Forget the hype cycle and the hot takes, let’s make AI make sense. We break “AI” into three parts you can actually use: the broad umbrella of intelligent software, machine learning that learns from examples, and generative AI that creates text, images, audio, and code. Then we zoom into large language models like ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Copilot, explaining how they predict tokens to produce fluent language and why that fluency isn’t the same as truth. The result is a practical mental model you can apply to your work today. We talk about the real differences between chat and search, and why treating a chatbot like a fact engine sets you up for mistakes. Instead, we focus on task fit and risk: drafting a cover letter, summarizing a dense PDF, clarifying a messy email thread, or comparing gear with the exact specs you provide. You’ll hear where these tools shine, lowering activation energy, turning chaos into structure, coaching like a tutor, and where they fail, from quiet hallucinations to polished but ungrounded answers. Along the way, we dig into verification habits, sources, and the subtle ways confident tone can mislead. To make this actionable, we share a five-point checklist: define role and quality, add constraints, use drafts over final authority, learn red flags, and protect sensitive data. We also call out privacy implications and when to get a qualified human involved, especially for legal, medical, or financial decisions. By shifting trust from tone to verifiability and choosing the right assistant for the job, you’ll get faster outcomes with fewer errors and a lot less frustration. If this helped you rethink how you use AI, subscribe, leave a review, and share the episode with a friend who still asks which chatbot is “smartest.” Your support helps more curious folks find the show. Send me a text message with your thoughts, questions, or feedback Support the show If you enjoyed the show, be sure to follow The Tyler Woodward Project and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app—it really helps more people discover the show. Follow the show on Threads or Bluesky. Get in touch on the official Matrix Space for the podcast. All views and opinions expressed in this show are solely those of the creator and do not represent or reflect the views, policies, or positions of any employer, organization, or professional affiliation.
