On the issue of thinking one is using generative AI.

I held a series of AI workshops for citizens hosted by the local government, with 30 participants.

Their ages and goals were all over the place. Some were there for work, others for hobbies. In such a setting, the content inevitably becomes introductory. Even so, I believe I was able to convey practical ways of using it and ways of thinking about it, rather than just introducing tools or prompt tricks.

The next day, I held a small-group AI workshop at a different location.

For both, I had surveyed their level of AI usage and what they wanted to learn in advance. I want to record what I felt again from that.

Many people answer that they are "using generative AI." But the content and level of that usage vary significantly.

In reality, there are quite a few people whose usage is almost no different from a Google search.

They use ChatGPT. But they are basically on the free tier. They haven't set up personalization. They aren't using the project features either.

They throw a question at it and read the answer. That's all.

From my perspective, that is closer to just touching AI rather than using it.

They are just outsourcing part of their search. They are just outsourcing part of their thinking. It's like the scouter or lightsaber apps from when the iPhone first appeared. They consume it for the novelty as entertainment and that's it.

Their way of making requests and their settings are not yet at the level of actually using generative AI.

However, just by explaining that a little, I receive surprise and gratitude from the participants every time. That just goes to show how many people haven't even reached the entrance yet.

There is another common pattern.

They pay for ChatGPT. But they haven't done the basic setup. They don't even know about GPTs.

They only pay for it because they want to avoid daily limits or do a lot of image generation. That's it.

Honestly, this is quite a waste.

Setting up personalization. Creating projects. Using GPTs.

Only when you reach this point do you finally stand at the entrance to using AI as your own tool.

However, there is a more fundamental problem elsewhere.

Many people do not think about "with what intention they are using AI." Unfortunately, I feel that this really has nothing to do with age, and my own sense of reality and crisis feels correct.

That is why

what premises you are personalizing under,
how you are designing the project,
and how you are using GPTs

are not coming into view.

This is also the reason why just providing input is meaningless.
When you have the output in mind first, the necessary ways to use it to achieve that goal become clear.

That is why I hardly teach prompts in my courses.

There are things to do before that.

Organizing the 6W2H.
What you are doing,
why you are doing it,
who it is for,
how you will use it,
having a framework for thinking before using AI.

Start there.

As a proponent of verbalization, I want to convey this thoroughly.

On the surface, the number of people and companies using AI is increasing.
There was news at the end of last year that about 30% of people are using generative AI, having crossed the chasm.

However, my sense from the field is that only about 10% are using it essentially.
The majority are just touching it. That is the impression I have after many AI courses.

And another thing I feel is the world of 'birds of a feather'.
People at the same level tend to gather around those who are not using AI.
Conversely, people who use it gather around those who do.

Therefore, change your range of action.
Jump into a different environment.
Cross boundaries.

This becomes quite important.

And one more thing.

People hardly change just because they have taken an AI course once.
The number of people who will take action next is probably about 30%.
Honestly, I don't think even 5% will continue to use it consistently from there.

This is not limited to AI; it is not much different from the laws of behavioral change seen until now.

That is why, when I conduct AI courses, I often make it a condition to have at least two sessions.

Understand the basics.
Assign tasks.
Try it out.
Bring homework.

Unless you create this flow, people will not easily move.

Daily life is busy.
Unless you have a very strong will, it is difficult to master AI on your own.

In my case, I ended up in an environment where I work independently and alone.
I cannot function without relying on AI. And because I have experienced the IT revolution and the video revolution, seeing the industrial revolution right in front of me, I had a sense of crisis that AI would encroach on all areas, which allowed me to take action so as not to be left behind.

For ordinary office workers, many people will not be in trouble right away even if they do not use AI. That is why they are reluctant to start. In a sense, this is unavoidable.

However, I think a very clear polarization will occur if things continue this way.

Sensory-wise,
it is the same as the 2:6:2 rule

The 20% who master AI
The 60% who just touch it
The 20% who do not touch it

It will approach such a structure.

And the 20% who master AI and everyone else will no longer be able to see eye to eye.
Even though they are using the same tools, the world they see is completely different.

I think such a state will continue to increase from now on.

However, one last thing.

It is not just about touching AI.
Rather, the opposite.
The more AI evolves, the more the difference in human thinking and communication
will directly become the difference in results.

AI will think for you.
AI will organize for you.
AI will even create materials for you.

But

What to ask.
What to decide.
Who to move forward with.

That remains the human domain.

Therefore, what is needed in the AI era is not prompt skills, but

The power of inquiry
The power to verbalize
And the power to move people.

The number of people touching AI has increased.

But, those who are truly mastering AI are still only a small fraction.
I think this gap will widen significantly in the next few years.

It is not about whether you master AI or not.

Understand the roles and domains of humans and AI, and how to separate and use them.
And, who you use them with.
Do you understand yourself?
It doesn't have to be complicated language; have you been able to articulate it?

In the end, it always comes back to that.