This Think Smart with TMFG episode, hosted by Mike Connon and John Iaconetti, Financial Advisors at The McClelland Financial Group of Assante Wealth Management, explores the rapid growth of artificial intelligence (AI), especially ChatGPT. They discuss how AI has expanded far beyond its initial perception as a student tool into healthcare, business, finance, and everyday life. While AI offers major benefits - such as medical advancements, efficiency in business, and productivity tools - it also presents risks including misinformation, over-reliance, job displacement, and mental health concerns. The hosts conclude that AI is a powerful tool, but human judgment remains essential to ensure it is used responsibly.

AI’s Growth: From early confusion around ChatGPT to now having over 800 million users, AI adoption has been rapid and widespread.

Applications Across Industries: AI plays roles in healthcare (disease detection), business (inventory management, robotics), transportation (self-driving and park assist), and finance (portfolio monitoring and client tools).

Productivity Gains: AI assists with writing, research, meeting summaries, and routine business tasks, freeing time for higher-value work.

Risks & Concerns:

AI can reinforce harmful ideas rather than provide sound advice.

Potential misuse in misinformation, surveillance, or weaponization.

Risk of job loss if displaced workers aren’t transitioned into meaningful new roles.

Mental health concerns when individuals rely on AI for guidance.

Best vs. Worst Case Scenarios:

Best: AI enhances healthcare, education, science, climate solutions, and relieves humans from repetitive work.

Worst: AI fuels misinformation, job loss, inequality, and loss of reality through deepfakes and false content.

Final Insight: AI is a tool—its impact depends on how responsibly humans use it. Critical thinking and human oversight are irreplaceable.