In this deeply personal essay, a writer explores how Generative AI and Large Language Models (LLMs) have become intertwined with their everyday thinking, not just as tools for productivity, but as companions for reasoning, creativity, and communication.
The author recounts their journey from their first disappointing ChatGPT experience in 2022 to now, when LLMs are a part of their “extended mind.” From brainstorming and reverse-engineering unfamiliar topics to refining ideas through debate, AI is now a creative partner, a sparring companion, and even a memory bank that learns over time.
Key ways they use AI:
Pattern recognition & synthesis: Analyzing speeches or combining notes into memos Language and translation: Bridging domain-specific language gaps via reverse-engineering Creative support: Perspective shifting, prototyping, scenario testing, and analogy building Reflection & structure: Using AI to map tone, critique ideas, or simulate outcomes
But they also emphasize boundaries, keeping models “on a leash” and learning when to trust them. Tools like NotebookLM and Perplexity are used in more controlled or source-sensitive environments.
As AI becomes increasingly embedded in our tools — from Google Docs to fitness wearables — the writer predicts a future where AI doesn’t just respond, but moves with us, proactively surfacing insights and guiding decisions, almost invisibly.
Read the full story on TechCabal: How I Use Generative AI and LLMs