Nowadays, some people proudly claim, “I don’t use AI,” as if that makes them more authentic or thoughtful. It’s a statement meant to signal depth or discipline, like choosing to write letters by hand instead of sending an email.
But let’s be clear: using AI well takes real skill. It’s not about shortcuts. It’s about knowing how to work smarter.
To get the best out of AI, you need to understand how to give it clear instructions, how to judge its output, and how to keep your unique voice while using it. This is a creative process that requires critical thinking and adaptability.
Being a good writer or strategist is important. But if you don’t know how to build strong prompts or polish AI-generated content, you’re not showing strength. You’re missing an opportunity.
Using AI is not cheating. It’s smart collaboration. Struggling for hours to write a single paragraph isn’t a sign of brilliance if a tool could help speed things up. AI doesn’t take away your intelligence. It saves your time so you can use that intelligence on more important problems.
Romanticizing hard work doesn’t always make sense. There’s no reward for burnout, and grinding through repetitive tasks doesn’t make anyone a better thinker.
Instead of wasting time formatting or rewriting, use AI to brainstorm, organize, or improve your content. Start small and learn as you go. The better your questions, the better your results.
In 2025, real talent lies in knowing how to use available tools effectively. Refusing to adapt isn’t a mark of principle. It’s simply holding yourself back.
AI won’t take away your creativity. It will show you how to use it better. So no, you’re not smarter because you struggle. You’re just making life harder than it needs to be.
