The Evolution of AI Never Stops Surprising Me

Artificial intelligence is changing the way I learn, create and work. What started just over a year ago as curiosity (writing prompts, generating images, trying out videos) has become a real tool for developing ideas, building applications, organising myself better and exploring new ways to add value to companies and people.

I'm 27, I'm an industrial engineer, and few technologies have filled me with as much wonder as artificial intelligence. I say that from the feeling of watching, almost in real time, how a technology is expanding what's possible for anyone with curiosity, judgment and a willingness to try.

How I started learning AI

I began learning about artificial intelligence a little over a year ago, on a course I did at Instituto de Empresa (IE).

Even though an LLM is, at its core, a probabilistic model that responds based on patterns, its real potential appears when it's combined with human curiosity, creativity, context and the ability to ask better questions. AI doesn't think for you: that's the baseline. But it can help you think better, faster and from places you might never have reached on your own.

From writing prompts to building applications

During the first few months, my use of AI was fairly basic: writing prompts, generating images, trying out videos and experimenting with new tools. But gradually that changed. Now I'm starting to develop applications and websites, both for personal use and to explore possible solutions for clients.

For me, one of the areas where I see the most potential is personal organisation, something I've always found hard and where I believe AI can help me build systems that are more useful, simpler and better suited to the way I work.

I also see an enormous opportunity in showing companies that many solutions no longer necessarily start with large technical teams, but with a good idea, a clear need and the ability to prototype quickly.

AI as a tool for production and learning

There's a comparison I'm keen to share:

Smartphones often trap us in a loop of distraction: social media, infinite scroll, notifications, constant consumption. Artificial intelligence is also trapping me, but in a different way. Not so much to distract, but rather to produce, learn and explore things that a few years ago would have seemed beyond my reach.

Tools like Claude Code and other AI-assisted creation environments are opening a very powerful door: the ability to build digital products, automations, websites or prototypes without necessarily starting from deep technical knowledge. That doesn't eliminate the need for judgment. On the contrary, it makes it more important.

Why it's worth keeping your feet on the ground

As an industrial engineer, I think it's important to look at technology with enthusiasm, but also with a degree of caution.

There's a lot of hype around artificial intelligence. And there probably will continue to be. But beneath the noise there's also a very clear reality: we're looking at a technology full of possibilities for those who dare to experiment, make mistakes and learn. The key is to try without losing your mind. To make small mistakes. To understand what genuinely adds value and what is just a pretty demo.

YouTube as a free university for AI

One of the things that's surprised me most is the sheer amount of knowledge available for free. YouTube has become a kind of open university for learning about artificial intelligence, automation, assisted programming, productivity, design, business and practically any topic you want to explore.

My recommendation to anyone with curiosity is simple: start with an area you find hard. Try AI on something where you feel you're struggling. It might be writing better, getting organised, analysing data, learning to code, preparing presentations or getting to grips with a new tool.

Open question

If you've made it this far, I'd love to know how you're experiencing this technology yourself. Not necessarily from a business angle. I'm more interested in the human perspective: what it stirs in you, what concerns you, what excites you or what possibilities you're starting to see.

Take care.