Understanding and working with AI
⚙️ Understanding and Working with AI — My Experience
I use AI daily, and in many areas—especially programming—it’s been a game-changer.
I’ve completely stopped using freelance services for web development. The reason? With AI, I can work interactively, on my terms, and get results instantly. No more paying someone to try to understand my needs, then waiting days only to get something that doesn’t hit the mark. AI lets me build and revise in real time.
If you’ve ever tried to build a website and got stuck, I recommend trying it again—with AI in your corner. It’s like having a patient, tireless coding partner.
⚠️ But AI Can Get It Wrong—And It Did Today
While AI shines in code and content, today I ran into its limits.
My old diesel truck wouldn’t start—classic fuel delivery issue. The truck has minimal electronics, but it does use relays, and those can fail. I traced the problem to the fuel shutoff solenoid.
So I asked AI for help.
It correctly explained that the solenoid uses a two-stage system: a pull coil for startup, and a hold coil to keep fuel flowing after ignition. So far, so good.
Here’s what the AI initially told me for the 3-wire solenoid:
| Wire | Function | Connection Type |
|---|---|---|
| Red | Pull coil | +12V momentary (for ~1 sec on start) |
| White | Hold coil | +12V constant (while running) |
| Black | Ground | Chassis or engine block |
But this was wrong for my specific truck. After testing the wires manually, I found the actual behavior was the opposite:
| Wire | Correct Function | Wiring Setup |
|---|---|---|
| White | Pull coil | +12V momentary (cranking only) |
| Red | Hold coil | +12V constant via toggle switch |
| Black | Ground | Ground to chassis |
Turns out, Dodge Cummins didn’t follow the generic aftermarket wiring standard. So even though the AI sounded confident—and technically, the info was true in a general sense—it didn’t apply to my truck.
🧠 Lessons Learned
- AI is powerful but not perfect. It’s amazing at logic-based tasks like coding, layout, and scripting—but can be dangerously wrong in hardware situations unless you verify.
- General knowledge isn’t always specific knowledge. AI often assumes “typical” setups. But if your system is the exception, AI won’t know unless you tell it.
- Use AI as a tool, not a technician. You still need to think critically, test, and adapt to your real-world case.
🤖 Final Thought
I still use AI and rely on it daily—but this was a reminder:
You can’t outsource thinking. Use AI to amplify your abilities—not to replace your judgment.