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Forbes
an hour ago
- Business
- Forbes
How To Use ChatGPT Prompts To Make $100/Day In 2025
You don't need to wait for your next pay check or run into credit card debt to cover the unexpected Your car needs an urgent repair the morning of a job interview. Your kid needs extra money for a school project. An unexpected bill hits you way before payday, and out of nowhere, a medical emergency arises and now you're slammed with hospital bills. Ever had a situation arise that demanded $100 or more, fast? All of the above scenarios usually have us resorting to our credit cards and going into more debt just to cover the unexpected. But did you know that right now, you have access to two of the most valuable assets you'll ever need for your career, which can cover you financially when your salary isn't enough? These two assets are: If you knew there was a way to make $100 or more within a day's work, outside of your job, you'd jump at the opportunity, right? Well in this article, you'll learn how to leverage AI tools like ChatGPT, and combine it with your skill set. This short guide will cover five ChatGPT prompts you can use right now to help you maximize your earning power, so you're not going from paycheck to paycheck, or at the mercy of your employer's discretion, waiting for a pay rise. You'll discover: Why ChatGPT Is The Perfect Tool For Making Money Online What used to take hours, days, or weeks, or be accomplished with tedious workflows and expensive SaaS tools, can now be achieved within minutes. ChatGPT is one of the best tools to use in combination with your expertise, because it literally does whatever you prompt it to do. You can teach yourself and give yourself a crash course on anything, any skill, and make money as you learn. When I started freelancing and launched my business in 2019 when I was 19 years old, I literally had no clue what I was doing…well at least that's what I thought. I had zero professional certifications, qualifications, psychology background, or work experience in the field I created my business in (coaching). It still tickles me to this day how I was able to miraculously pull it off, land clients, gain high customer satisfaction, and expand to where I am now as a six-figure entrepreneur. Mind you, I accomplished all of that, largely without ChatGPT (it didn't exist when I started, until three years later). My point? If I can start a business out of nothing, with no prior experience or professional expertise in that field, and teach myself from Google, so can you; but this time, you have it way easier than me because you have the advantages of leveraging ChatGPT as your business assistant and virtual teacher. 4 ChatGPT Prompt Examples To Make $100/Day Use these simple prompts: Create X [specified number] ideas for Instagram reels for my client for this month. Include captions for each. Every caption should have a strong hook and a CTA. Some CTAs can lead directly to sales, while others are softer, like polls, giveaways, etc. This prompt works well for social media management within different social media apps, not just Instagram. Social media marketing is a high-income skill, estimated to be worth up to $1.5 trillion by 2030. Help me generate the marketing strategy for [type of client] for the next 90 days, using [list the channels, email marketing, client's blog, social media, etc.]. After doing this, give ChatGPT a follow-up prompt: Can you explain the reasoning behind this marketing strategy? Why did you do XYZ? This allows you to learn as you earn, instead of just copying and pasting blindly. It allows you to dig into any sources cited for context, and actually teach yourself this high-income skill, while getting paid. I'm designing a landing page for [type of client and industry]. The landing page should [provide the specs]. Help me write the copy for this page that will attract leads and increase conversion rates. Also what are some key elements I should include on the landing page for strong optimization and visual appeal, and why? Landing page design can earn you from $125 for a day's work, according to a NetCredit report. High-Income Skills That Pay $100+ In A Day These ChatGPT prompts help you leverage high-paying skills to create services that can easily cover emergencies with just one or two clients a week. NetCredit's analysis also included other high-paying skills that you can turn into services and products, that pay $100 or more a day in 2025. The full top 10 list includes: How To Use ChatGPT To Scale These Side Hustles Now that you know which skills pay the most money right now in 2025 so you can earn online, here are a few ways you can put ChatGPT to work as your business assistant. Quick tip before you go: Making $100 or more in a day because way easier when you're not relying on one income stream. You need to have several. Launch multiple side hustles that complement each other, so you're not burned out. Eventually, use AI to help you scale so you can produce more while working less. High-income skills like social media management and marketing strategy can earn you in excess of ... More $120 a day FAQs How fast can I earn $100? Once you have the right systems in place and have established trust with your audience, it's easier for you to pull off a project or gig worth $100 or more, which you can lay aside for those unexpected financial crises. What's the easiest way to make money with ChatGPT, for beginners? Start with something you're already comfortable with and have expertise in. Then, ask ChatGPT to help you scale and build passive income products with it.
Forbes
8 hours ago
- Business
- Forbes
5 Ways ChatGPT Is Redefining LinkedIn Networking For Entrepreneurs
Entrepreneur building LinkedIn network According to the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor 2023-2024 report, 24% of young entrepreneurs are actively engaged in starting or running businesses, yet many struggle with time management while balancing growth activities on LinkedIn and other platforms. Teen and young adult entrepreneurs face additional challenges, including building credibility while competing against more established professionals on LinkedIn. LinkedIn has become essential for business development, but traditional LinkedIn networking approaches consume hours without guaranteed returns. This time crunch hits younger entrepreneurs particularly hard as they juggle business building with school, family commitments, and limited resources. Young entrepreneurs face a choice: spend significant time crafting individual LinkedIn messages and content or risk appearing generic in a crowded LinkedIn marketplace. ChatGPT offers entrepreneurs of all ages a middle path—maintaining personalization while scaling LinkedIn networking efforts efficiently. For younger business owners, AI tools level the playing field by helping them create professional content and outreach that competes with seasoned entrepreneurs. Here's how smart business owners are using AI to build meaningful professional relationships on LinkedIn. Writing individual connection requests and follow-up messages can consume several hours each week. Most entrepreneurs either send generic messages or spend too much time personalizing each one. ChatGPT helps you find the middle ground. Use this prompt: "I want to connect with [specific role/industry] professionals on LinkedIn. Help me create a connection message template that I can customize with specific details about each person. The message should be professional, specific, and under 200 characters." For LinkedIn follow-up messages, try: "I recently connected with someone on LinkedIn who [specific background detail] The key is using ChatGPT for structure while adding personal details about each LinkedIn contact. A message that mentions their recent article or company milestone performs far better than AI-generated content alone. Most entrepreneur profiles read like resumes rather than marketing tools. They list past jobs instead of showcasing current value and future potential. ChatGPT can help reframe your LinkedIn profile around client needs. Use this prompt: "I'm an entrepreneur in [industry] who helps [target client] achieve [specific outcome]. Help me write a LinkedIn headline and summary that attracts potential clients, partners, and investors. Focus on results I deliver rather than credentials I have." Your LinkedIn headline should answer this question: "What problem do you solve for whom?" Instead of "Startup Founder," try "Helping Restaurants Increase Revenue 30% Through Data-Driven Marketing | SaaS Entrepreneur | Foodtech Innovator." Young entrepreneurs can add credibility by highlighting specific results rather than relying solely on years of experience. For your LinkedIn summary, lead with client outcomes, include a brief origin story, and end with a clear call to action. It's all about developing and sharing your personal brand. Teen entrepreneurs should focus on passion, problem-solving abilities, and early wins rather than traditional credentials. People connect with entrepreneurs who can help them, regardless of age. Consistent posting on LinkedIn helps build visibility, but many entrepreneurs struggle with creating engaging content. They either share random thoughts or spend hours crafting posts that few people engage with. ChatGPT can generate LinkedIn content ideas aligned with your business goals. Try this prompt: "I'm building a [type of business] and want to attract [specific audience] on LinkedIn. Generate 10 post ideas that position me as an expert while providing value to potential clients. Include questions that encourage engagement." The most effective LinkedIn content for entrepreneurs combines industry insights with personal experiences. Share lessons from specific client projects, predictions based on your expertise, or frameworks you've developed. People follow entrepreneurs who offer practical wisdom, not generic business advice. Post consistently on LinkedIn rather than perfectly. Two valuable posts a week are better than one brilliant post quarterly. Random networking wastes time. Successful entrepreneurs connect strategically on LinkedIn with potential clients, partners, investors, and mentors who align with their business goals. ChatGPT can help you identify ideal LinkedIn connections. Use this prompt: "I'm building [business description] and need to connect with [specific types of people] on LinkedIn. What LinkedIn search terms should I use? What mutual interests or challenges might we share? How should I position myself when reaching out?" Create LinkedIn connection campaigns around specific business objectives. If you're raising funding, target angel investors in your particular industry or sector. If you need strategic partnerships, focus on complementary service providers. Quality beats quantity in LinkedIn entrepreneurial networking. Research LinkedIn prospects before connecting. Check their recent posts, company news, or mutual connections. A reference to their latest achievement or shared connection dramatically increases response rates. Networking isn't about collecting LinkedIn connections—it's about building relationships that create mutual value. Many entrepreneurs connect and then disappear, missing opportunities to develop partnerships. ChatGPT can help you maintain consistent LinkedIn engagement. Try this prompt: "I want to stay connected with my LinkedIn network without being pushy. Help me create a system for engaging with others' content, sharing valuable resources, and maintaining relationships over time." Engage with others' LinkedIn content before promoting your own. Comment thoughtfully on posts from potential clients or partners. Share relevant articles with specific LinkedIn connections who might find them helpful. Make introductions between contacts who could benefit from knowing each other. Use ChatGPT to draft LinkedIn comments that add value rather than just praise. Instead of "Great post!" try something like "This reminds me of a similar challenge we faced at [company]. We found that [specific insight] was particularly helpful. Thanks for sharing your perspective." ChatGPT makes LinkedIn networking more efficient, but successful entrepreneurs still invest time in building genuine relationships on LinkedIn. Use AI to handle structure, templates, and initial drafts, then add personal touches that reflect authentic interest in others. The entrepreneurs who succeed on LinkedIn provide value before asking for anything—regardless of their age or experience level. They share insights, make connections, and solve problems for others. ChatGPT makes these LinkedIn activities more scalable, giving younger entrepreneurs the tools to compete professionally. For teen and young entrepreneurs, start with one area—perhaps optimizing your LinkedIn profile or planning your next month of LinkedIn content. As you see results, expand your use of AI tools to other LinkedIn networking activities. The key advantage younger entrepreneurs have is adaptability and a willingness to embrace new tools, such as AI.
WIRED
12 hours ago
- Business
- WIRED
How AI Is Helping Kids Find the Right College
Jun 20, 2025 6:30 AM College counselors in the US are too overworked to meet with every student. A new wave of specialized AI tools can learn students' interests, then recommend schools, areas of study, and scholarships. Photo-Illustration:After Julia Dixon graduated from the University of Michigan in 2014, her family and friends asked for her help with the college application process. Dixon was happy to share her recently earned expertise about the world of higher education but soon realized how many parents and students in her community needed help and how hard it was for them to access that support. The ratio of college counselors to students in the US, according to the American School Counselor Association, is one for every 376 students. Many students don't have proper access to a college counselor to help them with admissions or pick which schools and areas of study might suit them best. Hiring a private college counselor is an option, but that can cost thousands of dollars. In 2023, Dixon founded ESAI, a platform powered by artificial intelligence designed to assist students with the college admissions process. She also posts videos on TikTok about college planning and talks about how AI tools can be supportive to kids who don't know what their career options are. Access to the AI platform starts at around $21 per month, far less than private counseling. The Right Fit ESAI uses a matching algorithm, Dixon says, to help students understand all the factors that go into picking a school. First, ESAI directs students to a 'major mentor' and then to the school matchmaker. These tools assess things like the students' future goals, their sociability, the class size they thrive in, and whether they want to live near the campus. The results are highly personalized. 'A lot of kids come to us when they're more actively applying to school,' Dixon says. They may know where they want to apply and just need help writing their admissions essays or beefing up their applications. 'Our college essay support and quantifying calculator helps kids quantify the impact from activities they've already done,' she says. For example, if a student spends a lot of time babysitting younger siblings, the software can help them quantify that time as leadership skill-building and so they can put it on their application as a learned skill. Spending Wisely While finding the right school and major are top of mind for most families, so is the cost of higher education. 'A huge piece is the financial side,' Dixon says. 'How do we weigh options for in-state versus out-of-state tuition? How do we look at scholarships that can supplement you?' ESAI's scholarship tool matches a student's hobbies and interests as well as their demographics and financial situation to pair them with the best scholarship options. For example, there are scholarships available for students who are first-generation Americans or for women who are interested in STEM: science, technology, engineering, and math programs. Jon Carson started the College Guidance Network, an AI-powered counseling platform, when his son was a sophomore in high school. Back then, Carson couldn't get an appointment with the school counselor, and there were few resources specifically for parents. The conversations that families have about college—which ones to apply to, which ones they can afford—typically happen after hours, Carson says. 'We are talking to our kids at night, on the weekend, and during vacation, because during the day they're in history class and we're at work. Well, counselors are out of the building at night, on the weekend, and during vacation. It's an unfortunate mismatch.' To remedy that divide, he created the College Guidance Network, a web platform with advice from more than 375 experts who understand the application process. The site has a library of content as well as videos and PDF resources about the college application process that parents and kids can review together. It also offers 'office hours' with an admissions expert. The site's tagline is 'Experts for everyone, all in one place.' The expert content covers four main stages of college planning: discovery, admissions steps, financial aid, and the parent-teen dynamic, so parents can learn how to work with their children during this process when, typically, the teen might be reluctant to take advice from their parents. Students and parents are guided through the selection process by Eva, an AI counseling assistant, which surfaces advice drawn from that library of expert data and can also turn to the internet to find more individualized information, like application due dates for specific colleges or what the registration deadlines are for the SAT and ACT tests. The system creates a calendar with due date reminders so students can more easily hit those deadlines. The system is provided by college counselors in 60 high schools, and a dozen college admissions offices are signing up to sponsor Eva for inquiring families to lower their admissions anxiety. Eva was recently also made available to the public for a monthly fee starting at $15, so students and their families can access the system from home. Life Coaches Emily Pacheco is the associate director of admissions at Case Western Reserve University and the founder of an organization that encourages ethical AI adoption in college admissions. She says that kids today are using AI like a life coach. 'I really look at it as a thought partner,' Pacheco says. 'The number one usage of ChatGPT right now is for therapy and companionship. People are using this technology to help them make decisions about their lives, and students are using it to help them navigate the college admission process.' While some high school and college students may be using generative AI to cheat, write essays, or solve homework problems, some educators feel like it doesn't cross a line to use it as a study partner, a tutor, or as a helper to tighten up writing. Pacheco says the essay writing process can be done ethically with the help of AI. 'We talk about brainstorming and outlining and getting feedback like, 'Hey, is my essay saying what I want it to say to the audience? Is it going to be received in the way that I expect it to be received?' AI [gives] pretty thoughtful responses that sometimes can be better received than responses from a parent or even a college counselor.' Additionally, these new AI-powered guidance counselor programs can help students find alternate paths in life if their interests are pointing them somewhere other than a four-year college. 'There are really great community colleges that might be the next best step,' says Pacheco. Other students might benefit more from going to trade school. This type of school selection guidance is helpful not only for students but also for colleges and universities, she says, since fewer students are applying to most schools. While there are thousands of higher-education programs in the US, the top 30 or so schools receive an abundance of applications, and the rest may struggle to fill their student quotas. 'Everyone knows about the demographic cliff,' says Geoff Baird, founder of the enrollment management platform Enroll ml. Fewer students are applying to colleges, partly because of declining birth rates but also because the high cost of higher education makes it harder to see the return on investment. "This is all fundamentally changing the enrollment environment for institutions,' Baird says. Many college recruiters attend high school college fairs to find the kids who will thrive in their programs. Enroll ml helps college recruiters make those same types of connections without having to travel to meet students face-to-face. The platform uses machine learning to help a higher-education institution more effectively identify students within their applicant pool who would be a good fit. Then it creates personalized communications for admissions teams so those institutions can reach out to those students and develop relationships, Baird says. The system analyzes the timing, patterns, and interactions of hundreds of behaviors—such as which types of communications the students engage with and how quickly they respond, or if they visited the school or browsed online—to know which schools students are seriously considering. This is especially needed today since over 1,000 colleges and universities use Common App, a program which enables students to apply to dozens of schools with the press of a button. 'An institution has highly limited resources on the admissions and enrollment side, so when they are spending time on students who are not actually interested, that is taking away time and attention from students who really are,' Baird says. In this competitive and chaotic landscape, whether a student is looking for the right school or a school is looking for the right student, AI is helping them find one another.
Geeky Gadgets
a day ago
- Geeky Gadgets
Master AI Design Tools to Create Stunning Visuals Like a Pro
Imagine being able to create stunning, professional-grade designs without years of training or an expensive software suite. Thanks to the rise of AI-powered design tools, this is no longer a distant dream but an accessible reality. Whether you're a seasoned designer looking to streamline your workflow or a complete beginner eager to make your mark, AI has leveled the playing field. But here's the catch: while these tools can generate polished visuals in seconds, they're only as effective as the person guiding them. The key lies in knowing how to harness their potential while adding your unique creative touch. So, how do you bridge the gap between automation and artistry to truly design like a pro? This overview by Greg Isenberg will unveil the strategies, tools, and principles you need to elevate your design game with AI. From crafting precise prompts that unlock the full potential of AI tools to mastering timeless design fundamentals, you'll discover how to create outputs that are not only visually stunning but also deeply aligned with your goals. You'll also explore the challenges of AI-generated designs—like their tendency to feel impersonal—and learn how to overcome them with thoughtful input and iteration. Whether you're aiming to build trust with your audience, enhance user experiences, or simply stand out in a crowded market, this guide will equip you with the insights to do so. After all, great design isn't just about tools—it's about the vision and strategy behind them. AI Tools for Better Design Understanding the Challenges of AI-Generated Designs AI design tools have made significant strides in simplifying the creative process, but they are not without limitations. Many AI-generated designs can feel generic or lack the emotional depth required for professional-grade work. This stems from the fact that AI often relies on predefined patterns and lacks the human intuition necessary to align with specific brand identities or evoke emotional connections. To address these challenges, your role as a designer becomes crucial. Guiding AI tools with detailed, well-structured prompts that reflect your vision is essential. Without clear direction, the results may fall short of expectations, leading to outputs that feel disconnected or uninspired. Your input ensures that the AI-generated designs align with your goals, brand identity, and audience expectations. How to Create Effective Prompts for AI Design Unlocking the full potential of AI design tools begins with crafting effective prompts. Clear and detailed instructions help AI understand your vision and produce tailored results. Here are some strategies to create better prompts: Define specific design elements, such as typography , color schemes, and layout preferences, to guide the AI. , color schemes, and layout preferences, to guide the AI. Provide visual references, such as websites or designs you admire, to offer context and inspiration. Incorporate specific visual hierarchies or animation styles to ensure the design aligns with your goals. or animation styles to ensure the design aligns with your goals. Use prompt builders or templates to structure your instructions for clarity and precision. The more context and detail you provide, the closer the AI's output will align with your expectations. This approach not only enhances the quality of the designs but also reduces the time spent on revisions. The Secrets to Professional-Grade Designs with AI Watch this video on YouTube. Advance your skills in AI design tools by reading more of our detailed content. Mastering Core Design Principles Even with the assistance of AI tools, a solid understanding of fundamental design principles remains essential. These principles serve as the foundation for creating visually appealing and functional designs, allowing you to refine and customize AI-generated outputs to better suit your needs. Key principles include: Visual Hierarchy: Organize content to guide the viewer's attention effectively, making sure the most important elements stand out. Organize content to guide the viewer's attention effectively, making sure the most important elements stand out. Typography: Select fonts that enhance readability and align with your brand's tone and identity. Select fonts that enhance readability and align with your brand's tone and identity. Layout Structures: Use grids, sidebars, and tables to create organized and functional designs that are easy to navigate. Use grids, sidebars, and tables to create organized and functional designs that are easy to navigate. Depth and Polish: Add animations, shadows, and gradients to make designs more dynamic and engaging. By mastering these principles, you can adapt AI-generated templates to create unique outputs that reflect your brand's identity and resonate with your audience. Top Tools and Resources to Enhance Your Workflow A wide range of tools and resources are available to streamline your design process and help you achieve professional results. Here are some of the most effective options: Design Platforms: Tools like Aura , Vzero , and Lovable offer robust features for creating and coding designs with ease. Tools like , , and offer robust features for creating and coding designs with ease. Open source Resources: Websites such as CodePen , React Bits , and Unsplash provide access to components, animations, and high-quality images to enhance your designs. Websites such as , , and provide access to components, animations, and high-quality images to enhance your designs. Collaborative Tools: Platforms like Figma and image-to-HTML converters enable seamless integration of custom designs into your workflow. These tools empower you to go beyond generic designs, allowing you to create something truly distinctive and tailored to your specific needs. Practical Tips for Aspiring Designers If you're new to design, it's important to start small and focus on mastering one element at a time. Here are some practical tips to guide your journey: Experiment with typography , color palettes, and layouts to gradually build your skills and confidence. , color palettes, and layouts to gradually build your skills and confidence. Remix existing designs to suit your specific needs and learn from their structure and composition. Stay updated on design trends to expand your creative vocabulary and stay relevant in the industry. to expand your creative vocabulary and stay relevant in the industry. Use AI tools as a starting point to accelerate your learning curve and refine your outputs over time. Remember, design is a skill that improves with consistent practice and persistence. By focusing on incremental progress, you'll develop the expertise needed to create impactful and professional designs. The Business Value of Thoughtful Design Thoughtful design is more than just aesthetics—it's a strategic tool that can drive tangible business outcomes. High-quality designs can: Build trust: A polished design enhances your brand's credibility and professionalism. A polished design enhances your brand's credibility and professionalism. Differentiate your offerings: Unique designs help you stand out in competitive markets. Unique designs help you stand out in competitive markets. Drive engagement: Intuitive interfaces and visually appealing elements improve user experiences and conversion rates. Intuitive interfaces and visually appealing elements improve user experiences and conversion rates. Enhance brand recognition: Consistent and attractive designs foster loyalty and make your brand memorable. For instance, a clean and user-friendly interface can lead to higher customer satisfaction, while distinctive designs can position your product at a premium price point. Thoughtful design is an investment that pays dividends in customer trust and business growth. Embracing Iterative Design Processes Design is rarely perfect on the first attempt. Iteration is a critical part of the creative process, allowing you to refine your work and achieve better results. Here's how to embrace an iterative approach: Begin by addressing a specific problem or need with your design. Gather user feedback to identify areas for improvement and ensure your design meets audience expectations. to identify areas for improvement and ensure your design meets audience expectations. Use analytics to understand how users interact with your designs and identify opportunities for enhancement. Experiment with new approaches if an initial idea doesn't work, and remain open to change. This cycle of testing and refinement ensures your designs evolve to meet user needs effectively, resulting in more impactful and successful outcomes. Encouragement for Aspiring Designers Design can feel overwhelming at first, especially with the complexity of modern tools and the vast array of possibilities. However, persistence and a willingness to learn are key. Focus on creating designs that resonate with your audience and solve real problems. Use the wealth of tools and resources available to streamline your process and enhance your outputs. Over time, you'll develop the skills and confidence needed to produce designs that are both impactful and professional. Media Credit: Greg Isenberg Filed Under: AI, Guides Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
Fast Company
2 days ago
- Fast Company
Will AI replace humans at work? 4 ways it already has the edge
If you've worried that AI might take your job, deprive you of your livelihood, or maybe even replace your role in society, it probably feels good to see that the latest AI tools fail spectacularly. If AI recommends glue as a pizza topping, then you're safe for another day. But the fact remains that AI already has definite advantages over even the most skilled humans, and knowing where these advantages arise—and where they don't—will be key to adapting to the AI-infused workforce. AI will often not be as effective as a human doing the same job. It won't always know more or be more accurate. And it definitely won't always be fairer or more reliable. But it may still be used whenever it has an advantage over humans in one of four dimensions: speed, scale, scope and sophistication. Understanding these dimensions is the key to understanding AI-human replacement. Speed First, speed. There are tasks that humans are perfectly good at but are not nearly as fast as AI. One example is restoring or upscaling images: taking pixelated, noisy or blurry images and making a crisper and higher-resolution version. Humans are good at this; given the right digital tools and enough time, they can fill in fine details. But they are too slow to efficiently process large images or videos. AI models can do the job blazingly fast, a capability with important industrial applications. AI-based software is used to enhance satellite and remote sensing data, to compress video files, to make video games run better with cheaper hardware and less energy, to help robots make the right movements, and to model turbulence to help build better internal combustion engines. Real-time performance matters in these cases, and the speed of AI is necessary to enable them. Scale The second dimension of AI's advantage over humans is scale. AI will increasingly be used in tasks that humans can do well in one place at a time, but that AI can do in millions of places simultaneously. A familiar example is ad targeting and personalization. Human marketers can collect data and predict what types of people will respond to certain advertisements. This capability is important commercially; advertising is a trillion-dollar market globally. AI models can do this for every single product, TV show, website, and internet user. This is how the modern ad-tech industry works. Real-time bidding markets price the display ads that appear alongside the websites you visit, and advertisers use AI models to decide when they want to pay that price—thousands of times per second. Scope Next, scope. AI can be advantageous when it does more things than any one person could, even when a human might do better at any one of those tasks. Generative AI systems such as ChatGPT can engage in conversation on any topic, write an essay espousing any position, create poetry in any style and language, write computer code in any programming language, and more. These models may not be superior to skilled humans at any one of these things, but no single human could outperform top-tier generative models across them all. It's the combination of these competencies that generates value. Employers often struggle to find people with talents in disciplines such as software development and data science who also have strong prior knowledge of the employer's domain. Organizations are likely to continue to rely on human specialists to write the best code and the best persuasive text, but they will increasingly be satisfied with AI when they just need a passable version of either. Sophistication Finally, sophistication. AIs can consider more factors in their decisions than humans can, and this can endow them with superhuman performance on specialized tasks. Computers have long been used to keep track of a multiplicity of factors that compound and interact in ways more complex than a human could trace. The 1990s chess-playing computer systems such as Deep Blue succeeded by thinking a dozen or more moves ahead. Modern AI systems use a radically different approach: Deep learning systems built from many-layered neural networks take account of complex interactions—often many billions—among many factors. Neural networks now power the best chess-playing models and most other AI systems. Chess is not the only domain where eschewing conventional rules and formal logic in favor of highly sophisticated and inscrutable systems has generated progress. The stunning advance of AlphaFold2, the AI model of structural biology whose creators Demis Hassabis and John Jumper were recognized with the Nobel Prize in chemistry in 2024, is another example. This breakthrough replaced traditional physics-based systems for predicting how sequences of amino acids would fold into three-dimensional shapes with a 93 million-parameter model, even though it doesn't account for physical laws. That lack of real-world grounding is not desirable: No one likes the enigmatic nature of these AI systems, and scientists are eager to understand better how they work. But the sophistication of AI is providing value to scientists, and its use across scientific fields has grown exponentially in recent years. Context matters Those are the four dimensions where AI can excel over humans. Accuracy still matters. You wouldn't want to use an AI that makes graphics look glitchy or targets ads randomly—yet accuracy isn't the differentiator. The AI doesn't need superhuman accuracy. It's enough for AI to be merely good and fast, or adequate and scalable. Increasing scope often comes with an accuracy penalty, because AI can generalize poorly to truly novel tasks. The 4 S's are sometimes at odds. With a given amount of computing power, you generally have to trade off scale for sophistication. Even more interestingly, when an AI takes over a human task, the task can change. Sometimes the AI is just doing things differently. Other times, AI starts doing different things. These changes bring new opportunities and new risks. For example, high-frequency trading isn't just computers trading stocks faster; it's a fundamentally different kind of trading that enables entirely new strategies, tactics, and associated risks. Likewise, AI has developed more sophisticated strategies for the games of chess and Go. And the scale of AI chatbots has changed the nature of propaganda by allowing artificial voices to overwhelm human speech. It is this 'phase shift,' when changes in degree may transform into changes in kind, where AI's impacts to society are likely to be most keenly felt. All of this points to the places that AI can have a positive impact. When a system has a bottleneck related to speed, scale, scope, or sophistication, or when one of these factors poses a real barrier to being able to accomplish a goal, it makes sense to think about how AI could help. Equally, when speed, scale, scope, and sophistication are not primary barriers, it makes less sense to use AI. This is why AI auto-suggest features for short communications such as text messages can feel so annoying. They offer little speed advantage and no benefit from sophistication, while sacrificing the sincerity of human communication. Many deployments of customer service chatbots also fail this test, which may explain their unpopularity. Companies invest in them because of their scalability, and yet the bots often become a barrier to support rather than a speedy or sophisticated problem-solver. Where the advantage lies Keep this in mind when you encounter a new application for AI or consider AI as a replacement for, or an augmentation to, a human process. Looking for bottlenecks in speed, scale, scope, and sophistication provides a framework for understanding where AI provides value, and equally where the unique capabilities of the human species give us an enduring advantage.
