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Hey Reader!

I can still see my dad’s office like it was yesterday.

Me, probably 13, backpack still on, peering over his shoulder at the computer screen. Him, typing lines of code that seemed like magic to me, creating something out of nothing but numbers and letters.

When I told him how impressed I was, he just shrugged and said something that would stick with me for decades: “It’s just a dumb machine that does what I tell it to do.”

Classic Dad. Always downplaying his brilliance…

Fast forward to 2025, and I find myself thinking about Dad’s words every time I see another headline about AI taking over the world.

I can almost hear his practical engineer’s voice cutting through all the noise: “It’s just a machine that does what you tell it to do.”

And you know what? He was right then about computers, and he’d be right now about AI. All these powerful tools - ChatGPT, Midjourney, Claude - they’re just like that computer in his office.

They’re only as good as what we give them. The clearer our instructions, the better our results.

It’s funny how sometimes the simplest wisdom turns out to be the most timeless…

When I first stumbled across ChatGPT through a random Facebook ad (before it was everywhere), I approached it with my dad’s mindset.

No fear, just curiosity. I had no idea what I was doing, but I remembered his lesson: garbage in, garbage out.

Just like Dad’s old computer, I discovered that AI responds to what YOU bring to the table. Vague instructions? Vague results. Clear, detailed prompts? Now we’re talking.

Every time I got a great response, I could almost see Dad’s knowing smile, hear him say “See? It’s just doing what you told it to do.”

The truth is, AI isn’t magic, and it’s not scary. It’s a tool, just like that computer in Dad’s office all those years ago. And just like he taught me then, the key isn’t in the technology itself - it’s in how we choose to use it.

Sometimes the best teachers show up in unexpected ways.

For me, it was my dad in his office, casually dropping tech wisdom between lines of code. He probably never imagined his simple truth about computers would help his daughter navigate the AI revolution decades later.

But that’s the thing about good advice - it grows with you. Every time I help someone understand AI, every time I see that “aha” moment when they realize they can actually control this tool… I feel like Dad’s still teaching, still demystifying technology, still making the complex simple.

So here’s my invitation to you: Next time AI feels overwhelming, hear my dad’s voice in your head: “It’s just a machine that does what you tell it to do.”

Take a deep breath. Get specific about what you want. And remember - you’re in charge here, not the other way around.

Dad would have loved seeing you figure this out. And somewhere, I think he’s smiling, probably shrugging, and saying “See? Not so complicated after all.”

Until next time,

Johnna 🐝

P.S. I created a new Digital Designers AI Prompt Vault to help you go from idea to launch (and everything in between). You can learn more about it here.​

Wondering who the heck is sending you this email? Hey it's me, Johnna Kirk, founding Queen Bee - I help beginner digital creators turn ideas into profitable products and build systems for success - without the burnout. I'm also a mom, grandmother of 3, an avid reader, have a big sweet tooth and love to pour all my Scorpio energy into new projects. Check me out at johnnakirk.com.

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