In a recent LinkedIn post, Alison McCauley explores the often-overlooked aspect of adopting artificial intelligence: cultivating the habit of turning to AI for solutions, rather than relying on traditional methods. McCauley uses her personal experience with unfamiliar coffee machines while traveling as a relatable analogy for how our ingrained habits can sometimes hinder AI adoption.
McCauley highlights the initial learning curve associated with new technologies, particularly in unfamiliar environments. She writes:
“I’m a huge fan of HomeExchange (a community where you trade your home with others around the world), but it means that I’m constantly facing new appliances, and believe me, the further away from home I am, the more cryptic some of them are to me.”
This scenario, McCauley argues, is a microcosm of a broader challenge: our brains are conditioned to default to older problem-solving methods, such as consulting instruction manuals or performing traditional internet searches. Even when AI is readily available, the instinct to reach for these familiar tools can be strong.
The Underrated Skill: Remembering to Ask
The core of McCauley’s argument centers on the idea that understanding AI’s capabilities is only half the battle. The more significant hurdle, she suggests, is developing the consistent practice of engaging with AI when a problem arises.
“And I think that’s an underrated part of learning how to use AI: it’s not just about knowing what AI can do. It’s about building the habit of remembering to turn to it,” McCauley explains.
She points out that friends she travels with often overlook the AI tools at their disposal, demonstrating how easily this powerful resource can be forgotten amidst the comfort of established routines. McCauley admits to experiencing this herself, emphasizing that decades of ingrained behavior take time to override.
AI as a Precision Tool for Everyday Tasks
McCauley emphasizes that when the habit is formed, AI offers a remarkably efficient and precise way to tackle everyday challenges. The speed and tailored nature of AI-generated solutions are significant advantages, especially when faced with immediate needs.
“But when we remember to turn to it, we can solve how-tos in seconds and with far more precision than any other way. And speed matters when i want my coffee or am holding an armful of laundry!” she writes.
She illustrates this with a practical example: using an AI chat app to get personalized coffee-making instructions by simply taking a photo of the machine and providing a basic prompt. This not only simplifies the task but also tailors the solution to individual preferences, a level of customization difficult to achieve with traditional methods.
Building Foundational Habits for Broader AI Integration
McCauley concludes by connecting these small, habitual uses of AI to a larger vision of its integration into daily life. She posits that mastering the simple act of remembering to ask AI for help lays the groundwork for leveraging its power in more complex and impactful areas.
“Sometimes, the hardest part of using AI isn’t learning what it can do. It’s remembering to ask. And small habits like this create the foundation for bringing AI into the bigger, higher-impact parts of your day to day life,” McCauley states.
Her insights suggest that for professionals and individuals alike, the path to fully realizing AI’s potential lies not just in understanding the technology, but in consciously and consistently integrating it into their problem-solving repertoire through deliberate practice.
📝 About This Content
This article is based on insights shared by Alison McCauley on LinkedIn.
📅 Originally posted on October 1, 2026 | View original post on LinkedIn →