I was an AI sceptic

I'll be honest. When I first started hearing people talk about using AI for everyday life skills, I was a little sceptical.

I understood how it could help write an email or answer a question, but I wasn't convinced it would be much use in the kitchen.

Then one day I decided to try something a little different and I asked Copilot how to make deep fried ice cream in an air fryer.

Now, if you've ever eaten deep fried ice cream, you'll know it seems a bit like kitchen magic. Hot and crispy on the outside, frozen in the middle. It didn't seem like something I could easily make at home, particularly with an air fryer.

But rather than searching through multiple websites or trying to follow a complicated recipe, I simply started asking questions.

What ingredients did I need?

How long did I need to freeze the ice cream for?

Could it really be cooked in an air fryer?

What did I need to do first?

As I worked through the recipe, Copilot broke each step down into manageable pieces. If I wasn't sure about something, I asked another question. If I wanted the instructions explained differently, I could ask for that too.

To my surprise, it worked and I ended up with a delicious dessert and, more importantly, I'd learned something new!

That experience got me thinking about how AI tools such as Copilot and ChatGPT could support people in developing everyday life skills.

Because it's not really about making deep fried ice cream - it's about having a tool that can help you learn, build confidence and do things for yourself.

For many of our Members, cooking can sometimes feel overwhelming. Finding recipes, understanding instructions, working out what to cook, creating shopping lists and trying to cater for dietary requirements can all be barriers.

AI can help make those tasks a little easier.

You can take a photo of the ingredients in your fridge and ask:

"What meals can I make with these ingredients and basic pantry staples?"

You can ask:

"Give me a simple recipe for two people."

Or:

"Find a gluten-free dinner idea using chicken and vegetables."

Or even:

"Explain this recipe one step at a time and wait for me to finish before giving me the next step."

What I love about this is that people can learn at their own pace.

If they don't understand a cooking term, they can ask and if they don't have a particular ingredient, they can ask for an alternative. If they need the recipe simplified, they can ask for that too.

This creates opportunities to build confidence, problem-solving skills and independence in a practical, everyday way.

AI isn't replacing support workers, families or learning from others. It's simply another tool that people can use to build skills, make choices and explore new possibilities.

And sometimes, those possibilities start with something as simple as asking:

"Can you help me make deep fried ice cream?" 

Disclaimer (?)

A quick word of caution
While AI can be another fantastic tool for learning and building independence, it's important not to rely on it for everything. Like any tool, it can get things wrong. AI should complement, not replace, your own judgement, your lived experience, your support network and professional advice. When it comes to important decisions, always take the time to check the information and get guidance from trusted people and qualified professionals.