What Is AI, Really? A Simple (and Honest) Guide

By Ryan Alexander Wainz | Cybersecurity & AI Advocate

Hi everyone! Welcome to post number two on the blog. Over the next few months, I’ll be sharing a mix of technical, non-technical, and interview-style posts. If you have a preference, please let me know—my goal is to share content that is valuable and practical for you!

If you’ve scrolled social media, read the news, or walked into any store, you’ve probably heard people mention “AI.” It’s a term everyone uses, but few fully understand or explain clearly.

Is AI going to replace your job? Is it just robots? Is it something to fear, or is it a tool you can use?

Let’s break down what AI really is in plain English, while also exploring how it works under the hood, how it will impact your future, and how it’s already influencing social media, daily life, and cybersecurity.

 
1️⃣ What Is AI? A Simple Explanation

At its core, Artificial Intelligence (AI) uses computers to perform tasks that typically require human intelligence, like recognizing faces in photos, suggesting your next show to watch, or answering your questions through tools like ChatGPT.

If you’ve used Google Maps, Netflix, Spotify, or even the spam filter in your email, you’ve already used AI. It’s not a single program or a magical robot like some think, but a collection of tools designed to help us process information and make decisions more efficiently.

 
2️⃣ Under the Hood: LLMs and Deep AI Concepts

For those interested in the technical side, AI includes subfields like machine learning, computer vision, and natural language processing.

Much of the recent excitement around AI comes from Large Language Models (LLMs) like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini. These models are built on neural networks trained on massive datasets, learning to predict the next word in a sentence with impressive accuracy.

Other important concepts include:

- Deep Learning: Multi-layered neural networks that recognize patterns in data, such as identifying objects in images.
- Reinforcement Learning: Training AI to make decisions through rewards, used in robotics and gaming.
- Transformers: Architectures that allow LLMs to handle context better, enabling human-like conversations.
- Generative Models: Tools that can create new content, including images, music, and code.

These technologies require significant computing power and vast amounts of data to function effectively. If you’re interested in a deeper technical post, let me know—I would be happy to create one and potentially collaborate with a machine learning engineer to share the most accurate insights. For now, I didn’t want to get too technical and risk boring anyone on post number two.😊 

 
3️⃣ How AI Will Impact the Future and Automation

AI will increasingly automate repetitive tasks across many industries, but it’s not just about replacing people. It will help humans by handling routine work, allowing us to focus on creativity, strategy, and human connection.

In healthcare, AI will assist in analyzing scans and medical records to detect conditions earlier. In finance, it will enhance fraud detection (like the work we do at my current company, Oversight). In transportation, AI can optimize traffic and routing—even in cities like St. Louis, where improving traffic flow is no small feat!

While some jobs will change, technological advancements historically create new opportunities. The key is staying adaptable and learning to use AI as a tool rather than seeing it as a threat. Change is never easy, but time and again, people have shown their ability to adapt and grow.

 
4️⃣ How AI Shapes Social Media and Daily Life

Every time you open Instagram, LinkedIn, or Facebook, AI is shaping what you see. Algorithms predict the content that will keep you engaged, using your likes, comments, and watch time to feed you more of what you interact with.

While this personalization helps keep you updated on what interests you, it can also create echo chambers, limiting exposure to different perspectives—a growing challenge in today’s environment.

In daily life, AI powers:

- Voice assistants like Siri and Alexa (getting better everyday) 
- Auto-complete in emails and texts (can help those long emails) 
- Online shopping recommendations (a little too good sometimes) 
- Smart home devices that optimize energy usage (still a work in progress haha)

AI is deeply embedded in our routines, often unnoticed, guiding many decisions both big and small.

 
5️⃣ How AI Affects Cybersecurity

AI is a double-edged sword in cybersecurity:

✅ Defense: AI helps detect suspicious activities quickly, identifying phishing attempts, unusual logins, and malware faster than humans alone.

❌ Attack: Cybercriminals are using AI to generate convincing phishing emails, automate attacks, and identify vulnerabilities at scale.

In St. Louis and around the world, organizations are leveraging AI to build stronger defenses, but the rise of AI-driven attacks means cybersecurity professionals must continuously adapt to stay ahead. This topic is top of mind at nearly every cybersecurity conference I attend and is an ongoing challenge in the industry.

 
Final Thoughts

AI isn’t just a Silicon Valley trend—it’s something you already use, and it’s transforming industries, cities, and daily routines, including right here in my hometown of St. Louis.

If you have questions about AI, how it might impact your career, or how to use it responsibly and securely, please reach out. If I don’t know the answer, I will find someone who does and get it answered for you.

Thank you for taking the time to learn and grow with me as we explore technology together. 

Until next time,
Ryan Alexander Wainz
Cybersecurity Professional | AI Enthusiast | Advocate for Accessible Digital Security