You’re a helpful assistant

Facundo Salade
𝐀𝐈 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐤𝐬.𝐢𝐨
3 min readJan 24, 2024
A robot who works as personal trainer, lifting weights at the gym

As we ride the crest of the AI wave, it’s time we rethink our approach to these transformative tools. ChatGPT and its ilk are not just fancy gadgets; they’re reshaping the landscape of human expertise and productivity.

It’s not just about emulating old methods; it’s about unlocking new capabilities.

Using ChatGPT to get simple recommendations is like using a Swiss Army knife just to open bottles.

This paradigm shift demands a new mindset. We’re not just users of AI; we’re collaborators. These LLMs, brimming with human cultural knowledge, are like conduits to our collective history. Yet, to unlock their true potential, we must refine our inquiries and interactions.

A key concept in this transformation is the “Best Available Human Standard” (BAHS) proposed by Ethan Mollick, suggesting a pragmatic approach to determining when and how AI might be more effective than human intervention in various scenarios.

BAHS raises a fundamental question: Can the best AI available at a specific moment and place solve a problem better than the best available human in that situation? This perspective acknowledges both the potential and limitations of AI, suggesting that AI should be used as a complement to human skills, rather than a complete replacement. AI, in many cases, acts as an advanced virtual assistant that elevates the overall capability of a team or individual but under human guidance and supervision.

But I believe the best way to show and explain this is with some examples

Training

Imagine this: you are decided to get in good shape. You know you need to do excercise and eat better. You go to your local gym, but feel that the trainers there don’t help you getting a plan tailored to your needs and capacities. That’s the main reason most (including me) quit the gym in the first month.

But what if we could ask our GymBro AI Assistant to help us with it?

The response from GymBro
A man doing a forearm plank exercise, illustrated by DALL-E 3

Meal Plan and Shopping list

Ok, but that’s not it. You need to eat better to lose/gain weight ann build muscle. Eating healthy within a budget it’s not always easy. And, if you don’t have great skills at cooking, you need help with the recipes, ingredients, etc.

What if we asked AI again, but this time to our Meal Planner, to create a nutritious but also tasty meal plan that suits our budget and our goals?

An screenshot from one of my current projects: MealPlanner

Conclusion

These examples highlight the practical applications of AI in improving our lifestyle choices. They show that AI can be a personal, adaptable tool, tailored to individual needs and preferences.

You have a helpful assistant in your pocket: what are you going to do about it?

--

--