Everyone's faking it with AI
But maybe you don't have to
If you’ve ever opened an AI tool and thought “Am I the only one who doesn’t get this?” - you’re not alone. You’re just honest.
Most people are figuring out AI in real time, on their own, in the dark. No roadmaps. No mentors. Just a lot of trial and error - and even more pretending.
When I asked 120 people how they’re learning about AI, nearly half said they were just experimenting with the tools. No structured training. No guidance. Just clicking around and hoping for the best.
And when I asked what the most challenging part of learning AI was, the answers came thick and fast:
“It’s overwhelming.”
“I don’t know what to trust.”
“I feel like I have to be extra smart to catch its mistakes.”
“The tech keeps changing.”
“I’m still trying to learn how to ask it the right questions.”
This is what AI learning looks like right now. Not glamorous. Not futuristic. Just people trying to keep up - and quietly wondering if they’re the only ones who feel left behind.
We’re all winging it
Even among those who are learning, most are doing it in fragmented, fragile ways:
46% are just experimenting and hoping for the best
27% are learning via YouTube or social media posts
30% are doing their own “research” - often without knowing what’s reliable
Only 5% said they had a coach or mentor. Just 8% were in a community. And that matters. Because AI isn’t a solo game anymore. Not if you want to use it well - and not if you want to grow with it.
At least you’re not one of the quarter of people still waiting to be told what to do
This stat really hit me: 18% of people in my survey believe it’s their employer’s job or and 7% said it’s the government’s job to educate them about AI!
Let that sink in. And hopefully offer you a bit of comfort.
While you're out here exploring, experimenting, and even feeling a bit lost - you’re already streets ahead of a quarter of the population who are still waiting for permission to begin.
So if you’ve taken even one step to understand how AI might fit into your life… you're already doing better than you think.
You’ve already started the right way. Now take it further.
Let me be clear: experimenting is the best way to learn AI. It’s how we build intuition, confidence, and muscle memory. Clicking around and trying things is not a failure - it’s the foundation.
But what most people don’t have is:
Someone to hold them accountable
A place to bounce ideas off other curious minds
Exposure to people using AI in ways they never would’ve thought of
Shared momentum that keeps them moving forward
A theoretical understanding of how AI works (essential for anyone who wants to avoid major mistakes)
And that’s where a community becomes powerful.
Because when you go alongside others - especially humans who are actively working to make AI serve them, not the other way around - you accelerate everything.
You see what’s possible faster.
You course-correct sooner.
You get unstuck more often.
And you don’t burn out in the process.
Ready to go further, faster — with people who get it?
That’s exactly why I created The AI Edit, a space for humans who want to become powerful in the age of AI - together.
You don’t need more theory.
You don’t need to pretend you know it all.
You just need a place where it's safe - and exciting - to grow.
If you’re experimenting, you’re already on the path. Let’s make sure you’re not walking it alone.