018. Following Along
Like opening an old rusty tap, bad ideas - the rusty water, need to follow through to make way for the good ideas - the clean and clear water.
Today, I feel a little more at ease as I write this. Like most days, I am following along with you to discover where these words will lead, however, having had gone through the trial that was my yesterday, I already know today will flow a little smoother.
When AI started gaining popularity back in 2023, I remember being envious of my friends who were still in university as I felt they had leg up. Towards the end of 2024, this feeling began to dissipate as I begun to wonder what this would mean for the community around me. With limited access to technology on the African continent, I figured this would only worsen the stakes in an already dire state.
My sister, who is a major ‘AI/Tech girlie’, asked me to put together a presentation for her detailing my concerns. This never happened. It did however, give me the push I needed to get behind the keyboard and try and make things happen. This project is what came of it.
Instead of obsessing over the hopelessness that was echoing in the back of my mind, I decided I would try and figure out what I was capable of. This was not an easy undertaking - I am still battling much of the imposter syndrome. However, I am now one of those possibly delusional people who believe their job will not be replaced by AI.
Back in 2023, AI was not as integrated as it is now or, as it is about to become. People had to be a lot more tactical about their use and, I'm sure if you were in university around that time then, you probably heard of people who were being failed due to their use of it. Now, the use of AI is encouraged in educational and professional settings. I guess times change and, now more than ever, change comes faster and faster.
Today, if you're not using AI, it is almost marketed as though you are setting yourself up for failure - allowing yourself to fall behind. Yes, there are arguments around risk of lowered cognitive function. However, there are also looming expectations of increased output with work and material that people grow increasingly disconnected from.
Fortunate or unfortunate, my AI competency remains low. My lack of need in 2023 coupled by my scepticism in late 2024 caused a delay in my adoption of these systems. About a month ago, I allowed myself to revisit some of those ideas that made me so hesitant in 2024. With the additional information that 2025 provided and the adoption into workplaces that saw a surge early this year, I begun to wonder why I continued to be so hesitant.
I asked myself, 'what purpose is a tool if it is not utilised?'
So far, what I have learnt is that not every tool in your toolbox gets as much use as the other. Some come out every day and others, are yet to have their moment in the spotlight.
Unlike my sister who is actively working to build AI systems and competencies back home, I lack the knowledge or expertise to speak on the topic of AI. What I do know is as a species, our thoughts are easily influenced.
I don't think in the opening lines of this entry I would have imagined that this is where this would lead. However, I was watching a video about AI before I started writing so, of course, it makes sense.
As you read this on whatever screen or, perhaps you are having your AI companion dictate this to you; it is easy to think that the world has gone fully digital and there is no space for you. Maybe soon, that will be the reality, and I will find myself playing catch-up with everyone who is taking AI courses today. Today, so much of the world still lacks access to technology, let alone electricity.
So, I will leave you with this; be mindful of what you consume because it will show up in what you believe you are capable of.
Perhaps much of the tension I feel before I get to the keyboard could be alleviated by some AI tool, however, without that tension and curiosity, I highly doubt it would feel as good when I get to the point where I can say, ‘I have done my best and I will end my day knowing I did all that I could’.
Dear reader, thank you for giving me a reason to come back here every day and try my best. I hope you are back here tomorrow to see what thoughts make it to the surface.
