Latest news with #AmandaCaswell
Forbes
28-06-2025
- Health
- Forbes
The AI Mental Health Market Is Booming — But Can The Next Wave Deliver Results?
AI tools promise scalable mental health support, but can they actually deliver real care, or just ... More simulate it? In April of 2025, Amanda Caswell found herself on the edge of a panic attack one midnight. With no one to call and the walls closing in, she opened ChatGPT. As she wrote in her piece for Tom's Guide, the AI chatbot calmly responded, guiding her through a series of breathing techniques and mental grounding exercises. It worked, at least in that moment. Caswell isn't alone. Business Insider reported earlier that an increasing number of Americans are turning to AI chatbots like ChatGPT for emotional support, not as a novelty, but as a lifeline. A recent survey of Reddit users found many people report using ChatGPT and similar tools to cope with emotional stress. These stats paint a hopeful picture: AI stepping in where traditional mental health care can't. But they also raise a deeper question about whether these tools are actually helping. A Billion-Dollar Bet On Mental Health AI AI-powered mental health tools are everywhere — some embedded in employee assistance programs, others packaged as standalone apps or productivity companions. In the first half of 2024 alone, investors poured nearly $700 million into AI mental health startups globally, the most for any digital healthcare segment, according to Rock Health. The demand is real. Mental health conditions like depression and anxiety cost the global economy more than $1 trillion each year in lost productivity, to the World Health Organization. And per data from the CDC, over one in five U.S. adults under 45 reported symptoms in 2022. Yet, many couldn't afford therapy or were stuck on waitlists for weeks — leaving a care gap that AI tools increasingly aim to fill. Companies like are trying to do just that. Founded by Sarah Wang — a former Meta and TikTok tech leader who built AI systems for core product and global mental health initiatives — BlissBot blends neuroscience, emotional resilience training and AI to deliver what she calls 'scalable healing systems.' 'Mental health is the greatest unmet need of our generation,' Wang explained. 'AI gives us the first real shot at making healing scalable, personalized and accessible to all.' She said Blissbot was designed from scratch as an AI-native platform, a contrast to existing tools that retrofit mental health models into general-purpose assistants. Internally, the company is exploring the use of quantum-inspired algorithms to optimize mental health diagnostics, though these early claims have not yet been peer-reviewed. It also employs privacy-by-design principles, giving users control over their sensitive data. Sarah Wang- Founder, Blissbot 'We've scaled commerce and content with AI,' Wang added. 'It's time we scale healing.' Blissbot isn't alone in this shift. Other companies, like Wysa, Woebot Health and Innerworld, are also integrating evidence-based psychological frameworks into their platforms. While each takes a different approach, they share the common goal of delivering meaningful mental health outcomes. Why Outcomes Still Lag Behind Despite the flurry of innovation, mental health experts caution that much of the AI being deployed today still isn't as effective as claimed. 'Many AI mental health tools create the illusion of support,' said Funso Richard, an information security expert with a background in psychology. 'But if they aren't adaptive, clinically grounded and offer context-aware support, they risk leaving users worse off — especially in moments of real vulnerability.' Even when AI platforms show promise, Richard cautioned that outcomes remain elusive, noting that AI's perceived authority could mislead vulnerable users into trusting flawed advice, especially when platforms aren't transparent about their limitations or aren't overseen by licensed professionals. Wang echoed these concerns, citing a recent Journal of Medical Internet Research study that pointed out limitations in the scope and safety features of AI-powered mental health tools. The regulatory landscape is also catching up. In early 2025, the European Union's AI Act classified mental health-related AI as 'high risk,' requiring stringent transparency and safety measures. While the U.S. has yet to implement equivalent guardrails, legal experts warn that liability questions are inevitable if systems offer therapeutic guidance without clinical validation. For companies rolling out AI mental health benefits as part of diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI) and retention strategies, the stakes are high. No If tools don't drive outcomes, they risk becoming optics-driven solutions that fail to support real well-being. However, it's not all gloom and doom. Used thoughtfully, AI tools can help free up clinicians to focus on deeper, more complex care by handling structured, day-to-day support — a hybrid model that many in the field see as both scalable and safe. What To Ask Before Buying Into The Hype For business leaders, the allure of AI-powered mental health tools is clear: lower costs, instant availability and a sleek, data-friendly interface. But adopting these tools without a clear framework for evaluating their impact can backfire. So what should companies be asking? Before deploying these tools, Wang explained, companies should interrogate the evidence behind them. 'Are they built on validated frameworks like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), or are they simply rebranding wellness trends with an AI veneer?,' she questioned. 'Do the platforms measure success based on actual outcomes — like symptom reduction or long-term behavior change — or just logins? And perhaps most critically, how do these systems protect privacy, escalate crisis scenarios and adapt across different cultures, languages, and neurodiverse communities?' Richard agreed, adding that 'there's a fine line between offering supportive tools and creating false assurances. If the system doesn't know when to escalate — or assumes cultural universality — it's not just ineffective. It's dangerous.' Wang also emphasized that engagement shouldn't be the metric of success. 'The goal isn't constant use,' she said. 'It's building resilience strong enough that people can eventually stand on their own.' She added that the true economics of AI in mental health don't come from engagement stats. Rather, she said, the show up later — in the price we pay for shallow interactions, missed signals and tools that mimic care without ever delivering it. The Bottom Line Back in that quiet moment when Caswell consulted ChatGPT during a panic attack, the AI didn't falter. It guided her through that moment like a human therapist would. However, it also didn't diagnose, treat, or follow up. It helped someone get through the night — and that matters. But as these tools become part of the infrastructure of care, the bar has to be higher. As Caswell noted, 'although AI can be used by therapists to seek out diagnostic or therapeutic suggestions for their patients, providers must be mindful of not revealing protected health information due to HIPAA requirements.' That's especially because scaling empathy isn't just a UX challenge. It's a test of whether AI can truly understand — not just mimic — the emotional complexity of being human. For companies investing in the future of well-being, the question isn't just whether AI can soothe a moment of crisis, but whether it can do so responsibly, repeatedly and at scale. 'That's where the next wave of mental health innovation will be judged,' Wang said. 'Not on simulations of empathy, but on real and measurable human outcomes.'
Tom's Guide
15-06-2025
- Health
- Tom's Guide
Want stronger legs without running? I tried rucking for a week, and it's a game-changer
I've been writing about fitness for the past decade and have seen countless workout trends come and go. Right now, everyone is talking about the benefits of walking, and more specifically, walking with a weighted backpack — also known as rucking. Rucking has roots in military training, and is a full-body workout that'll strengthen your muscles and send your heart rate soaring. Rucking is new to me, but never one to shy away from a challenge, I swapped my daily runs for rucking for a week. Read what happened when I grabbed a weighted backpack and gave this a go. The Novablast 5 are our favorite running shoes overall. They come in a variety of colors, are great for runners or walkers of all levels, and deliver an impressive mix of comfort, responsiveness, and versatility. Rucking is walking with a weighted vest or backpack on your back. Despite the weight, it's a low-impact workout, and you don't need any special equipment to get started. Despite lots of brands selling specialized rucking vests, a regular, comfortable backpack (preferably with padded shoulder straps) loaded with a dumbbell or a couple of books is enough to give rucking a go. If you do want to buy a specific vest, our AI writer Amanda Caswell swears by this $25 vest from Amazon. Compared to your regular walk, you'll burn a lot more calories rucking, as your muscles will be working harder to move. As a form of strength training, over time, rucking will help you build and maintain muscle strength, improve bone density, and build your cardiovascular fitness. As with all new exercise routines, it's always a good idea to check with your doctor before trying it, especially if you're recovering from an injury or pregnancy. Keen to find out more, I tried rucking for seven days. There's no doubt about it — rucking is a full-body workout. The additional weight made my walk more challenging from my first step. On day one, I was perhaps a little overambitious, loading a 7kg (15-pound) dumbbell into my go-to running backpack. I'd read that when it comes to selecting a weight for rucking, you should start with 10-15% of your body weight, so at 119 pounds, this seemed about right. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. By the end of the walk, I found that the weight made my walk a lot harder than expected. I could feel my legs working hard, as was my core and upper body, which were working to keep my torso upright. I'm currently 15 months postpartum, so I'd probably recommend starting lighter and building up, rather than chucking yourself into the rucking-deep-end like I did, as I was aching by the time I removed my backpack. As my toddler is only in nursery three mornings a week, for the rest of this challenge, I strapped him to my back instead. Far wrigglier than a dumbbell, he added to the rucking experience, as unlike a dumbbell, he'd lean his bodyweight to the left or right, depending on what he wanted to see. He also added the extra challenge of having to fish snacks out from my pockets and raise my arms to hand them to him. The good news is, however, focusing on pointing out every school bus and garbage truck made my 30-minute walk pass by faster. My top tip when it comes to trying rucking for the first time? Spend a decent amount of time getting properly set up before you walk. As I mentioned, on day one, the weight was too heavy and I kept stopping to tighten or loosen straps as I went. I walked with a running backpack that had a chest strap, which I found really helped distribute the weight evenly across my back. I also appreciated the padded shoulder straps. When it came to carrying my toddler, I used the Osprey Poco Child Carrier, and spent some time adjusting the back support to ensure the weight wasn't sitting on my hips. This isn't the kind of walk where you want to rush out the door — the right set up is essential if you want to avoid injuries. The Osprey Poco Child carrier comes in black or green (pictured), has zippered pockets to store snacks and other items, comes with a sun shade, and can support itself on the ground. It can accommodate children up to 40 pounds. I don't often have to consider my form as I walk, but the additional weight on my back made me do so. The tendency is to lean your torso forward, especially towards the end of the walk, as your muscles get tired, but this can put additional strain on your lower back. Start with a lighter weight, and think about keeping your shoulders back and your abs braced as you walk. My verdict after a week of rucking? I loved the additional challenge, and this is definitely something I'll keep in my routine. As my toddler gets bigger and I get stronger, the weight will increase, making him my perfect rucking companion. That said, if you don't have an energetic 15-month-old to strap to your back, why not invest in one of the best adjustable dumbbells instead?
Tom's Guide
03-06-2025
- Business
- Tom's Guide
Tom's Guide AI Awards 2025: 17 best AI tools and gadgets right now
Across all of the areas of tech, we here at Tom's Guide are certain artificial intelligence is leading the charge. It's in your smartphones, TVs, fridges and just about any product with a screen these days. More than that, AI models and chatbots are changing the world, bringing a new kind of productivity to both individuals and companies alike. With that in mind, our inaugural Tom's Guide AI awards are a chance to celebrate the industry and the best implementations of the tech we've seen over the last 12 months. From the best AI chatbots and image generators, to the best fitness trackers and AI sleep tech — it's all here. Our AI awards recognize the best in the industry, rewarding innovation and real-world impact in a market that feels increasingly crowded. These awards have been judged by our in-house experts on the Tom's Guide team. Bringing together a wealth of tech experience, every product in this list has been tested extensively. After hours of AI prompting, device testing and generally making the most of the AI revolution, these are the winners of the Tom's Guide AI awards 2025. A late addition to the game, Google's Gemini 2.5 Pro has been topping the leaderboards of some of the best-known AI benchmarks. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Excelling at coding and app development, educational tasks and mathematical thinking, Gemini is showing the potential that AI has to offer over the next few years. While the competition is strong, with OpenAI's reasoning models equally topping an array of leaderboards, and the likes of DeepSeek offering a much more affordable alternative, Gemini's recent announcements at Google I/O 2025 secures its position as the leading power right now. This won't last for long with the speed that AI is currently moving, but with advancements in deep reasoning, video generation voice assistants and AI agents, Gemini is excelling everywhere right now. - Alex Hughes DeepSeek has carved out a spot as a scrappy contender in the AI chatbot space, standing out for its strong performance in coding, creative writing and logical reasoning — all driven by its impressively efficient V3 model. After winning our AI Madness competition earlier in the year, this underdog continues to gain traction with a clean interface, mobile apps, and built-in image generation, offering a flexible toolset for developers and creatives alike. While more polished platforms like ChatGPT tend to play it safe, DeepSeek's looser content filters make room for edgier, more experimental responses — though that freedom can lead to more hallucinations and factual missteps. It's available in both free and paid plans ($10–$20/month), but its China-based servers and avoidance of sensitive topics have raised some concerns. Still, for those comfortable double-checking the facts, DeepSeek proves that budget-friendly AI can still deliver big results. - Amanda Caswell Photo generation has come a long way in recent months, but no company has shown this more than ChatGPT. Yes, there has been fierce competition from the likes of Gemini, Midjourney and new comers like Freepik, but since its latest image update, ChatGPT has shown no signs of slowing down. While it doesn't like to stray too far into the world of creativity like Midjourney, ChatGPT's image generation is consistently producing top-tier AI images. More importantly, the model has developed its prompt understanding far beyond the competition, generating high-quality images from incredibly simple prompts. - Alex Hughes A relative newcomer to the scene, Kling only launched last year. And yet, it has quickly dominated the space of AI video generation. Sure, this technology is fairly new in general but with Kling's second generation that launched in the last couple of months, it has quickly asserted itself into the world of AI. There are plenty of other great video generators out there, like OpenAI's Sora or Runway, but for the blend of pricing, creativity and quality, Kling snags the top spot in our eyes. However, it's worth noting that this space is growing rapidly. Gemini has just updated its AI-generated video tool and is turning heads with its Veo 3 model and Flow video creation tool. Watch this space. - Alex Hughes Perplexity has cemented itself in the world of AI thanks to its impressive search capabilities. Think Google, but with more generative AI and detail. While it's still a chatbot — like Gemini or ChatGPT — Perplexity has made the most of searching the internet, guiding you through buying advice, giving directions or simply helping answer the burning questions on your mind. We even tried replacing Google with Perplexity as a daily search engine, and we were impressed by it's sheer versatility and helpfulness. With recent news of a partnership with PayPal — meaning this could be the first chatbot to allow in-app purchases — Perplexity is taking AI search to a level no competitor has yet to reach. - Alex Hughes A research tool developed by Google, NotebookLM has become one of the best AI tools out there. It's described as a note taking and research assistant which, on the face of it, doesn't sound too exciting. However, when it comes to any research project, NotebookLM does exactly what you need. Upload PDFs, websites, YouTube videos, Google Docs and pretty much any type of online file and NotebookLM can search through them. These files are all then analyzed, providing timelines, FAQs, study guides and briefing documents. With more recent updates, you can even get audio overviews in a podcast style or mind maps. While other AI brands have started to offer similar systems, this remains the best AI research tool we've tried at Tom's Guide, especially considering how well it is able to analyze large chunks of data. Don't have a project in mind yet? NotebookLM can also generate research around a random topic, searching the internet for the best sources of information for you to learn. - Alex Hughes Google's Gemini Live, now free for all users, sets itself apart from traditional voice assistants by offering a more dynamic and context-aware experience. Instead of relying solely on spoken commands, it allows both Android and iOS users to share their smartphone's camera and screen, enabling real-time assistance based on what the AI can see. This multimodal approach means Gemini Live can identify objects, provide visual step-by-step guidance and offer insights on content users are actively interacting with. The assistant also supports natural, free-flowing conversations, adjusting to interruptions or shifts in intent without losing track. Its integration with Google services like Gmail, Drive, and Calendar (with user permission) allows it to deliver personalized and contextually relevant responses. With support for over 45 languages and recent expansion to iOS, Gemini Live is designed to be both versatile and accessible — positioning it as the leader in the evolving voice assistant space. - Amanda Caswell Grammarly has been around for years now, offering up one of the internet's best grammar checkers. However, by making the most of advancements in AI, Grammarly has managed to remain ahead of the competition. It excels when it comes to refining existing text, and fixing those little mistakes that sneak through. On top of that, for an AI tool, it's surprisingly human-like in its suggestions for style changes and how to add some character to your writing. Grammarly can detect AI writing, and is available across a huge range of platforms, including as a Chrome extension or a standard word processor like Microsoft Word. It's not that Grammarly is necessarily the most impressive AI writing tool out there, but it thrives in its usefulness, utilizing AI in a way that is necessary for millions of people. - Alex Hughes Trying to decide the best AI laptop was an interesting discussion with the Tom's Guide computing team. Do we go for the best overall system that can do some good AI stuff on the side (like the HP OmniBook X), or do we go for the full-blown AI PC with the monster horsepower to train its own models and run complex AI tasks offline? We decided to go for the latter, which is why the crown goes to the Asus ROG Strix Scar 18. It's a gaming laptop at heart, but that pairing of RTX 5090 and Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX (combined with a huge total wattage of power) leads to some crazy AI feats for power users. You see, an NPU is good for everyday AI tasks. But to really push it to the limit, you need a GPU, and the 1,837 trillion operations per second (TOPS) of AI performance quite frankly embarrasses any typical Copilot+ PC. This means lightning performance on demanding creative AI tasks, like Photoshop neural filters on RAW images, and even the ability to run complex AI models offline for training. - Jason England The world of smart glasses is getting increasingly more competitive, with the likes of Android XR coming around the corner and Apple working on a pair of AI glasses of its own. But the Ray-Ban Meta specs remain on top for now. Why? Simple: an ever-growing list of new AI features that are actually useful. At first, they started as a glorified pair of audio and camera glasses — nothing much to write home about except for the stylishness of them. But Meta's biggest AI drops have almost been perfectly timed to moments where our team needed them. Our managing editor of computing at Tom's Guide used these as a visual AI model that helped him get more information about the sights of Costa Rica, to set reminders based on what he was looking at, and most recently as a live translator. Glasses are one of the best ways to wear AI on the go, and not only are these the most sleek-looking, they're the smartest too. - Jason England Google's latest Pixel phones stand out for their cameras just as much as their AI-powered features. And the two come together beautifully in the Add Me feature for Google Photos. The person behind the camera has previously had to take a selfie to get in on a group shot, or accept they won't appear in it. But Add Me allows you to tag out with someone else, letting you find a spot to join for a second photo while showing the outline of the previous shot to make sure you don't accidentally overlap. The Pixel will then combine those photos for a final image where everyone who should be in frame is present and accounted for. It's a complex feat to accomplish, requiring AI and augmented reality working in tandem. But it's also easy to understand and use, as all the best smartphone feature ought to be. It's not just for group shots. Google notes that it can be fun to use the tool to make one person appear twice in the same frame - but however you use it, there's a lot of potential for fun and meaningful picture-taking. And all without needing to hire a professional photographer to follow you around. - Richard Priday Samsung debuted its Galaxy AI feature package last year, but it's been taken to another level with the Galaxy S25 series. From the base model to the fully-armed Galaxy S25 Ultra, or the new Galaxy S25 Edge, Samsung offers users all kinds of productive and creative AI tools as a key part of the experience. As soon as you unlock the S25, you can do things like order Gemini to complete a task involving multiple apps with cross-app actions (compatible with both Google and Samsung-made apps) or open up Now Brief for a personalized look at what's happened today and what's coming up. If something piques your curiosity, you can find out more with Circle to Search, or strike up a conversational search with Gemini Live. In your Photos album, which you can now search with natural language rather than tags and keywords, you can use Generative Edit to tidy up or add more to your shots. Auto Trim and Audio Eraser are also available to help cut together and improve the sound of video clips. Plus, the usual text-based tools of transcribing audio, translating between languages or tweaking your text to better match a given style are still here too. And that's not even mentioning the health advice and tracking enabled by using a Galaxy Watch or Galaxy Ring wearable. It's safe to say there's an enormous variety of AI tools at your disposal on the Galaxy S25 series. And that should mean that whoever you are, there's something you'll find useful. - Richard Priday Eight Sleep is at the forefront of smart bed technology using AI primarily in its sleep analyzer and coaching systems to enhance sleep quality, which is why we rate it as one of the best smart mattresses on the market today (despite not being a mattress at all.) The Eight Sleep Pod 4 is a smart mattress cover that can turn any mattress into an AI-powered bed that heats up and cools down through the night to keep you at the best temperature for sleeping. It also tracks your sleep metrics without you having to wear anything and wakes you up gradually with a vibration and thermal alarm. Where does AI come into play? Eight Sleep's AI, 'Autopilot', is trained on nearly 10 million hours of sleep data. This in-bed system learns about your individual sleep habits and makes real-time adjustments to keep you sleeping peacefully. The cover is laced with sensors that track your individual biometrics, including heart rate and sleep stages, while the AI sleep coach translates this data into personalized sleeping tips, which you access via the compatible app. - Nicola Appleton Runna is one of the best running apps on the market, and for good reason — it's like having a running coach in your pocket. The clever app uses AI to provide runners with tailored training plans and then make adjustments based on their goals and performance. Like a real coach, the AI tool will analyze data from your sessions and make suggestions on pace targets and your overall training. Unlike other fitness AI products, which regurgitate information you've already submitted, Runna really adds something to your training and takes the guesswork out of analyzing your progress. During testing, we were impressed with the easy-to-use interface and how the app breaks training down into easy-to-understand sessions. You can also easily download the sessions onto your running watch, as the app easily syncs with Garmin, Coros, and Apple Watches. In fact, our senior fitness editor used Runna for 16 weeks to train for her fifth marathon and ended up taking 14 minutes off her PR. - Jane Mcquire Despite what they're advertising, few TVs are leveraging AI in new and exciting ways. For 2025, LG has added a chat assistant in its new OLED lineup, while Sony continues in its efforts to re-brand its basic upscaling tech as cognitive AI. Of all the TV makers out there, however, Samsung seems to be the one putting in the work to make AI a useful aspect of its OLED TV lineup with its AI Vision technology. This is available on sets like the Samsung S95F. Part of AI Vision's mission is better upscaling via a content pattern recognition algorithm, but it also supports Galaxy Watch's Universal Gestures and adds Live Translate that detects and translates the dialog in movies and shows into your preferred language in real time. Less useful features like AI-generated wallpaper and a smarter version of Samsung's Bixby voice assistant are also available here. But, by and large, Samsung feels like it's taking TV AI in the right direction compared to the competition. - Nick Pino The Plaud NotePin is one of the most interesting products we've reviewed — and our team at Tom's Guide reviews dozens of new devices every month. We approached the NotePin with a degree of skepticism after the likes of the Rabbit R1 and the Humane AI Pin. However, we experienced a simple yet helpful solution when we tested the Plaud NotePin. It's basically just an AI-powered dictaphone. Instead of you transcribing the contents of your audio files, the NotePin deals with all that for you. Thanks to this wearable, you can even configure the transcriptions to format precisely how you need. We also loved the design and versatility. At just two inches long it can be worn as a watch, necklace, pin or clip. On top of being super inconspicuous, it's also pretty adept at turning hours of speech into easily-digestible writing. - Erin Bashford In a world where Ring is synonymous with security cameras, Eufy is quietly cleaning up with an AI-enabled indoor camera that offers an easy, clean interface, useful features and a high-quality image day or night. The C220 is comparable to many other indoor security cameras, but after testing it for a short period of time I found a lot to recommend about it. The 2K video is clear, as is the audio, which makes the C220 useful no matter what room it's in. The 360-degree pan and tilt lets you check on every corner of a room or area, and the Privacy Mode allow you to shutter it when necessary. The AI motion detector catches any movement in the room, whether it's an intruder or simply your cat heading out for a stroll. The camera can identify human figures, recording their entire route and ensuring they remain in sight. While this (hopefully) shouldn't be needed for intruders, it is a nice way to watch back moments that happen in your daily life (and is there for safety if needed). And because the C220 can use a microSD card, it doesn't require a subscription in order for you to play back video. - Amber Bouman
Forbes
16-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
New Survey Says 67% Of Jobs Use AI, But Do Leaders Understand Its Limits?
In a survey of 1,000 knowledge workers, 67% of respondents said that their companies use AI, with 56% of companies encouraging AI usage. Owl Labs created the survey, and they found that Gen Z employees are more likely to report being 'heavily reliant' on AI, with 70% of the youngest generation leaning in on the tech for a multitude of tasks. That lines up with the observations of OpenAI CEO, Sam Altman, who recently shared that Gen Z workers view ChatGPT as a 'life adviser". Embracing technology is a good idea, but is Gen Z sqeezing LLMs too tightly? What do these current and future workforce leaders need to know, about what AI can (and can't) do? 'Older people,' Altman told an audience at Sequoia Capital's AI Ascent Event, 'use ChatGPT as a Google replacement. People in college use it as an operating system.' Tech Crunch reports that younger adults have fairly complex prompts memorized, which also means saved in the notes on their phone, and they rapidly and frequently pepper the program with problems and queries. Altman goes on to say that, "they [Gen Z and Gen Alpha] AI expert Amanda Caswell, a writer for Tom's Guide, says, 'Personally, I've used ChatGPT to tackle everything from project summaries to panic attacks, and have found it to be a great sounding board when facing tough choices. While it's no substitute for human guidance or a therapist, ChatGPT can be a great assistant in a pinch.' There's definitely an upside to having a second opinion on various aspects of your life and work - especially when that perspective has access to trillions of data points, the works of Freud, Jung, and James, as well as most of recorded history. But there are risks that can come with using AI, and leaning in too heavily on the platform. Experts say that it's important to be careful how much you share with AI - and how you use the tool at work. Your AI girlfriend may disagree, but how you embrace AI is where the conversation really begins. The rewards are many, but so are the risks - and using LLMs wisely is good counsel for every generation. What to Watch Out For With AI: Experts Weigh In 'AI has no world model,' according to process scientist, Sam Drauschak. Questions that require real-world context can be a challenge for ChatGPT and other AI platforms. 'When you ask it to read this picture of a clock, it's strictly pattern prediction.' Louis Rosenberg, Stanford professor and author of Our Next Reality, says that large language models really struggle with the simple task of reading a clock. While the platform has incredible advantages, sometimes the simple stuff is not so simple. Rosenberg says that sometimes AI is dyslexic. And, as someone who is dyslexic, Rosenberg's perspective gives an interesting read on why AI struggles to tell time. 'When I recall things in my mind (objects, environments, images, or text), I don't visualize them from a fixed first-person perspective. I think about them from all directions at once, more as a vague cloud of perspectives than a single, grounded orientation,' he explains - articulating the AI point of view. That's how large language models see things - and it often means that vector orientations (such as 'clockwise') are elusive to AI platforms. 'When you ask AI to interpret a tissue sample," he says, using an application from healthcare that is becoming more and more common, 'accuracy is not impacted by orientation.' But innovative problem-solving and creative thinking is. While AI can generate novel combinations for text and produce creative works in art and music, its capacity for truly original thought and breakthrough innovation remains limited. But the speed of the platform can be astonishing. So, should we treat AI like just another voice in the room, or the voice of God? 'Think about it more like an intern,' Drauschak advises. "AI doesn't do anything new. It synthesiz
Tom's Guide
13-05-2025
- Tom's Guide
I've been using ChatGPT since it launched — this is the one prompt that never fails me
AI can do some incredible things. It can code entire websites, run complicated security programs and help discover entirely new drugs. However, day to day, where AI is most useful is in the most basic of uses. Take ChatGPT, for example. I, and many other people, use ChatGPT every single day. It's a tool that can help you in so many ways. But there is one particular prompt that I use the AI chatbot for more than anything else. Our AI writer, Amanda Caswell, listed something similar as one of her top five prompts for AI chatbots, and I couldn't agree more. Since AI chatbots first appeared, I've been asking them to 'explain it to me like I'm a child.' This simple prompt has helped me understand complicated scientific concepts, tariffs, and, to be perfectly honest with you, concepts that I probably should understand. By asking ChatGPT a prompt along this line, the model will quickly condense any concept into a manageable explanation, usually complete with metaphors or visual explanations to help you out. For example, if I ask ChatGPT to explain black holes to me like I'm five, this is what I get back: 'Imagine a black hole like a big invisible vacuum cleaner in space. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. So if you get too close, you get sucked in and can't get out, just like toys getting sucked into a vacuum. That's why it's called a black hole — because it doesn't let any light out, so we can't see it. But don't worry — they're very far away and can't hurt us!' Sure, it's a bit condescending, but it explains an arguably complicated subject in a short period in very understandable language. This kind of prompt was incredibly popular in the early days of AI chatbots, but these models have come a long way since then. Because of this, you don't necessarily need to be as simple in your prompt to get this kind of answer. For example, instead of asking it to treat you like a child, you can simply explain your level of understanding on a given topic. When asked, 'explain black holes to an adult who has no understanding of science at all', this is what ChatGPT responded with. One of the things I like about this kind of prompt is how much it makes use of the conversational nature of ChatGPT. Set out your level of understanding on a topic, and you'll get an explanation at your level. If it still doesn't make sense, ask for it to be simplified further, ask for a metaphor to explain it, or even a visual explanation of the concept. Equally, if ChatGPT has dumbed things down a little bit too far, ask for a clearer, more advanced explanation. Or if you're adopting the aging system, up your level. 'Explain this concept like I'm a University student,' or if you're feeling really confident, try something like 'explain this concept like I am an expert in this subject and we're discussing it together.' Be warned, when I tried this on the black hole topic, this was what I was met with: Lost? So am I! It might feel a little bit ridiculous to simplify your knowledge base to that of a child but I love this feature. Over the years, ChatGPT has oversimplified topics to me on a daily basis, with us having a back-and-forth conversation until I understand a subject fully. So often I have found myself having to work backwards with subjects until I understand them. This is just starting the opposite way!
