What If I'm Not Technical Enough for AI? An Open Letter About the Great AI Disconnect

A personal message from a 37-year-old new dad reminded me how AI language can lock out people who need AI most—and challenged me to write this absolutely non-technical guide to AI

Yesterday, I got a message that I thought was so important I wanted to share it with all of you.

It came from someone who goes by NexGen Caveman online. He gave me permission to share this:

Hey NATE,

My name's [NexGen Caveman]. I'm a 37 yo blue-collar guy, a new dad, and I'm trying to wrap my head around this whole AI and tech world. The thing is, most of the content out there is super technical and way over my head. By the time people start throwing around all the jargon, I'm already lost.

I know this stuff is important for the future — for my family and the things I'm trying to build — but it feels like there's this huge disconnect between how it's explained and how guys like me actually understand it. I've been following your work and really respect how you break things down.

If you have any advice on how I can cut through the noise and focus on what actually matters, I'd be grateful. And if there's anything you need from me on my end to make that easier, just say the word.

Thanks for what you're doing — it's helping guys like me even if we don't always say it. – [NexGen Caveman]

PS I USED AI TO WRITE THIS MESSAGE BUT I ALSO PUT MY OWN TWIST ON IT 😜😁

That postscript got me. Here's someone who feels locked out of the AI conversation, yet he's already using it to communicate more effectively. He's living proof that the biggest barrier to AI isn't technical knowledge—it's the way we talk about it.

The Uncomfortable Truth About My Technical Content

I've been writing about AI for a while now. I dive deep into model architectures, explore automation workflows, dissect the latest papers. There's real value in that technical depth—serious competitive advantages for people who go deep.

But NexGen Caveman's message gives me a chance to say something I’ve been looking to say for awhile: technical content needs to be a lever not a barrier.

Because while I'm writing about retrieval-augmented generation and using Claude Code well, there are millions of people who just need to know that AI can help them write a professional email after a 12-hour shift when their brain is fried.

I don't want my technical stories to make anyone think AI isn't for them if they're not technical. That would be the biggest mistake they could make right now. Because while the advanced stuff is incredible, the simple applications of AI are often the most powerful and life-changing for folks getting started with AI.

The Great AI Disconnect

Here's what kills me: Most AI content reads like it was written by people who've never had to explain a billing issue to an angry customer at 6 PM on a Friday. Or draft a quote while sitting in their truck between jobs. Or write a parent email after teaching 30 seven-year-olds all day.

It’s personal to me, because I’ve had a succession of non-tech and non-AI jobs before I got into my current career path. I’ve been a box folder in a Windex factory. I’ve been an arborist. I’ve worked the floor at REI as a retail associate. I’ve worked as a grant writer. I’ve burned my hands using a welder trying to make steel parts.

And I can look back now and see dozens of ways AI would have helped former Nate! As long as I had accessible training. And that’s the key.

The research backs this up. When you ask workers why they don't use AI, 48% say inadequate training is their biggest barrier. But they don't mean training on neural networks and token architectures. They mean nobody's shown them how AI helps with their specific problems. Nobody's speaking their language.

52% of workers say they receive only basic training on new tools, and 1 in 5 get little to no instruction at all. Meanwhile, 78% of organizations report using AI in 2024, up from 55% the year before—but most workers still feel left out.

It’s important to be real clear about AI as a problem solver, and not set up AI as a glorious technical achievement that feels off-putting.

This is especially important becase studies show AI helps the least experienced workers the most. If you struggle with writing, AI makes you sound professional. If English isn't your first language, AI helps you communicate clearly. The people who need it most in many cases feel like it’s impossible to get the training they need to make AI useful at work and at home.

That’s why I’m writing this letter.

AI Isn't Complicated—We Just Make It Sound That Way

Here's the simplest way I can put it: AI is just really good at handling words.

That's it. That's the breakthrough.

You don't need to understand transformers or attention heads any more than you need to understand internal combustion to drive to work. The only question that matters is: "Am I dealing with something that involves words, and is it eating up my time?"

If yes, AI can probably help. If no, use your regular tools.

I've seen that click moment when I explain it this way in real life. The HVAC tech who starts using AI to explain complex problems to customers without sounding condescending. The restaurant manager who uses it to write schedules that don't create drama. The contractor who uses it to turn bid requirements into clear project timelines.

These aren't people becoming "AI experts." They're people who recognized they had a word problem and found a word solution.

Three Ways AI Actually Helps (No Computer Science Degree Required)

1. It Gives You Back Your Evenings

Every job has that stuff that isn't really your job but somehow becomes your job. The emails. The reports. The explanations. The follow-ups. People using basic AI tools report saving 3.5 to 5 hours per week. That's not optimization—that's getting your life back.

A teacher I know uses AI to turn her messy class notes into parent newsletters. Used to take her an hour every Friday. Now it takes five minutes. She doesn't use AI to teach—she uses it to handle the administrative burden that was crushing her.

Real productivity data shows AI delivering 13-66% efficiency gains, with the biggest improvements going to people who struggled most with communication tasks. Construction companies using AI report 20-30% productivity lifts within 3-6 months.

2. It Makes Everyone Sound Professional

Some people are natural writers. Most aren't. But in today's world, how you communicate in writing affects how people perceive your competence. That's unfair, but it's real.

AI levels this playing field. That email to the difficult client? AI helps you sound firm but professional. That project update? AI helps you organize scattered thoughts into clear points. That delicate conversation with an employee? AI helps you find the right words when you're emotional.

Studies show AI adoption has surged among white-collar workers—27% now use it frequently at work, up 12 percentage points in just one year. But the biggest opportunity is still with people who aren't naturally comfortable with written communication.

3. It Stops You From Leaving Money on the Table

How many opportunities die because you didn't follow up properly? How many relationships sour because you communicated poorly under stress? How many deals fall through because you couldn't quickly research what a client asked about?

Sales teams using AI close 15% more deals. Customer service teams handle 15% more issues per hour. Not because AI is doing the work, but because it's handling the communication overhead that was slowing them down.

Blue-collar industries are seeing particularly strong results—companies using AI platforms for field work report 20-30% productivity gains as workers spend less time on diagnostics and more time solving actual problems.

How to Know You Have an AI Problem

Ask yourself: "Am I doing something with words that either takes forever, I do constantly, or I mess up when I'm stressed?"

That's an AI problem.

Specific AI problems:

• Writing emails that need to sound professional but not robotic

• Explaining complex stuff to customers in simple terms

• Following up without sounding desperate or annoying

• Organizing information from multiple sources into something clear

• Creating consistent messaging across different communications

• Drafting proposals, quotes, or contracts

• Writing job descriptions, performance reviews, or training materials

NOT AI problems:

• Anything requiring hands-on work or physical presence

• Face-to-face conversations (though AI can help you prep)

• Making judgment calls about people or situations

• Creative work where your personal voice matters most

• Tasks that require real-world context AI doesn't have

• Complicated math (which you can do, but right now it takes technical knowledge)

Real Examples by Job Type

If you're in healthcare: AI writes better patient notes, helps communicate with families, handles insurance paperwork. One nurse told me she saves an hour per shift just on documentation.

If you're in retail: AI helps with difficult customers, tracks inventory, writes social media posts that actually work. A store manager uses it to turn customer complaints into training scenarios for staff.

If you're in trades: AI writes estimates, explains technical problems to customers, handles scheduling conflicts. An electrician I know uses it to turn building codes into plain English for clients.

If you're in education: AI creates materials, writes parent communications, handles administrative tasks. Teachers report saving 5+ hours weekly on lesson planning and administrative work.

If you manage people: AI helps write performance reviews, navigate difficult conversations, organize meeting notes. One manager told me it transformed how she handles conflict—she practices the conversation with AI first.

If you're in any service job: AI helps you sound professional under pressure, research solutions quickly, handle complaints without losing your cool. Customer service teams using AI handle 15% more issues per hour.

How to Start (Right Now, No Setup Required)

Pick one thing that annoys you about your work week. Something with words. Something that takes too long or stresses you out.

Go to chat.openai.com (it's free). Type this:
"Help me [specific task] for [specific situation]. Keep it [how you want it to sound]."

Real examples that work:

• "Help me write an email explaining why this project is delayed. Keep it professional but honest."

• "Help me respond to this angry customer message. Keep it empathetic but firm."

• "Help me create a training checklist for new employees. Keep it simple and clear."

Yes, I’m the prompt guy. Yes, I can think of a dozen ways to make those prompts better. I’ve written about it. That’s not the point here. Start with something. Don’t be scared to start.

If that saves you even 10 minutes and sounds better than what you would've written stressed, you've just proved AI's value to yourself. And if you want to level up, well you know I have plenty of prompting tips to dig into when you’re ready.

The Simple Tools That Actually Work (All Free to Start)

Start here - pick ONE:

• ChatGPT (chat.openai.com) - Best all-around problem-solving, most people have it in their pockets

• Claude (claude.ai) - Good for longer documents and better writer

• Google Gemini - Great alternative, excellent at images

• Grammarly - Makes everything you write clearer (works everywhere)

• Otter.ai - Records meetings and gives you summary notes

Once you're comfortable, add these:

• Zapier - Connects your apps (like "when I get an email, add it to my spreadsheet")

• Notion AI - Helps write and organize within your workspace

• Canva AI - Creates graphics from descriptions ("make me a flyer for a plumbing business special")

The key: Master one tool for one problem before adding another. No tool just because.

The Real Risk

Here's what I've learned from watching thousands of people make this transition: the fear of AI is always worse than the reality of using it.

You discover it's not some scary robot overlord. It's just a really good writing assistant. Like spell-check, but for entire thoughts.

The biggest risk isn't using AI badly. It's letting everyone else get comfortable with it while you don't. Six months from now, the people using AI effectively are going to be handling the same workload with half the stress. They're going to sound more professional, follow up more consistently, and go home with more energy.

Not because they became tech people. But because they recognized which problems were word problems and used the word-problem solver.

The numbers don't lie: AI use at work has nearly doubled in two years, from 21% to 40% of employees. Daily use has doubled in just the past 12 months. The train is leaving the station.

A Note to My Regular Readers (And a Request)

AI is a general purpose technology. It touches all of us.

So I've always tried to write for everyone—from the AI engineer to the small business owner to the exhausted parent trying to keep up. But NexGen Caveman's message reminded me to let you all know that technical knowledge is absolutely not a barrier to trying AI!

Have you noticed the beginner’s corners this week? I’m doubling down on making sure there are useful nuggets in my posts for someone who's new to AI.

Because while some of you are definitely building RAG systems or fine-tuning models, someone in your life—your dad, your friend, your coworker—is still struggling with basic communication tasks that AI could solve in seconds.

If you're technically advanced, this article might seem basic to you. That's the point. Share it with someone who needs it. Your cousin who runs a small business. Your friend who's drowning in administrative work. Your parent who's intimidated by technology but could really use the help.

Because NexGen Caveman had it right in his postscript. He's already using AI, adding his own twist, making it work for him. That's not despite his lack of technical knowledge—it's because he focused on solving his actual problem instead of understanding the underlying technology.

The Bottom Line

The global AI market is projected to reach $391 billion in 2025, with 97 million people working in AI-related roles. 378 million users are expected to adopt AI globally by 2025. But those numbers mean nothing if regular working people can't access the benefits.

The tools are simple. The applications are obvious once you see them. And the people who adapt aren't the ones with computer science degrees—they're the ones willing to try something new when it makes their life easier.

Up to 80% of U.S. workers might have at least 10% of their work activities affected by AI. But effect isn't the same as replacement—it's augmentation. The question is whether you'll be the one controlling the AI or watching others benefit while you struggle with the same old problems.

Next time someone tells you they're "not technical enough for AI," show them this. Remind them that if they can identify a problem involving words, they're technical enough.

The getting started solution is simpler than most people expect. And they deserve to know that.

P.S. NexGen Caveman, if you're reading this—you're already ahead of most people. That instinct to use AI for what you needed, then add your own twist? That's exactly how this is supposed to work. Keep asking the real questions. The rest of us are learning from you too.

More reading

1. Stanford HAI AI Index Report 2025

URL: https://hai.stanford.edu/ai-index/2025-ai-index-report
What it is: The definitive annual report on AI trends, adoption rates, and workforce impact from Stanford's Human-Centered AI Institute. Provides comprehensive data on AI productivity gains and workplace adoption statistics.

2. Fortune: "AI is helping blue-collar workers do more with less"

URL: https://fortune.com/2025/06/11/ai-blue-collar-labor-shortage-utilities-farmers/
What it is: In-depth reporting on how AI is actually being implemented in blue-collar industries like utilities and agriculture, with real productivity numbers and worker testimonials.

3. Gallup: "AI Use at Work Has Nearly Doubled in Two Years"

URL: https://www.gallup.com/workplace/691643/work-nearly-doubled-two-years.aspx
What it is: Major workplace survey data showing AI adoption trends among American workers, including frequency of use and demographic breakdowns.

4. HRD Daily Advisor: "The Real Barrier to AI Adoption Isn't Fear"

URL: https://hrdailyadvisor.com/2025/08/05/the-real-barrier-to-ai-adoption-isnt-fear-its-poor-training/
What it is: Research-based analysis of why workers aren't adopting AI tools, revealing that inadequate training (not fear) is the primary obstacle.

5. OECD: "Unlocking productivity with generative AI"

URL: https://www.oecd.org/en/blogs/2025/07/unlocking-productivity-with-generative-ai-evidence-from-experimental-studies.html
What it is: Rigorous economic analysis from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development showing 13-66% productivity gains from AI across different job functions.

6. CompanyCam: "A Beginner's Guide to AI in the Trades"

URL: https://companycam.com/resources/blog/a-beginners-guide-to-ai-in-the-trades
What it is: Practical resource specifically for construction and trade workers, with real-world examples of AI implementation in field work and project management.

7. Stack AI: "The 7 Biggest AI Adoption Challenges for 2025"

URL: https://www.stack-ai.com/blog/the-biggest-ai-adoption-challenges
What it is: Comprehensive breakdown of organizational and individual barriers to AI adoption, based on surveys and implementation studies.

8. Airtable: "The best no-code AI tools for 2025"

URL: https://www.airtable.com/articles/no-code-ai-tools
What it is: Detailed guide to AI tools that require no programming knowledge, with practical examples and use cases for non-technical users.

9. Succurri: "Practical Examples of AI in Everyday Life"

URL: https://www.succurri.com/blog/examples-of-ai-in-everyday-life/
What it is: Real-world case studies of AI applications across different industries and job functions, focusing on practical benefits for working professionals.

10. Pilot: "How AI Can Save Small Business Owners 10+ Hours Per Week"

URL: https://pilot.com/blog/how-small-business-owners-can-use-ai-to-save-time-and-boost-productivity
What it is: Data-driven analysis of time savings and productivity improvements for small business owners using basic AI tools, with specific examples and implementation guides.