Arizona Weighs In: The Surprising Ways We’re Using (and Avoiding) AI

You can’t turn around these days without someone talking about AI. We’ve moved past the conversation about whether we should integrate AI into our daily lives to a discussion of how it’s being used.

I asked this question on social media: “If you use AI, what do you use it for? Work, emotional support, finding recipes, advice…or??”

The answers ran the gamut from casual use to using it as a research tool, with some people saying they practice complete avoidance of Artificial Intelligence altogether, at least as much as possible. It seems to depend on trust, technical expertise, and need. Here’s an overview of the responses.

The News‑Skimmers And Source‑Checkers

A surprising number of folks who answered my question said they use AI regularly, cautiously, and with a healthy distrust of anything that seems a bit sketchy.

I use AI to generate bullet points on trending news stories, so I can stay informed without compromising my inner peace. I ask for links so I can double-check the information and dig deeper when something catches my attention.

According to Pew Research, about 38% of U.S. adults now use AI as I do for news summaries. So, a little over a third of us are using it to keep our peace, while staying as informed as possible.

RELATED: The Debate Over AI In Education: Arizona's Virtual Charters

Sean is a power user. He told us he creates detailed agents to get the information he needs. He says he drafts prompts that make AI verify sources it shares, so he doesn’t get tricked by satire sites posing as journalism, which AI notoriously struggles with. AI simply does not understand our humor, yet.

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Arizona’s Power Users Who Treat AI Like A Swiss Army Knife

Some respondents said they use AI for simple, everyday tasks, like recipe recommendations based on ingredients in their pantry.

Then there are the high‑octane users. The folks who really know what they’re doing and treat AI like a multi‑tool that can be used for an exact task.

Matthew uses it to grade papers. Sean told us he writes multi‑page prompts for hiring evaluations. Dave? Dave uses AI for work, cooking, troubleshooting, writing books, making music, and, he added, getting solid advice that has quadrupled his investment portfolio.

These are the folks who remind us that, in the right hands, this is a tool that can build and enhance our world.

The Creatives Making Comics, Memes, And Mischief

Several people said they use AI for fun. Ashley told us she made a comic strip for work to illustrate a point in a presentation she had to give.

Tony generated a “lumbarjack” meme after his friend got hit by falling wood. Shelly uses it to run a book club and a gaming server.

The Companionship And Advice Crowd

One thing people have pointed out about AI is how it uses follow-up questions to create a supportive discussion.

Because of this, some people told us they use AI the way others use a friendly neighbor: for recipes, pep talks, or a sounding board.

One user told us he chats with his AI “daily, all day,” especially when he needs an ear. Michael uses it like a personal coach for workouts, meals, and sleep. These folks are not alone; according to peer-reviewed research from Sentio University, “ChatGPT may be the largest provider of mental health support in the United States”.

National surveys show about 1 in 5 Americans now use AI for emotional support or life advice, so Arizona’s not alone here.

The “Absolutely Not” Brigade

And of course, we have the holdouts.

Elle, Tom, Kathy, and Royce said they’re not fans of the system, and they had some valid reasons.

Kathy worries AI fabrication “takes away from true artists.” Darleen says she doesn’t use it, though she’s noticed that Google quietly uses AI behind the scenes, so it’s hard to avoid completely.

Our opinions about the AI landscape are an array of enthusiasm and healthy skepticism.

READ: Will AI Replace Arizona's White Collar Workers?

What AI Is, Really

Sean summarized it perfectly:

“AI is like an incredibly smart toddler. It will tell you everything you want to know, with no filters unless you give them, and if it doesn't immediately know the answer, it will confidently make it up on the spot, hoping that what you're hearing is what you wanted. Once you know that, the rest is just making sure that it doesn't invent facts for you.”

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