A simple but powerful way to reframe AI.
Most people think of AI as a flashy gimmick — or a threat. That’s because we’ve been conditioned by decades of science fiction. For many, the idea of using a tool that “talks back” triggers a sense of unease.
I call this the Dick Tracy Barrier.
Back in the 1940s, the comic-strip detective Dick Tracy wore a talking watch. At the time, it seemed wild — a futuristic fantasy. Today, we wear Apple Watches and use ChatGPT on our phones. The tech caught up. But many of us are still waiting for permission to use it.
So here’s a reframe:
Don’t see AI as a tool that replaces thinking — see it as a partner that invites better thinking.
That one shift changes everything.
Instead of asking, “What can it do for me?”
Ask, “What can it help me do better?”
When you use AI to clarify your thoughts, explore ideas, or structure your day, you’re not outsourcing your intelligence — you’re amplifying it.
That’s the point where AI stops feeling like a gimmick — and starts becoming a growth tool.
