When I first began experimenting with AI tools—using ChatGPT as a brainstorming buddy, Claude as a quick content summariser or draft reviewer, and Perplexity as a research assistant—I was struck by how much faster and better I could get things done. At the same time, I was working with organisations wrestling with how to adopt these tools responsibly. A pattern emerged: people were curious about AI, but most resources were either too technical, too alarmist, or too shallow.
That gap sparked an idea that became AI Life.
I initially proposed a series of short, practical books on how to apply AI in everyday life, starting with topics like job hunting and productivity. My publisher, In Easy Steps, introduced me to a new format—something they called a book-a-zine. Think of it as the best of both worlds: the approachable depth of a book combined with the visual energy of a magazine. For readers, that means you can dip in anywhere, get something useful in 10 minutes, and never feel overwhelmed.
What makes AI Life different?
Three things set it apart:
- Grounded authority: Every article is based on real-world use, whether from my own work or home-life, or what I’ve seen succeed elsewhere.
- Consumer-first design: We start with the questions people actually ask. Can I trust my kid to use ChatGPT responsibly? Why does my phone camera suddenly make me look better? Is a smart home really worth it?
- Permission to experiment: Perhaps most importantly, the intent is to give readers confidence. You don’t need to feel guilty for using AI, or be an expert to benefit.
Inside the first issue
The first issue covers a wide range of practical topics:
- Smarter Homes and Voice Assistants: From Alexa routines to smart lighting, and how to actually reclaim the value these tools promised.
- Tool Deep Dives: Exploring what makes ChatGPT, Claude, and Perplexity different, each with hands-on projects you can try.
- Spotlight Stories: How students, families, seniors, and people with disabilities are already using AI to make everyday life easier and more connected.
Every section is designed to be visual, scannable, and actionable—whether you’re trying to tame your inbox, coordinate a family schedule, or simply get better night photos from your phone .
Table of Contents
- First Encounters with AI
- What Is AI—and Why You Should Care
- Our Connected World
- Smarter Homes—Embrace Connected Living
- Voice Assistants—Make Siri, Alexa, and Google Work for You
- Smarter Photos—AI in Your Phone’s Camera
- Deep Dive on Tools
- Meet Your New Chatty Friends—Get Creative with Generative AI
- ChatGPT—Your Brainstorming Buddy Who Never Sleeps
- Claude—The AI That Actually Reads the Fine Print
- Perplexity—Your Personal Research Assistant
- Paid vs. Free—Decide if the Upgrade’s Worth It
- A Round Up of Other Generative AI Apps
- Spotlight Stories
- AI at Work—Supercharge Your Email and Meetings
- AI for Families—Share the Load and Stay Connected
- AI for Students—Learn or Cheat? You Decide
- AI for Seniors—Tools for Independence and Companionship
- AI for People with Disabilities—Everyday Accessibility, Empowerment, and Support
- Insights
- Ask an AI Expert
- AI Myths Debunked
Reflections
For me, AI Life was a new kind of writing challenge. Compared to my earlier books, I enjoyed the breadth of touching on so many aspects of AI without needing 200 pages on each. While the magazine-style format demanded a huge number of images and layouts, but thankfully I had a skilled editor alongside me. And yes, I even let AI lend a hand with some of the illustrations!
The most rewarding part has been hearing readers say it makes AI feel approachable. That balance—between clarity, practicality, and visual appeal—is exactly what we set out to achieve.
AI Life is available now in print and digital formats from In Easy Steps, Amazon, and other major booksellers.