Jude's AI Blog

When most people think of AI, what comes to mind is generative AI such as ChatGPT and X's Grok. This was the only AI I was familiar with, but there is also conventional (rule-based) AI and Predictive AI. All three have their uses, but it is important to understand the differences and when to apply each one. Conventional AI follows predefined rules to make decisions. It can recognize patterns and respond to specific inputs, but it will not learn or improve. Real-world examples of this type of AI would be customer service chatbots with scripted answers and rule-based fraud detection.  Predictive AI is used when you want the system to learn from the data and then forecast future outcomes or trends. It uses machine learning and data analysis. It is dynamic and data-driven, which allows it to improve accuracy over time without manual reprogramming. Real-world examples include personalized product recommendations and forecasting equipment failures or inventory needs. Generative AI takes ...

Chapter Two of Data Toolkit,  and more specifically the exercises within the chapter,   helped me understand the basics of how Python can control and organize what a program does. Control structures like loops are like giving a set of instructions that the computer can follow repeatedly or only under certain conditions. The examples using “for” and “while” loops made it clearer how repetition works. An example of this would be repeating something a certain number of times or until a condition changes. I liked the comparison to a remote-control car, because it helped me see how code can “steer” what happens in a program. Seeing the examples with “if” and “if-else” statements helped me see how Python can make decisions, like checking whether a number is even or odd. The guessing game example at the end was especially interesting because it combined all the ideas, loops, conditions, and user input into one project. It made Python feel a little less intimidating, since I could se...

Chapter 1 of Learning AI With ChatGPT and Google Colab gives great insight into the applications of ChatGPT and DALL·E 2. Both of these AI tools are transforming the way we solve everyday problems and create new things. I personally use ChatGPT for a variety of practical tasks, some examples include helping me rewrite emails for work and school, to organizing my notes. If I am not feeling creative, I will ask ChatGPT for dinner ideas or to make me a workout. It is nice to have a platform that can come up with ideas. For example, when I was struggling to understand a complex tax concept, I asked ChatGPT to explain it in simpler terms, and it strengthened my understanding. This kind of instant, personalized help makes learning and daily life a lot more efficient. Something I had never considered was the impact that image-generating platforms like DALL·E 2 can have on creating original artwork from text descriptions, which opens up endless possibilities for students, designers, and c...

Going into chapter one of Data Toolkit: Python + Hands-On Math, my only previous knowledge of Python was that it involved coding. I was eager to learn the basics of Python, because I know it is a powerful tool that can be applied to tasks ranging from web development to machine learning. The hands-on exercises with Google Colab allowed me to see Python in action. I was glad the first two exercises were simple inputs, but now it has me wanting to create more complicated Python code and test myself.  Because I was interested in learning more about coding and Python specifically, I asked ChatGPT to create a cheat sheet for me that included built-in functions, keywords, and identifiers. As much as I want to code well right now, I know it is going to take time and practice before I can utilize Python's versatility. I was curious if people code and use Python as a side hustle, so again, I turned to ChatGPT to find that out. It turns out there are both short-term and long-term ways t...

Over the past eight weeks, I’ve learned about robotic process automation (RPA) and how it’s transforming the way people and businesses handle repetitive tasks. Before this class, I had only a basic understanding of automation and AI in general, but now I can see how RPA tools improve workflows, efficiency, and reduce errors across different industries. Learning how bots can interact with systems, make decisions, and complete processes on their own was interesting, and it showed me how technology is becoming more intelligent and practical in everyday operations. As time goes on, this technology will become easier and easier to implement, which will cause a snowball effect. If all of your competitors are using RPA and other AI tools that are cheaper than paying employees to do it, you would make the switch as well. It would be irresponsible at this point to ignore the possibility of AI making its way into your position, especially if your job requires repetitive tasks.  Throughout t...

AI’s ability to create realistic images and artwork has exploded in the last few years, and in my opinion, it is both amazing and terrifying. With the correct prompt, anyone can make professional-quality pictures, no art degree required. Businesses can now use tools like DALL·E, Midjourney, and Canva’s AI generator to design posters and logos in seconds. This levels the playing field for small businesses that do not have the marketing budget to compete with bigger corporations. This can also be applied to students. You can make visuals for class projects, creative writing, or social media without needing advanced design skills. I know I have been able to use it to create presentation visuals I never would have been able to come up with on my own. It does a great job bridging the gap for people who might lack creativity, like me.  But as cool as it is, there are some real downsides. Artists worry about AI copying their work or taking credit for their style, and some AI-generated im...

Many companies have implemented AI into their customer services, and I wanted to see how difficult it would be to make a bot using ChatGPT. For my first prompt, I asked ChatGPT to create a customer service bot that handles clients canceling memberships. Just off this prompt alone, ChatGPT came up with the purpose of the bot, "to handle customer cancellation requests politely and efficiently while attempting to retain the customer when possible (offering solutions, pauses, or discounts)" and a tone that the bot would respond with which included professional and empathetic. The bot would have the capabilities to identify intent (cancel, pause, or change membership), gather cancellation details, offer retention plans, and finally post-cancellation support with reactivation, billing, or access until the end of the billing period. It also gave an example of an interaction the bot would have with a customer canceling with optional add-ons that I would use if I actually had a compan...

In today’s world, data is everywhere. Driving decisions, shaping businesses, and influencing how organizations grow, the data explosion is impossible to ignore. Chapter 3 of Discovering Data  dives into the many places data comes from and how it is collected. It explains the difference between structured data , like spreadsheets and databases, and unstructured data , such as emails, videos, or social media posts. The chapter also points out that data can come from inside a company (like sales records or HR systems) or from outside sources (like government reports or social media trends). Collection methods like Application Programming Interfaces ( APIs), web scraping, and IoT sensors helps businesses gather data faster and more efficiently than ever before especially for industries like agriculture and manufacturing. Another big takeaway from the chapter is that not all data is created equal. It’s not enough to have a lot of information,  data quality  is what real...

As someone who is trying the earn an accounting degree, I want to have an idea of how that industry will be affected by AI. Some believe that AI can completely take over the industry (not ideal!), others have a more positive outlook that AI can help accountants reduce errors and improve productivity. I hope the latter opinion is correct, but I will also acknowledge that there are parts of the job that can be automated. Companies like QuickBooks have already begun to implement this, what I have noticed is the AI does save me time while reconciling. Instead of manually entering all the data from the bank statements I just make sure the information is correct and balances. Something that was mentioned in the beginning of the book,  Data Discovery, was the demand for skills that involve data analytics and AI. This has made its way to the accounting industry as Professional organizations like the AICPA and Chartered Accountants ANZ now emphasize data literacy and AI literacy as essen...

The world of artificial intelligence is moving faster than ever, and some of the newest developments are truly changing what’s possible. Google just released its Gemini 2.5 Computer Use model, which can actually use a web browser the way a person would, clicking buttons, filling out forms, and navigating sites on its own. OpenAI has recently launched GPT-5 , which is reportedly their least biased model to date. On top of that, OpenAI’s video tool Sora became an instant hit, reaching over a million downloads in just five days. These tools show how AI is becoming more interactive, creative, and human-like in how it handles information. Behind all this innovation, the infrastructure that powers AI is also expanding. OpenAI made a major deal with Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) to secure more computer chips, which are essential for training and running large AI systems. At the same time, the European Union is investing $1.27 billion into its “Apply AI” plan to promote AI development in area...

Tableau is the focus of Chapter Eight of Discovering Data.  The reason Tableau is the focus is that it is a powerful data visualization tool that helps people turn raw data into clear, interactive visuals. Instead of looking at endless rows and columns of numbers, users can create charts, dashboards, and maps that make trends and patterns easy to understand. Tableau’s drag-and-drop interface makes it accessible even to those without technical or programming experience. Businesses use it to track performance, monitor sales, and uncover insights that drive decision-making, but it’s just as valuable in education, research, and personal projects. Its ability to connect to many data sources like Excel, databases, and online services makes it a flexible and versatile tool for anyone working with information. Learning how to explain data through visuals using tools like Tableau is a skill that benefits everyone, regardless of profession. In a world increasingly driven by data, being able...

For this week's post, I decided to test out Runway AI and make a video using their free services. Because it is the middle of the playoffs, I decided to go with a baseball theme for this video. My favorite team is the Chicago Cubs, so I thought a cool concept would be having their mascot, a bear, hitting a baseball. Because this was my first experience, my first attempt did not go as planned.  My prompt for the first try was "Make a video of an actual bear hitting a baseball in a Chicago Cubs jersey." Because my prompt was generic, the AI generated what I asked, but the bear was standing on the plate and not in the batter's box.  First Attempt: https://pollo.ai/v/cmgjnqxm6070x13u53pab43sx?source=share  My second attempt was better, but still not perfect. I used ChatGPT to create a descriptive prompt, and this is what it came up with. "A realistic brown bear wearing a full Chicago Cubs baseball uniform and cap, standing on a baseball field in the afternoon. The be...

 I built a challenge bot on Poe that is designed to keep things fun and engaging by giving out random tasks or prompts to push creativity and motivation. This process took me around 10 minutes in total before the bot was ready to use. The idea behind it was to create something that could keep users entertained, whether that’s through challenges like “draw a cat in 30 seconds” or more thought-provoking ones like “write down three things you’re grateful for.” It’s meant to feel like a friendly companion that always has a new idea ready, so you never run out of things to do when you’re bored, stuck, or looking to spark your imagination. A lot of people use AI to do their work for them, and I wanted to create a bot that would give people work to do. There is a mix of physical and mental challenges. All of these challenges are achievable; it is just a way for healthy entertainment.  When I tested the bot, I tried to push it beyond the obvious by misspelling words and asking for unu...

 Before I get into the prompt, it is important to define what prompt engineering is. Prompt engineering is the "skill" or "art" of asking specific, defined questions or giving clear instructions to AI so you can get the response you want. AI can only be as useful as the prompt it is given. With that being said, this is the prompt I gave ChatGPT: "Suggest a positive but firm response for a customer who is unhappy with their bill. [Paragraph]"  This is the response ChatGPT gave: "I completely understand your concern and appreciate you reaching out about your bill. We strive to ensure all charges are clear and accurate, and I want to reassure you that I will personally review your account to confirm everything is correct. If any adjustments are needed, we’ll take care of them right away. Thank you for bringing this to our attention—we value your business and are committed to making sure you feel confident in the service you’re receiving."  This is a...

 Chapter 8 of Automation with AI  introduces some concerns with AI that I would not have considered. Since it is artificial intelligence, I thought it would not be possible for it to exhibit bias or discriminate. I decided to go straight to the source and ask ChatGPT how it could have these traits. It agreed with what the book was saying that training data was the root of this problem.  "ChatGPT is trained on massive amounts of text data from the internet, books, and other sources. Because those sources can contain stereotypes, biases, or discriminatory views, the model can sometimes reflect or amplify them. OpenAI uses techniques like reinforcement learning with human feedback (RLHF) , safety filters, and careful dataset curation to reduce these risks, but bias can still slip through. There are two main ways bias might appear:  Content bias – If certain perspectives or groups are underrepresented or misrepresented in training data, the model’s responses may sk...

 Looker Studio is a tool that I have no prior experience with. It is similar to Tableau as it has more data visualization capabilities than spreadsheet tools such as Sheets or Excel. I did some research and looked up some different reports that have been made using Looker Studio, and I was impressed with how interactive it was. One report was based on how many fouls a player had committed in a professional sports league, and the other was based on different cooking shows, and where throughout the world the episodes were filmed. One report used a bar chart; one used a scatterplot. Almost no wasted space, both were visually engaging. While I have usually resorted to spreadsheets to present information, I think it is clear that better options are out there. Looker Studio can be a powerful tool for business owners because it turns raw data into clear, interactive dashboards that support decision-making. Instead of relying on static spreadsheets, a business owner can connect data from m...

Without analysis, data is not very useful to anyone. How can we analyze data accurately and efficiently? That is where spreadsheet platforms like Google Sheets or Microsoft Excel come in. On the basic level, they make organizing information, lists, and performing quick calculations easy and efficient, saving time compared to manual work. I keep track of my workouts in Excel, and I can see if I am progressing the way I want to. For people who have more experience with spreadsheets, features like charts, pivot tables, and conditional formatting allow for deeper insights and better ideas of trends and patterns. I would say this is the level I am at right now. I use these features for work all the time and do a decent job of making the data easy to understand.  At more advanced levels, both platforms offer powerful functions, complex formulas, automation with macros or scripts, and integration with other systems, making them great for financial modeling, project management, and analyti...