Susana García: “We must lose our fear of AI and use its tools”

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is here to stay and is advancing at such a dizzying pace that many feel like they are immersed in a science fiction movie. For them, Susana Garciaa seasoned professional in the sector, has written «AI from scratch. Artificial Intelligence explained in an easy way »a manual that brings this complex world closer in an accessible and simple way.

Why this manual?

I have been training in AI for more than a year and I am aware of the big change that is going to occur in our lives. However, most people still do not understand what artificial intelligence is or the dimensions of this transformation. It is necessary to understand what AI is in order to take advantage of all its advantages and minimize the risks.

Although there are many books, tutorials and courses to learn how to use ChatGPT, it seems that the bases, the key concepts that help to understand what this is all about, were only explained in a very technical way that was not available to everyone. I thought I might be able to remove that layer of complexity from concepts that are much easier than they seem, and translate them into kinder, easier language so anyone could understand them.

What do you expect from this book?

The idea is that anyone, without prior knowledge, can understand the most basic concepts and understand what AI is and how it works. The book tries to help clear up doubts and understand what each thing is so that you can then form your own opinion, participate in conversations or debates, decide which tools are most useful and be prepared for the change that lies ahead.

What has been your main challenge?

Eliminate the idea that AI is a “magic remedy” capable of solving all your problems and try to make readers aware of its advantages, but also its drawbacks. This book does not promise to make you a millionaire in two days, nor that AI will work for you while you watch your favorite series, but it will give you a global vision and will reveal many secrets, tools and roadmaps, which will one day allow you to start. to enter a world in which everyone, without exception, will have to enter.

Can it really improve our daily lives?

I often say that AI is like that automatic walkway that exists in airports, which allows you to move faster. You can stand still and let it carry you, you can choose to walk off it, but the real advantage (time savings in this case) will be walking on the walkway and moving much faster. This is AI: an assistant that can help you, facilitate, optimize, save time… but to do this you have to know how to ask for things or be clear about what we want it to do.

Are there any myths you would like to debunk?

The main mistake is thinking that we have to choose between doing things “with AI” or “without AI”, or that we have to be for or against it. Is mental calculation or calculator better? We must know how to calculate, use logic and pose the problems to be solved, but also know where to find the information or help at all times to optimize the result. If you have a tool that saves you time or effort, minimizes errors, or improves efficiency, not using it may be a bad choice. In the book, I also explain concepts that are often confused with AI: Internet of Things, robotics, Big Data, automations, chatbot… are terms that may or may not be related and are often confused. This chapter helps clear up many misunderstandings.

How do you see the future of AI in the coming years?

I believe that it is totally impossible to know what the state of AI will be in even two years. My opinion is that this initial phase in which it is optional to train or begin to learn about AI is about to end. In the coming months, there will be a big difference between those who know what this is about and those who still resist. We will all, at some point, have to deal with it.

Many people fear that AI could take away their jobs…

I heard something on a podcast that made me laugh: we’re not actually afraid of AI taking our jobs, but of our pay. Joking aside, I think the debate should not be whether you are going to be replaced by AI or not. In the book I give many examples and equate them to what the arrival of the Internet meant, which impacted, for example, designers in a different way. Some used them as allies and knew how to take advantage of “the wave”; others became paralyzed and lost their jobs or reduced their income; and others, with less experience, entered the sector more easily and were able to compete with those who had been there for many more years. The idea is that the reader knows how to interpret how the incorporation of AI can affect each case.

What advice would you give to someone who is just starting out with AI and is feeling overwhelmed?

I recommend losing your fear as soon as possible and using well-known tools such as ChatGPT, DALL-E, or any that you think can help you in your daily life. The ideal is to start with the free ones and then see if it is worth paying for something more complex. You learn a lot by trying, tinkering, making mistakes and doing things yourself.

Always up to date with technology

In her networks she presents herself as “addicted to coffee and friendly people” and reveals her passion for technology. With a degree in Economics and Business, she specializes in digital marketing and ecommerce, sectors in which she has already accumulated more than 20 years of experience. Among his achievements: founding 1012 Intelligence and giving classes, training and talks at business schools such as EAE, ISDI and Next Educación, and for companies and individuals. In addition, she is known for writing several successful blogs since 2009. She came into contact with AI in 2016, in a master’s degree in IoT (Internet of Things), and in 2023 she decided to train in depth in this field and dedicate her time to learning all the news of this exciting world.