For a long time, learning to use AI has been treated almost like learning a new language.

You have to know exactly what to type. You need the right prompt. Specific words, specific order.

But I think that's starting to change.

AI is getting better and better at understanding us through normal conversation, uploaded documents, screenshots, photos and even live video. In other words, you don't have to be particularly good at writing prompts to use AI well.

You can just show it what you're working with.

Talking to AI is becoming totally normal

Google announced that Gemini passed one billion monthly users. One stat really caught my eye: 63% of Gemini users speak directly to it, and one in five Gemini Live conversations involves sharing a camera or screen.

Those numbers come from Google, so take them with a small grain of salt. But the bigger trend is clear.

People aren't just sitting at a keyboard carefully building prompts anymore. They're talking through ideas, uploading documents, sharing screenshots, and pointing their cameras at things they need help understanding.

That makes AI way more accessible, especially if you've ever opened ChatGPT, stared at that empty box, and wondered what you were supposed to type.

Here are three easier ways to start:

1. Speak

You don't need to organize your thoughts first. Ramble a little. Change direction halfway through. Explain it imperfectly and ask AI to help make sense of it.

For example:

"I'm trying to plan a family trip, but I'm not sure where to begin. Let me talk through what everyone wants, and then help me organize the options."

It doesn't need to be polished. That's kind of what the AI is there for.

2. Upload

Got a document you don't understand? Don't describe it. Upload it and ask questions:

"Explain this document to me in plain English. What are the three most important things I should understand, and is there anything I need to act on?"

Super handy for instructions, estimates, school docs, reports, contracts and other complicated stuff. Sensitive documents deserve extra care, of course, and anything important (legal, medical, financial) should still get checked by a qualified pro. But it's a great place to start.

3. Show

Sometimes it's easier to share a photo or screenshot than to explain what's happening. Show AI an error message, a confusing setting, a household gadget, a plant, a piece of equipment, and ask:

"What am I looking at, and what should I do next?"

You can even share your screen or use your phone camera while talking to AI in real time. Small change, big barrier removed: you no longer have to know the right name for something before you can ask about it.

AI is connecting with more of the services you already use

Google announced Gemini is expanding connections with apps like Otter.ai, Wix, Ticketmaster, Pandora, Thumbtack and Zocdoc. Depending on the service, it might summarize meetings, edit a website, find events or start booking an appointment.

Super useful, but it also brings up something we all need to get better at: understanding permissions. This one's really important.

Before connecting AI to another app, ask:

• What information can it access?
• What actions can it take?
• Will it ask before making a purchase or appointment?
• Can I remove its access later?

Convenience is great. Paying attention is still important.

You might soon build useful tools just by describing them

Google also introduced Sheets canvas. You describe the tracker, dashboard or planner you want, and Gemini builds it on top of a Google Sheet. No formulas, no code.

Think family budget, event planner, training tracker, content calendar, all just by explaining what you want.

That's where AI seems to be heading. You may not need to know how to build the tool. But you do need to think clearly about what the tool should do.

One prompt to try this week

Next time you've got a messy idea, a confusing document, or a hard-to-explain problem:

I'm going to give you this information in a rough or incomplete form. First, tell me what you understand. Then ask me up to three questions before helping me turn it into something useful. Use plain English and don't assume I know technical terms.

Type it, say it out loud, or attach something for the AI to look at.

The big takeaway

You don't need to become a prompt engineer to benefit from AI.

You need to explain what you're trying to do, give AI whatever useful info you have, and review what it gives you.

And if typing into an empty box doesn't feel natural, don't.

Talk. Upload. Show.

Chat soon!

– Steve

Want to get comfortable using AI every day, minus the overwhelm? That's exactly what AI Unlocked is for: 10 short, hands-on modules in plain English.

This post originally went out to my email list on August 17, 2026.