Marketplace Tech Making the most of AI, without the hype
16 snips
Feb 2, 2026 
Christopher Mims, Wall Street Journal tech columnist and author of How to AI, offers practical guidance for using AI wisely. He discusses AI as an assistant, why specialists get the most value, the need for human oversight, everyday mundane uses like summaries and calendar automation, and the rise of always-on ambient chatbots.
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AI As An Assistant, Not A Replacement
- AI is a tool that can teach users how to use it and act as an assistant rather than a replacement.
- Christopher Mims says this lets anyone iteratively discover ways AI can speed up small daily tasks.
Experts Gain The Most From AI
- Experts benefit most because they bring judgment to prompt and correct AI outputs.
- Mims warns that hallucinations are inherent to modern AI and experts must check the work.
Using Notebook LM To Learn Obscure Topics
- Mims uses deep research tools and Notebook LM to quickly summarize obscure topics and generate interview-style outputs.
- He says this helps him learn things no podcast covers and get up to speed fast.
