What can one accomplish in just ten minutes? Quite a lot. In that time frame, ideas can be pitched and history can shift course.
For our team, ten minutes was all we had to present the results of an intensive three-month capstone project—an evaluation of AI’s effectiveness in raising landslide awareness in Bhutanese schools through real-world case analysis.
During the presentation, one question from the panel member stayed with me:
“How would our group advise others on the future use of AI?”
One of my teammates responded on our behalf, but due to the time limit, we weren’t able to express everything we wanted to say.
That question lingered in my mind, prompting me to reflect not just on the project, but on my personal journey with artificial intelligence (AI) and where I believe we are collectively headed.
There is no denying that AI is growing at an unprecedented pace. It is no longer a niche interest but becoming a main force across industries from education and healthcare to communication, logistics and creativity. It is being rapidly adopted, deeply integrated and quietly redefining how we think, work and live. In many ways, AI is becoming a digital lifeline. It is not just here for now; it is here to stay, forever.
My own experience with AI began in early 2023. Out of curiosity, I tried ChatGPT for the first time and asked it to write a poem about my wife. Within seconds, it generated a beautiful and thoughtful piece. I was amazed but hesitant. I feared that depending on AI might hinder my creativity and imagination, so I made a conscious choice not to use it further.
When I began my higher study later that year, I committed to completing all my assignments without the help of any AI tools. I followed the traditional ways I had always relied on, writing and researching independently.
My first semester went smoothly and I stayed disciplined. However, I couldn’t help but notice that some of my classmates got good grades. Curious, I asked how they approached their assignments. Many admitted they used AI tools like ChatGPT to brainstorm, refine ideas or polish their writing.
This revelation forced me to reflect deeply. Should I continue to avoid AI out of principle, or should I reconsider? Was I at risk of becoming obsolete by refusing to adapt like so many once-prominent brands that faded into irrelevance after failing to evolve? Nokia, BlackBerry, Kodak, Yahoo each serves as a reminder of what happens when innovation is met with resistance.
Eventually, I chose to adapt, but on my own terms.
I decided to use AI tools purposefully on one condition. My personal rule is clear: I first write everything myself starting from drafting ideas, reflecting on lessons learned and crafting my thoughts. Only after that I turn to AI for grammar checks, clarity, structure or suggestions for improvement or for the generation of better ideas. This way, I keep using my thinking power and put my brain muscle in use and AI serves as a help, not a substitute.
So, how should we approach AI in the long run? Should we embrace it fully, or avoid it altogether? The answer lies in striking a thoughtful balance. There is no definite rule to use it. One can use it anyway, but using it in the best human way will be productive.
Over-reliance on AI can weaken our critical thinking and suppress creativity. But total avoidance risks leaving us behind in a rapidly changing world. The key is responsible adaptation leveraging AI to enhance, not replace, human potential.
This also raises another important question: how do we educate the next generation to use AI effectively and ethically?
We must not allow our children to be passive consumers of AI, shaped by algorithms they don't understand. Instead, we must teach them how to use these tools wisely and intentionally. AI should not control us; it should empower us. If used responsibly, it can make our work fast, efficient and productive without stripping away the human element.
The pace of change is rapid and we are at a turning point. Whether we like it or not, we are part of a technological revolution that will define the future.
To thrive in this future, we must approach AI with openness, adaptability and a strong foundation of human values. This is not a time to look back.
Perhaps, it's time to move forward with clarity, balance and purpose.
