• AI for Good
• Bias & Ethics
• Productivity & Innovation

Written by Louise Stokes, Digital Strategist

AI is everywhere right now and if you’re anything like me, your feeds are full of “You HAVE to be using this tool!” posts. It’s exciting… but also a bit like standing in front of a fire hose.

Between work life, home life, and a to-do list that somehow regenerates overnight, the last thing I need is another thing I “should” be keeping up with. But here’s the thing – ignoring AI completely isn’t the answer either. The trick is to use it in a way that’s healthy, intentional, and actually makes life easier.

Think of AI like coffee

A little bit? Amazing.

Too much? You’re twitchy, can’t think straight, and start relying on it for everything.

The goal is healthy AI habits. That means:

• Only using it when it actually adds value
• Giving your brain a chance before running to ChatGPT
• Letting AI be the assistant, not the boss

Try this: Give yourself 90 seconds to think or jot ideas before you ask AI. Then let it refine what you’ve got, not come up with it from scratch.

2. Set some boundaries (seriously)

Without guardrails, AI will creep into everything. And before you know it, you’re using it to write birthday cards for your nan. Some easy boundaries:

• Yes AI: Summaries, research, turning bullet points into something readable
• No AI: Big personal decisions, the first spark of a creative idea, anything you want in your voice

This keeps your brain sharp and your work… actually yours.

3. Don’t get yourself fired

Workplaces are still figuring out their AI rules, and a lot of them… don’t have any. That’s where people get in trouble. A few safe moves:

• Don’t put confidential stuff into AI
• Keep a note of when you’ve used it to help
• If you’re not sure, ask your manager first
• Run the “Would I be fine if my boss saw this?” test before you hit send

AI at work can be a game-changer – but only if you’re playing by your employer’s rules (spoken or unspoken).

4. AI Isn’t free (to the Planet)

Here’s a fun fact-slash-slap-in-the-face: 5% of all energy used in the US now goes to data centres. And yes, that includes the ones powering your ChatGPT queries. You can make small tweaks to help:

• Combine prompts instead of firing off 20 separate ones
• Keep your asks clear and concise so you’re not wasting cycles
• Use AI to cut other waste – like printing, extra travel, over-ordering stock

If you’re going to use it, make it net positive.

5. Avoid the AI FOMO trap

You do not need to try every new tool to “stay ahead.” Instead:

• Pick 2 – 3 that genuinely fit your work/home life
• Check for updates now and then
• If it doesn’t solve a real problem, skip it – no matter how shiny the promo video is

Healthy AI use is about focus, not frenzy.

6. Make your own AI playbook

Your AI Playbook = your personal code for using it. Include:

• What you will and won’t use AI for
• Your environmental and workplace rules
• A reminder to check your habits every few months

This stops AI from being some chaotic “I’ll just see what happens” thing – and turns it into a tool you can trust.

The Wrap-Up

So, AI can be brilliant. It can save you hours, make you look like you have your life together, and even give you more space to do the stuff you love.

But only if you use it in a way that keeps you in control. Because, the question now isn’t “Will you use AI?” – it’s “How will you use it… without losing your brain, your job, or your morals?”

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