Many years ago, when I lived on Waiheke Island, I saw a job advertisement by an architect who was searching for someone who could use technology well and digitally draw the hand-drawn plans of the office.
At that time, I was only two years out of civil engineering, the work I used to do in Hungary, and had recently taken an AutoCAD course at Unitec in Auckland. Although this architect was using a different program, I applied for the job and learned quickly the most important operational methods of the program that afternoon. I got the job, and day by day, as I was working there, I figured things out to be able to work efficiently.
Since I started teaching online in 2023, I have looked at it through the same lens. I am figuring things out. Though I have been taking digital marketing courses and studying with designers and visual artists, I taught myself how to build my website and how to use programs for my advertising campaigns.
There has been so much discussion about AI around me lately.
I got interested.
I started to experiment.
First, I tried grammar correction for my writing. Then I discovered that it could also give me valuable feedback as a proofreader.
I’ve been enjoying this cooperation enormously, especially when I discovered that the quality of my blurry old photos of my artwork could be improved also.
I do my pencil drawings the same way, but now I am not afraid that the pictures I take of them will look unprofessional because of the camera I use or because the lighting is not good enough.
I still enjoy my dawn writing after my morning walks, and after that I usually write by hand for about 35 minutes. I fill up a diary about once a month, so I find voice typing a great tool for speeding up the process of getting my thoughts onto the page.
I focus on the things I love and have great confidence that what I create this way is the beginning of a new way of communicating and learning in the online space as well.
I am aware of the warnings about its misuse. So I’ve been asking meaningful questions in order to get to the destination I want to reach.
I believe in the power of intentions.
Do I want to perform better in a way that sails on shallow water?
Do I want to proceed faster with the false sense of getting more done in less time?
I use it as a tool, asking it to do small tasks. I don’t expect it to do things instead of me, but I know it can widen my perspective.
I do not expect a complete rearrangement of the furniture—only dusting. Small tasks which, for me, have great value.
When we build something together, we learn from each other by going slowly, step by step. Can we remain aware that, as we reach a certain speed, many risks arise?
Can we use technology without outsourcing our humanity?
I wonder: would we ever have built an airplane without sacrifice?
Would we ever have reached space without making many mistakes?
I choose the path of conscious innovation.
Something uplifting to contemplate.
A pause while speaking.
Time to adjust.
What has your experience with AI been like so far?
I’d love to hear from you.
With curiosity,
Viki
viktoria maczo 