Principles for Using AI Autodidactically
Alternatively titled: How to turn LLMs into your personal learning sidekick (without losing your agency)
Hello fellow datanistas!
Have you ever wondered how to truly learn and grow with AI, rather than just passively consuming its outputs? This is a question I’ve been thinking about a lot, especially as LLMs become more integrated into our daily work and learning routines.
In this blog post, I share insights from interviews with researchers and digital professionals at Moderna about how the most effective learners use AI as an assistant, not a replacement. The key takeaway? The best autodidacts use LLMs to scaffold their own personalized learning journeys, starting with tailored syllabi and iteratively building knowledge through active questioning and critical thinking.
Rather than delegating all the heavy lifting to AI, these folks apply their own agency—questioning, cross-checking, and even using LLMs to critique their own work, much like jazz musicians riffing off each other. The core trick is to leverage the "galaxy brain" of LLMs while keeping your own critical faculties front and center. It’s about using AI to amplify your learning, not diminish your role in it.
If you’re curious about practical strategies and want to see real-world patterns from the frontlines, I invite you to check out the full post: Principles for Using AI Autodidactically.
Ultimately, AI is a double-edged sword—it can either increase your agency or diminish it, depending on how you use it. By actively engaging with LLMs and applying critical thinking, we can make the most of these powerful tools and truly own our learning journeys.
If you found these ideas helpful, please consider forwarding this post to friends or colleagues who might benefit. And as always, I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences—feel free to reply or leave a comment!
Cheers
Eric