We found stuff AI is pretty good at

Key takeaways

AI tools can significantly simplify daily tasks, from budgeting during moves to managing family schedules.
It's important to double-check AI-generated information, as while it can be helpful, inaccuracies may arise.
Personalized experiences with AI, whether for family management, coding, or even astrology, highlight its versatility.
AI can act as a sounding board, helping users brainstorm and validate decisions.
Innovative uses of AI in niche areas, like tabletop gaming, can enhance creative experiences.

Summary

The Everyday Use of AI

In this bonus episode, host Victoria Song gathers various Verge staffers to discuss their firsthand experiences with AI tools in their daily lives. The conversation dives into practical applications of AI, shedding light on the benefits and limitations they encountered while navigating these technologies.

AI for Moving and Budgeting

Esther Cohen, the Director of Subscriptions, shares her experience using ChatGPT while relocating from New York City to Miami. She finds the AI particularly helpful for budgeting, comparing costs related to moving, and understanding tax implications. Although she faced some challenges with AI in acquiring accurate quotes for moving expenses and insurance, the overall experience was a significant aid in her pre-planning.

AI for Parenting and Scheduling

Allison Johnson, the Senior Smartphone Reviewer, discusses her reliance on AI for managing her family’s calendar and navigating the chaotic schedules that come with raising children. Using AI tools helped her automatically add appointments and reminders, ultimately alleviating some of the stress associated with organizing family activities.

AI as a Companion for Decision-Making

Jake Castronakis, the Executive Editor, explains how using ChatGPT changed his approach to online searching. He emphasizes the importance of double-checking information while appreciating AI's ability to efficiently filter through queries and provide nuanced answers. He also highlights a personal story about working with a contractor and how AI inadvertently helped him identify missing points in the contractor's estimate.

Vibe Coding with AI

Travis Larchuk shares his unique experience utilizing Google Gemini to create an interactive application for a tabletop RPG game. By feeding rules into the AI, he was able to generate character profiles and automate tedious administrative tasks, allowing him to focus more on gameplay.

AI in Nutrition and Wellness

Victoria discusses her use of AI in a rather unconventional way, exploring astrology. By inputting her natal chart into ChatGPT, she asks whimsical questions related to astrology, illustrating how AI can provide lighthearted insights, even if not entirely serious or scientifically backed.

Show notes

In this bonus episode of The Vergecast, Senior Reviewer Victoria Song sits down with a bunch of Verge staffers to talk about how they use AI tools in their everyday lives. Not all of it went smoothly — we definitely get into the ways these tools fall short — but we explore how AI can be used to help bedtime go more smoothly for parents, plan big cross-country moves, supplement your internet searches (always double-check!), and even vibe code an app for your next tabletop role-playing game.

If you have any examples where AI was useful to you, we’d love to hear them. (For what it’s worth, we’d also love to hear stories where it spectacularly failed.) Email us at vergecast@theverge.com or call us at 866-VERGE11, we love hearing from you.
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