Instructions not included
- Kris van Beever
- Dec 2, 2025
- 2 min read
Most people would never pick up a power tool without reading the instructions or getting the right training. We intuitively understand that high-energy tools can be dangerous if we don’t know what we’re doing. That’s why the manuals and warning labels are packed with disclaimers about proper use, risks to life and limb, and the responsibility of the operator.
Yet we are now embracing one of the most powerful tools of our time—AI—with almost no equivalent caution.
AI can accelerate insight, improve productivity, and open entirely new possibilities. But like any powerful tool, it carries real risks when used without training or understanding. Misinterpreted outputs, over-confidence in automated responses, data-security exposure, and subtle forms of misinformation can all cause damage to businesses, teams, and individuals who assume the “machine knows best.”
If power tools require training, safeguards, and respect for the risks, why would AI be any different?
AI literacy is not optional. It is the new baseline competency for anyone who wants to work safely and effectively in a world shaped by intelligent systems. Knowing how these tools work, where they fail, how to validate their outputs, and how to protect your data is the modern equivalent of putting on eye protection before you pick up a saw.
The goal isn’t fear. The goal is responsible capability.
Whether you are a business leader, a knowledge worker, a creator, or a parent, investing in AI literacy and governance is the most important step you can take to stay safe, stay productive, and stay ahead in an environment that is changing faster than any tool revolution we’ve ever seen.
Power tools demand training. AI deserves nothing less.
Comments