What can you do with AI?

On the evening of 23rd March 2025, just an hour before Chennai Super Kings were to take the (Cricket) field, I had the opportunity to conduct a Masterclass at the Madras Gymkhana Club. The topic was close to my heart: “What can you do with AI? (All without requiring a technical background)”. I must admit, I was a bit anxious—would people turn up when Dhoni & Co. were about to play? To my pleasant surprise, not only did they show up, but we also had a full house with over 70 attendees!

What made this session extra special was the audience. These were not your typical tech conference participants. We had industry leaders, former defence officers, and esteemed senior members—including Sri T K Rangarajan, former Rajya Sabha MP. It was inspiring to see that the curiosity around AI now cuts across age, profession, and background. The room was buzzing with thoughtful questions, healthy scepticism, and even a few jokes about AI replacing politicians!

In the masterclass, I shared my journey with AI, walked through the differences between traditional AI and generative AI, and showcased real-world, practical applications. We discussed five smart ways AI is already transforming lives—as a partner at work, a coach, a tutor, a creative wizard, and even a reliable expert. I kept the examples simple, showing how tools like ChatGPT or NotebookLM can help even in everyday tasks—without needing to write a single line of code.

We didn’t shy away from the darker side either. I highlighted notable failures like Zillow Offers and Klarna, where AI decisions had costly consequences. The audience appreciated the balanced perspective—that while AI is powerful, it’s not perfect. We wrapped up with six practical steps anyone could take to adopt AI meaningfully in their work or organisation—starting with access and experimentation.

Looking back, the most heartening moment was seeing senior professionals eagerly jotting down links and asking for follow-ups. AI isn’t just for the next generation—it’s now everyone’s business. A heartfelt thank you to the Gymkhana Club for hosting, and to every participant for making it an evening that was (almost!) as exciting as the cricket match.