AI is often described as “moving fast,” but that phrase hides something important. What’s really happening isn’t just rapid innovation — it’s consolidation and normalisation. AI Is Becoming Infrastructure We’re entering a phase where AI is less about standalone tools and more about embedded capability. Instead of asking, “Which AI should I use?”, people are increasingly asking, “Why is this already built into my software?” This mirrors what happened with previous software advancements: - Search engines - Spellcheck - Cloud storage Once a technology becomes infrastructure, the advantage shifts from access to skillful use. The Skill Gap Is No Longer Technical A few years ago, the AI gap looked like this: - Can you use AI at all? Today, it looks like this: - Can you direct AI clearly? - Can you evaluate its output? - Can you decide when not to use it? - Can you identify misinformation? Most failures with AI aren’t technical failures. They’re judgment failures — unclear intent, missing context, or uncritical acceptance of confident output. This is why Everyday AI focuses on thinking skills rather than the tools aspect of artificial intelligence. A framework to support tools is a necessity when considering using any form of AI. Why AI Feels Overwhelming Right Now AI creates information pressure: - Constant updates - New models and features - Strong opinions about “must-use” tools But most updates do not change how everyday people should work this week or this month. Filtering matters more than keeping up. Knowing what to take note of is becoming as valuable as knowing what’s new. What This Means for Everyday AI Users Don’ts: - Chase every update - Become a power user - Try and implement every single tool advertised to you. Do’s: - Practice giving better inputs - Build confidence reviewing outputs - Understand AI’s limits as well as its strengths - Give yourself time away from AI and practice individual thinking.