Hard Fork The Wirecutter Show: Tips for Using A.I. Smartly With Kevin Roose
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Dec 30, 2025 
Kevin Roose, a New York Times tech columnist and co-host of a popular podcast, shares his insights on smart AI usage. He discusses his daily AI applications, from helping with parenting and appliance repairs to aiding in book research. Roose highlights the emotional bonds teens form with AI companions and recommends a toolkit of top chatbots. He also explains how AI is transforming shopping and warns of privacy concerns with free services. Plus, he shares anecdotes about his beloved robot vacuums that keep his home tidy!
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Start Small With Non‑Sensitive AI Integrations
- Hook AI tools into narrow, non-sensitive parts of your life first, like personal email, not work accounts.
- Use AI to summarize and draft responses, then review before sending to retain control.
Top Uses: Teach, Inform, Write
- People mainly use chatbots for practical guidance, information, and writing tasks.
- The broad utility explains their rapid adoption across hobbies, work, and learning.
Teenagers Form Emotional Bonds With Chatbots
- Emotional attachment to chatbots is rising, especially among teenagers.
- Teenagers increasingly treat AI companions as regular parts of their social lives.