Five things AI can do that genuinely surprise people
AI can do far more than most people expect — and you don't need any technical know-how to put it to use. Here are five everyday examples that tend to take people by surprise the first time they try them.
1. Find the right words when you're stuck
If you need to write something sensitive — a complaint, a difficult conversation, a letter that needs exactly the right tone — AI can help you find the words. Describe the situation and how you want to come across, firm but not aggressive, clear but not cold, and it will produce a draft you can fine-tune in minutes rather than staring at a blank page.
2. Suggest a recipe from whatever's in the fridge
Tell AI what you've got in the fridge or cupboard, even an unusual combination, and it will suggest something to cook that actually works — sometimes a dish you'd never have thought of yourself.
3. Explain a confusing letter in plain English
Medical letters, official paperwork, insurance documents — if the wording is full of jargon, you can type the key parts into AI and ask it to explain what they mean in simple terms. Within seconds you have a clear, calm explanation instead of a worrying mystery.
4. Help plan a trip you've been putting off for years
Describe the kind of holiday you've always wanted — the region, the pace, the things you enjoy — and AI can put together a detailed, thoughtful itinerary to get you started. It won't book anything for you, but it will turn a vague idea into a real plan.
5. Save hours of research
Need background on a fairly niche topic? Instead of an afternoon spent going back and forth between websites, you can ask AI a series of questions and have a clear summary of everything you need in a fraction of the time.
Want to go further?
All of this — and much more — can be explored in depth at one of Kevin's workshops or in a follow-up session after a free library talk. If anything here has caught your imagination, ask Kevin to show you how it works.
See upcoming events