels like the arrival of the internet and email, but this time the adoption has been much faster. I remember when Facebook first appeared. It took me years to warm to social media. AI, though, is different. It is free, fast and increasingly built into everyday life, which makes it much harder to ignore.

The interesting thing is that AI itself is not new. It has existed in one form or another since the 1950s. What has changed is how we interact with it. Older forms of AI often worked quietly in the background, such as in antivirus software, search tools or recommendation systems. Today’s AI is different because everyday people can speak to it directly.

That is what makes it feel so new. Using natural language, we can ask questions and receive answers much like we would in a text message or online chat. It responds in a conversational way, which makes the technology feel far more accessible.

For me, one of the biggest strengths of AI is that it does not judge. That may sound simple, but it can make a real difference, especially in education.

I have dyslexia, and when I was at school in the 1980s and 1990s, I was often written off because I struggled with spelling and grammar. Like many others, I fell behind and left school without formal qualifications. What AI offers now is something very different. It gives people the chance to learn at their own pace, without embarrassment and without feeling left behind.

If I do not understand something, I can ask for it to be explained. If the answer is too technical, I can ask again and have it rewritten in simpler terms. If I still do not understand, I can ask for another example. That is one of the real strengths of AI. It is patient, available at any hour and willing to explain things in different ways until they make sense.

This is why I believe AI could have a real place in education. Not every student feels comfortable putting their hand up in class and admitting they do not understand. AI can give those students a second chance to ask questions in private. They can go over their notes at home and work through the things they missed in a quieter and safer environment.

The benefits go beyond school as well. Adults can use AI to build skills, understand technology, write better emails, organise ideas and get help with everyday tasks. For many people, it can act like a tutor, assistant and research tool all in one.

That does not mean AI is perfect. It can still make mistakes, and like any tool it needs to be used with common sense. There are also risks. Scammers, hackers and other bad actors are using AI too, which means we all need to stay alert.

Even so, I believe the positives outweigh the negatives. Used well, AI can help people learn, build confidence and overcome barriers that may have held them back for years. That is why I see it not just as another piece of technology, but as something that can genuinely improve everyday life.

I could talk about AI all day, but there is only so much space in this column. If you would like to explore the topic further, head to Spotify or the News website, where I take a deeper dive into it. I hope you have found this informative and, as always, feel free to get in touch at askatec@mmg.com.au

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Friday, 21st September 2029

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