AI as Speed, Not Substitute

29

September

2025

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I wanted to know whether generative AI could make my work faster without compromising quality. To find out, I used it for two concrete projects: preparing a podcast episode and setting up a small website for a friend.

For the podcast research, I used NotebookLM. I uploaded an outline, a transcript, and a few articles. Within minutes, I received a clear overview of the key themes, contradictions were highlighted, and I got surprisingly sharp interview questions, such as “ask for a concrete failure metric rather than just impact.” This gave structure to my preparation and made my questions more focused and relevant. I even turned the material into a short podcast episode so I could listen back later and learn the content on the go. This was perfect for a busy schedule, since I could review key ideas while commuting or doing other tasks. It felt like having a research assistant who saved me time but left the content decisions entirely up to me.

Gamma GT is what I chose for the website. Over the course of one evening, my friend and I managed to create a basic yet useful website that included a contact form. Entering the text, selecting a layout, and publishing went smoothly. Without the difficulties of a lengthy design process or the complexity of a full CMS, it was an effective method to quickly create a professional online presence.

The fact that AI eliminates the noise rather than replacing the work I do is what excites me. Structure, summarization, and simple formatting tasks that typically need time become quicker and more reliable. This provides me more energy for the tasks that require critical thought and creativity. I remain cautious, though, because AI is capable of confidently presenting false facts. Source transparency and verification are still essential.

For me, AI is not a shortcut but a tool that creates more space for better, more thoughtful work.

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The Future Through the Lens:

18

September

2025

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When I first read about Amazon’s plans for AR smart glasses, I didn’t expect much (Niesen, 2025). Virtually placing furniture in your living room before buying sounded convenient, but not exactly revolutionary. That changed when I saw Meta’s second-generation Ray-Ban Display glasses. These glasses feature a tiny in-lens display and connect to a neural wristband that picks up muscle signals from your wrist. This allows users to control the display with subtle gestures even from inside a pocket without relying on their camera. It feels like science fiction is slowly becoming something we can actually wear (Gibbs, 2025).

These days, AR is changing whole sectors. The first lung cancer procedure guided by AR was carried out by surgeons at Erasmus MC in Rotterdam. To make surgery safer and more accurate, they projected virtual images of the tumor and blood vessels onto the lung (Erasmus MC, 2025). AR helps retailers like IKEA better organize their inventories and allows buyers to sample furniture at home (IKEA, 2025). AR glasses are used in factories and warehouses to help employees complete jobs, which lowers errors and expedites training. And in defense, the U.S. military has developed a “super helmet” that fuses night vision with real-time data about threats and teammates, giving soldiers a tactical edge on the battlefield (Bright, 2025).

AR, in my opinion, is going to transform the way we deal with information. People will be able to make decisions faster and more efficiently as a result of the facts being more visual and intuitive. However, it also brings up important issues about security, privacy, and even the extent to which we are willing to allow technology to take over our daily lives. AR has the potential to make life safer, smarter, and much more connected if businesses and regulators work together to create clear rules and guarantee transparency.

References

Gibbs, S. (2025, 18 september). Meta announces first Ray-Ban smart glasses with in-built augmented reality display. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/sep/17/meta-ray-ban-smart-glasses

Bright. (2025, January 10). Amerikaanse soldaten krijgen augmented reality-superhelm die alles ziet. https://www.bright.nl/nieuws/1691239/amerikaanse-soldaten-krijgen-augmented-reality-superhelm-die-alles-ziet.html

Erasmus MC. (2025, January 5). World-first lung cancer surgery with augmented reality. https://amazingerasmusmc.nl/chirurgie/wereldprimeur-longkankeroperatie-met-augmented-reality/

IKEA. (2025). IKEA Place AR app. https://www.ikea.com/us/en/customer-service/mobile-apps/

Mashable. (2025, January 8). Amazon is developing AR smart glasses for drivers and consumers. https://nl.mashable.com/tech-2/11871/amazon-is-bezig-met-ar-smartbrillen-maken-voor-chauffeurs-en-consumenten-dit-moet-je-weten

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