Using AI to Bring Out the Best in You

October 2026 Update: Two Years On — AI Is Helping Us Discover What We Are Capable Of

When I originally wrote this article in November 2024, I wanted to explain something that I felt was being overlooked in the excitement surrounding artificial intelligence.

AI wasn't simply helping me produce better work. It was helping me overcome obstacles that had followed me throughout my life.

As someone with dyslexia, I had spent decades learning to work around difficulties with writing, spelling and organising my thoughts. AI was beginning to remove many of those barriers, allowing me to concentrate on what I actually wanted to say or achieve.

Two years later, my opinion hasn't changed. If anything, my experiences have strengthened it.

But something else has changed. I now believe that we are only beginning to appreciate just how much AI could help ordinary people discover and develop abilities they never realised they possessed.

From Improving What We Do to Expanding What We Can Do

In 2024, I primarily used AI to improve my writing, help with programming and organise ideas.

Today, the possibilities extend considerably further.

Someone with an idea for an invention can use AI to explore its feasibility, investigate the materials required, develop a design and potentially produce a prototype using 3D printing.

Someone who has never written a line of code can begin developing a website, an application or even a small business idea.

Someone who struggled with traditional education can have a subject explained in different ways, ask questions without embarrassment and work through problems at their own pace.

And someone who has always wanted to write a book but struggled to get their thoughts onto paper can finally begin telling their story.

These opportunities are not guaranteed successes. AI still makes mistakes, and developing something worthwhile requires judgement, persistence and effort.

Nevertheless, the barriers to getting started have become considerably lower.

That is a remarkable development.

AI Is Not Just About Knowledge. It Is About Confidence.

I think one of the most overlooked benefits of AI is the confidence it can give people to attempt something new.

How many people have abandoned a good idea because they lacked the technical knowledge, education, money or confidence to pursue it?

How many have been discouraged from trying because somebody told them they weren't capable?

I experienced that myself when I was younger.

Today, a person can sit down with an AI assistant and say, "I've got an idea, but I have absolutely no idea where to start."

Rather than immediately confronting a wall of unfamiliar terminology or expensive professional services, they can begin a conversation.

They can ask questions, explore possibilities, make mistakes and gradually develop an understanding of what is involved.

Of course, AI cannot provide all the answers, and its advice needs to be questioned and verified. But it can help someone overcome perhaps the greatest obstacle of all: never getting started.

Sometimes the most valuable thing AI gives us isn't an answer. It's the confidence to ask the next question.

The Difference Between Learning and Letting AI Do Everything

There is, however, a growing concern that deserves attention.

As AI becomes more capable, it becomes increasingly tempting to let it do all the thinking.

Why struggle to understand something when AI can produce an answer in seconds?

The difficulty is that producing an answer and developing an understanding are two very different things.

Research published during 2025 and 2026 has begun to highlight this distinction. Some studies have demonstrated significant improvements in learning through carefully designed AI tutoring, while others have found that access to AI does not automatically improve educational outcomes.

The difference often lies in how the technology is used.

An AI system that explains mistakes, challenges assumptions and encourages independent thinking can be a valuable learning tool.

One that simply provides answers may save time without necessarily helping the user develop new abilities.

This reinforces something I believed when writing the original article.

Use AI to help you become better at something, not simply to avoid having to learn it.

I still find that comparing my original writing with AI's suggested improvements can teach me something. The benefit isn't just the finished article. It is the opportunity to understand how my original thoughts could have been communicated more effectively.

A Tool That Should Strengthen Independence, Not Replace It

Another development since 2024 has been the growing use of AI as a personal adviser, conversational companion and source of emotional support.

For some people, particularly those who feel isolated or lack confidence, having a system available to discuss ideas and concerns may be genuinely helpful.

But there is an important distinction between using AI to develop confidence and becoming dependent upon it for every decision.

AI can be supportive, but it is not a replacement for human relationships, professional care or our own judgement.

We should be using these systems to develop our ability to cope, learn and make decisions independently.

The ultimate measure of success should not be how often we need AI, but how much more capable we become through using it.

Perhaps We Have Been Asking the Wrong Question

Much of the public discussion about AI continues to focus on what it will replace.

Which jobs will disappear? Which skills will become unnecessary? Will AI eventually become more intelligent than humans?

These are important questions, but I believe we should be asking another.

What might millions of people achieve if the obstacles that have held them back throughout their lives were suddenly reduced?

Think about the people who struggle with reading or writing, those who left education early, people changing careers later in life, or individuals living in places where access to specialist knowledge is limited.

Think about the ideas that have never been developed because their creators did not have the necessary resources or confidence.

AI will not eliminate inequality, and access to technology alone is not enough. But it does offer the possibility of giving more people the tools to participate, experiment and create.

For me, that is one of the most exciting aspects of this technology.

Two Years Later, My Advice Remains the Same

Looking back at my original article, I wouldn't change its fundamental message.

AI has helped me overcome barriers that once made certain tasks unnecessarily difficult. It has allowed me to concentrate more on my ideas and less on the mechanics of expressing them.

But the past two years have taught me something else.

The real opportunity lies not simply in improving the things we already know how to do, but in discovering what else we might be capable of.

We should encourage people to experiment, to learn unfamiliar skills, to challenge themselves and, perhaps most importantly, to stop assuming that something is beyond their abilities.

AI isn't going to turn everyone into a brilliant writer, programmer, inventor or entrepreneur overnight.

But it might help someone discover that they could become one.

And perhaps, years from now, we will look back and realise that AI's greatest achievement wasn't making machines more capable. It was helping people realise just how capable they could be.

YouTube Videos on using Ai to help improve your life

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Original Article

A Journey of Growth and Transformation with AI

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become a powerful tool for creativity and productivity, enabling individuals to generate remarkable content from just a few words. While some may view AI as a shortcut or even a form of "cheating," it can be far more than that—it’s an opportunity for personal growth and skill development when used thoughtfully and responsibly.

For many, AI is a game-changer, helping them overcome challenges and expand their potential. Here, we explore how AI can be used as a tool for self-improvement, highlighting a personal journey of perseverance and transformation.

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The Challenges of Dyslexia and the Role of Determination

As a child diagnosed with dyslexia, I often struggled in school. My inquisitive nature clashed with rigid educational structures, and my condition made writing and grammar arduous tasks. Dyslexia caused letters to swap places and disrupted my ability to produce well-organized coursework. Despite my frustrations, I wasn’t a troublemaker or arrogant—I simply wanted to understand the “why” behind things.

Computers entered my life in my late teens, and though they were basic and expensive, I saw their transformative potential. However, my career advisor dismissed my aspirations, claiming that my dyslexia and "fuzzy logic" would prevent me from succeeding in computing. What they failed to grasp was my determination.

Impossible was not a word in my vocabulary. Over the years, I self-taught myself many skills and overcame failures by treating them as lessons. In my 40s, I returned to university to study computer science—the very subject I was discouraged from pursuing. This milestone was not just about proving others wrong but proving to myself that I could overcome barriers.

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AI as a Catalyst for Growth

Though I have always wanted to write, my dyslexia and challenges with logic made it a daunting task. Programming, for example, took me decades to master, and even then, I often struggled with swapped letters in variable names—a nightmare for any coder.

When I was made redundant during the COVID-19 pandemic, I faced a perfect storm of obstacles: my age, a career transition, and the challenges of staying relevant in the IT industry. I took a detour into the care sector, working with dementia patients—a rewarding experience that brought perspective but didn’t quell my drive to develop and create.

It was during this time that I discovered the potential of AI. Initially skeptical, particularly after lackluster results with AI imaging platforms, I decided to try ChatGPT. Using it to improve the articles I struggled to write, I was blown away by the results. AI didn’t just produce better content—it became a partner in my journey of self-improvement.

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AI as a Tool, Not a Shortcut

AI has become an indispensable tool for me, particularly when it comes to writing. However, I don’t use it as a substitute for creativity or effort. Instead, I write my articles first and then ask AI to refine them. This approach allows me to overcome the hurdles of dyslexia, stay engaged in the creative process, and improve my skills over time.

Using AI this way is akin to crafting a nutritious meal rather than relying on fast food. When treated as a collaborative partner, AI enhances your output while preserving the integrity of your work. Conversely, if used as a quick fix without genuine effort, it may hinder personal growth.

For me, AI serves as a tool to:

• Overcome Dyslexia: AI helps me structure my thoughts and correct grammatical errors that would otherwise slow me down.
• Hone My Writing Skills: By comparing my drafts to AI’s refinements, I learn how to express ideas more clearly and effectively.
• Boost Productivity: Tasks that once took hours now take minutes, allowing me to focus on creativity and strategy.

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The Dual Nature of AI: A Choice of Use

Like any tool, AI has both positive and negative potential. It can be a crutch, enabling lazy habits, or a stepping stone to greater heights. How we choose to use it defines its impact.

Critics may dismiss AI as “cheating,” but for people like me—those who face unique challenges—it is a lifeline. AI has revolutionized how I work and produce, giving me opportunities I never thought possible. My only regret is that I didn’t have access to such technology earlier in life.

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Lessons Learned: Embracing AI for Self-Improvement

AI is not just about automation or convenience—it’s about empowerment. For individuals facing obstacles like dyslexia, it offers a chance to participate fully in creative and intellectual pursuits. For anyone willing to put in the effort, it can be a partner in learning, growth, and self-expression.

The key is to use AI thoughtfully:

• Start with your own ideas and input, allowing AI to refine rather than replace your voice.
• Treat AI as a learning tool, using its suggestions to identify areas where you can improve.
• Embrace the journey of growth, recognizing that AI is a means to enhance your skills, not circumvent them.

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Conclusion

Using AI to bring out the best in yourself is a journey of balance and intentionality. It is not a substitute for effort or creativity but a powerful tool to amplify both. For me, AI has been transformative, helping me overcome the barriers of dyslexia and enabling me to achieve goals I once thought unattainable.

The next time you use AI, ask yourself: Am I using it to cheat, or am I using it to grow? The answer will determine whether AI becomes a shortcut or a stepping stone in your journey toward excellence.

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