Chapter 26 - AI in Different Careers

AI in Medicine and Healthcare – Told by Zack Edwards

AI in Medicine and Healthcare – Told by Zack Edwards. I still remember the first time I stepped into a modern hospital lab equipped with AI tools. Machines no longer waited passively for instructions; they interpreted data, flagged abnormalities, and guided medical teams toward answers that once took days or weeks to uncover. It struck me that we were witnessing the beginning of a new kind of partnership—one where human knowledge and machine intelligence work side by side to protect and heal.

How AI Helps Doctors See the Invisible

One of the most powerful transformations in healthcare comes from AI’s ability to analyze medical images. Radiologists used to spend hours scanning through X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans, searching for tiny signs of trouble. Now, AI systems can highlight suspicious spots instantly and compare them to millions of past cases. Doctors still make the final call, but AI helps them catch what the human eye might miss. It is as if every physician suddenly gained a second set of eyes—eyes trained by decades of medical history, patterns, and outcomes.

Diagnosing Diseases with Data and Patterns

AI thrives on patterns, and medicine is full of them—symptoms, test results, patient histories, risk factors. When doctors type patient information into an AI system, it can suggest possible diagnoses and highlight what might be most urgent. This doesn’t replace a doctor’s judgment, but it gives them an advantage no generation before has enjoyed: the ability to analyze immense amounts of information in seconds. This is especially useful in rare diseases, where even experienced medical teams may see only a few cases in their entire career. AI, however, has seen thousands through its training and can point physicians in the right direction much faster.

Supporting Doctors in Critical Decisions

Doctors work under pressure every day. In emergency rooms, minutes matter, and hesitation can change a life. Today, AI assists physicians by predicting which patients might decline rapidly, who may need immediate attention, or which treatments are likely to be most effective for a specific individual. These systems do not decide for the doctor—they illuminate the road ahead. They act like advisors who never tire, never overlook small changes, and never forget a detail. This level of support helps doctors stay focused on the human being in front of them, not the overwhelm of data behind them.

Improving Patient Care Through Personalization

Perhaps the most beautiful part of AI in healthcare is how it personalizes treatment. No two patients are exactly alike, and AI recognizes this. By studying lifestyle, genetics, habits, and medical history, it can help build treatment plans tailored for each person. This approach makes medicine feel less like a one-size-fits-all system and more like true individual care. Patients receive recommendations that match their unique needs, and doctors gain deeper insights into how to guide them.

The Future of Healing with AI

As I walk through hospitals today, I can see glimpses of what tomorrow will bring: AI-powered tools that monitor patients in real time, robotic assistants that help during surgeries, and systems that warn healthcare teams before a condition becomes dangerous. The goal is not to replace doctors or nurses but to give them the tools to be their very best. AI strengthens their skills, fills in gaps, and frees them to spend more time actually connecting with patients. The future of healthcare will be built on this partnership between human experience and machine intelligence, and I think it may become one of the greatest breakthroughs of our time.

My Name is Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr.: Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court

My name is Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr.: Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court. I was born in 1841 in Boston, a city shaped by ideas, arguments, and the restless pursuit of truth. My father was a celebrated writer and thinker, my mother a woman of intellect and quiet strength. From my earliest days I learned that a mind is sharpened not by comfort but by challenge. The Civil War tested that belief. As a young man, I fought for the Union, suffered wounds at Antietam, Ball’s Bluff, and Fredericksburg, and saw firsthand how fragile life is and how fiercely justice must be protected. Those experiences carved into me a lifelong understanding: the law is not an abstract ideal but a living force that must withstand the harshest of human realities.

The Path Toward Judicial Philosophy

After the war I returned to Harvard to study law, still carrying the lessons of battle. I soon discovered that the law I wished to serve was not merely a system of ancient words but a field of evolving ideas. When I wrote The Common Law in 1881, I declared a truth that would guide me for the rest of my life: “The life of the law has not been logic; it has been experience.” That belief became the foundation of my judicial philosophy. I held that judges must look not only to precedent but to the needs, conflicts, and living conditions of society. The law, I felt, must bend to life—not force life to bend to it.

Joining the Supreme Court

In 1902, President Theodore Roosevelt appointed me to the United States Supreme Court. I took my seat knowing that the Court was not a sanctuary for personal convictions but a workshop for refining principles that shaped the lives of millions. I believed deeply in judicial restraint, that courts should allow democratic institutions to act unless they violated the most fundamental liberties. Yet I also believed in the importance of dissent. When the majority erred, silence was not an option. My dissents became, as some later said, “the voice of the future,” shaping doctrines long after my words were first spoken.

Shaping Free Speech and Constitutional Thought

My years on the bench were marked by cases that tested the boundaries of constitutional freedoms. In Schenck v. United States, I wrote the famous line that free speech would not protect a man “falsely shouting fire in a theatre.” Yet it was in later cases, particularly Abrams v. United States, that I sharpened my view. There, in dissent, I argued that only speech posing a “clear and present danger” to lawful order should be constrained, for the marketplace of ideas must remain open. I declared that “the best test of truth is the power of the thought to get itself accepted in the competition of the market.” These words became a cornerstone of American free speech law, long after my own voice was gone from the bench.

Legacy and Reflection

I served until the age of ninety, becoming one of the longest-serving justices in American history. My life taught me that the law is a human endeavor shaped by struggle, growth, and constant reevaluation. I never believed the Constitution was frozen in the age of its authors; rather, I believed it was built for the unfolding experience of a nation in motion. I have often been called the Great Dissenter, but dissent was never my aim. My aim was clarity, honesty, and fidelity to the belief that liberty grows through argument, not silence. If my work endures, it is because generations after me continue that argument in pursuit of a more thoughtful, more just Republic.

AI in Law and Criminal Justice – Told by Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr.

AI in Medicine and Healthcare – Told by Zack Edwards. Every time I visit a modern hospital or talk with healthcare professionals, I’m reminded that medicine has always been a race against time—time to diagnose, time to treat, time to save lives. Today, AI has become an extraordinary partner in that race. It helps doctors see patterns hidden in data, supports nurses in monitoring patients, and strengthens the entire system of care. For anyone considering a future in healthcare, understanding these tools offers a tremendous head start.

Diagnosing Diseases With Unmatched Precision

In the past, diagnosing a complex illness could require multiple tests, consultations, and long hours reviewing medical records. AI now analyzes these elements almost instantly. It compares scans, symptoms, and lab results to millions of documented cases, identifying early warning signs that the human eye might miss. Doctors still make the final decisions, but AI gives them a clearer roadmap. For students interested in medicine, learning how these diagnostic systems work will help them think critically, ask better questions, and collaborate effectively with the technologies shaping the future of care.

Assisting Doctors in High-Stakes Decisions

Healthcare is filled with moments where small details matter. AI tracks patient data in real time, alerting doctors and nurses when something begins to shift—heart rhythms, oxygen levels, or subtle changes in lab results. These systems act like silent observers who never tire and never lose focus. They help clinicians prioritize care and respond quickly when intervention is needed. Aspiring healthcare workers can benefit from understanding how to interpret these alerts, how to adjust treatment plans, and how to work alongside advanced monitoring tools.

Improving Patient Care Through Personalization

One of AI’s greatest strengths is personalization. Every patient’s body, history, and lifestyle is different. AI helps physicians design treatment plans tailored to each individual, predicting how they might respond to different medications or therapies. This moves medicine away from one-size-fits-all approaches and toward care that is genuinely individualized. Young healthcare professionals who embrace this shift will be able to offer more precise, effective, and compassionate care from the beginning of their careers.

Supporting Nurses and Healthcare Teams Behind the Scenes

AI also handles tasks that once consumed valuable time—updating records, organizing schedules, and checking medication interactions. By reducing administrative burdens, it allows healthcare workers to spend more time with patients, where their presence truly matters. Students entering the field will find that understanding AI-based administrative systems helps them work more efficiently and communicate more clearly with their teams.

Preparing for a Future Where Technology and Compassion Work Together

What excites me most is how AI expands opportunities for young people who want to enter medicine. They can practice diagnosing sample cases, explore virtual anatomy, or run simulations that mimic real medical scenarios. They can learn faster, ask deeper questions, and build confidence long before setting foot in a clinic. AI will not replace doctors or nurses—it will strengthen them. Those who take the time to understand these tools will find themselves ready to lead in a profession where scientific skill and human compassion must always go hand in hand.

AI in Business and Entrepreneurship

AI in Business and Entrepreneurship – Told by Zack Edwards. When I sit down with young entrepreneurs, I often see the same challenge: they have an idea, but they don’t know how to shape it into a viable business. In the past, developing a concept required long sessions of brainstorming, research, and trial and error. Today, AI acts as a creative partner that helps founders refine their ideas with surprising speed. With a few prompts, AI can explore markets, outline business models, and generate new angles the entrepreneur might never have considered. This gives rising innovators a clearer starting point and the confidence to move forward.

Designing Products With Speed and Precision

Once a business idea is chosen, the next step is turning it into something tangible. AI accelerates this transformation by generating product sketches, prototypes, and design variations instantly. Logos, packaging concepts, website layouts, and user interfaces can all be drafted in moments. This lets entrepreneurs test ideas quickly and make adjustments without hiring multiple designers or spending hours learning complex software. For those aiming to enter this field, mastering AI-assisted design gives them a competitive advantage—it shortens development time and increases creative flexibility.

Understanding Customers Before Meeting Them

A successful business depends on understanding its customers. Traditionally, this required surveys, interviews, and extensive market research. AI now analyzes customer behavior, identifies trends, and simulates conversations with potential buyers. It reveals what people value, what problems they face, and what messages resonate with them. Entrepreneurs can use these insights to refine their products and craft marketing strategies that align with real needs. Anyone entering the industry will benefit from learning how to interpret AI-driven insights and turn them into actionable decisions.

Building Investor Pitches That Make an Impression

Pitching remains one of the most nerve-wracking steps in entrepreneurship. It demands clarity, persuasion, and a well-structured message. AI helps by organizing ideas into narratives that investors understand—problems, solutions, market opportunities, and financial projections. It also assists in designing pitch decks, writing scripts, and preparing for tough questions. Young founders who use AI to prepare will enter investor meetings with stronger presentations and greater confidence. It doesn't replace their passion, but it does help them express it more effectively.

Creating Systems That Support Sustainable Growth

A business doesn’t succeed by launching alone; it succeeds by operating well over time. AI helps entrepreneurs build workflows, manage communication, track expenses, and analyze performance. These tools allow small teams—or even solo founders—to maintain the efficiency of much larger organizations. Aspiring entrepreneurs who learn to implement AI in their processes will find themselves more organized, less overwhelmed, and better positioned for growth.

Using AI to Shape Their Future in Business

The most exciting aspect of AI in entrepreneurship is how much opportunity it creates for newcomers. The barriers that once limited young founders—lack of resources, limited experience, or small networks—are no longer as restrictive. With AI, they can test ideas, design products, build strategies, and communicate with clarity long before forming a full team. It empowers them to experiment, to take risks, and to bring their ideas to life faster than any previous generation. For those ready to enter the industry, AI is not a shortcut but a multiplier—one that amplifies creativity, strengthens decision-making, and helps transform ambition into real-world success.

AI in Engineering AI in Engineering (Software, Civil, Mechanical) – Told by Zack Edwards. Whenever I visit modern engineering teams or watch students experimenting with new tools, I’m struck by how quickly ideas can become working models. Engineering has always been about solving problems with precision and creativity. Now, with AI as a partner, those solutions come to life faster, more accurately, and with fewer barriers. Whether someone dreams of designing software, building bridges, or inventing new machines, AI opens pathways that make the field more approachable and exciting.

Coding with Intelligence and Confidence

Software engineering was once defined by long hours of typing, testing, and searching through lines of code to uncover errors. AI has changed that rhythm entirely. Today, developers can describe a function they need, and AI generates a clean starting point. When bugs appear, AI explains the issue and suggests fixes. When a concept seems confusing, AI provides examples and clarifications within seconds. For those hoping to enter the software industry, this means they can learn faster, experiment more freely, and build impressive projects earlier in their journey. The foundation of success still requires understanding, but AI accelerates every step toward mastery.

Simulations That Bring Civil Engineering to Life

Civil engineering has always required imagination—the ability to picture how structures behave under pressure, weather, or human use. AI strengthens this ability by running simulations that test buildings, roads, and bridges before they are ever built. Engineers can adjust materials, dimensions, and designs and instantly see how those changes affect strength and stability. This removes much of the uncertainty that once slowed early stages of planning. Students who want to enter this field can use these tools to practice real-world problem-solving long before stepping into an office or job site.

Blueprints and Mechanical Designs Created at Lightning Speed

Mechanical engineers rely on detailed blueprints and precise measurements. Creating these designs by hand or even with digital tools used to take hours, sometimes days. AI now generates drafts almost instantly based on specifications and descriptions. It can produce multiple versions, compare them, and highlight which one performs best under certain conditions. For aspiring engineers, this capability is invaluable. They can prototype ideas quickly, test their assumptions, and learn from immediate feedback—all essential skills for becoming a strong designer and innovator.

Troubleshooting With Patterns and Predictive Insight

One of the most frustrating moments in engineering is encountering a problem you can’t quite explain. A system fails, a device vibrates unexpectedly, or a program breaks in a hidden corner. AI helps by recognizing patterns that humans might miss. It analyzes previous solutions, compares symptoms across thousands of cases, and identifies likely causes. This allows engineers to spend less time hunting for the issue and more time improving the solution. For new engineers, learning to use AI for troubleshooting builds confidence and sharpens their ability to think critically.

Using AI to Build a Path Into the Industry

What makes this moment in engineering so exciting is how accessible it has become. Students can design machines, run simulations, and build software with tools that were once reserved for advanced labs and large corporations. By learning to use AI effectively, they enter the field with capabilities that earlier generations could only dream of. They can build strong portfolios, contribute to real projects, and demonstrate problem-solving skills that employers deeply value. AI does not replace the engineer; it elevates them, helping them turn bold ideas into working solutions more quickly and with greater precision.

My Name is Ida B. Wells: Investigative Journalist and Civil Rights Advocate

My name is Ida B. Wells: Investigative Journalist and Civil Rights Advocate. I was born in 1862 in Holly Springs, Mississippi, in the final years of the Civil War. My parents had been enslaved, and though we were freed by law, the world around us still clung fiercely to old injustices. When yellow fever claimed the lives of my parents, I was just sixteen. I became responsible for my younger siblings and took up teaching to support them. It was during this time that I learned a truth that would guide me all my life: when injustice rises, silence is not an option.

Awakening to the Power of the Press

My work as a teacher exposed me to racial inequality, but it was my expulsion from a segregated train car that lit the fire of my activism. I sued the railroad for their discrimination—an act considered bold for a Black woman in the South. My victory in the lower courts was later overturned, but the experience sharpened my resolve. It taught me that the written word could become a weapon of justice. Soon I joined the Memphis Free Speech and Headlight as an editor and writer. Through journalism I found my calling: uncovering the truth when others sought to bury it.

Investigating Lynching and Exposing Injustice

The turning point in my life came when three of my friends—successful Black businessmen—were lynched by a white mob in Memphis. Their crime was not wrongdoing but competition. I refused to let their murders fade into rumor or lies. I began investigating lynchings across the South, gathering records, interviews, and facts that many feared to confront. My findings shattered the myth that lynching was the punishment of criminals. Instead, it was a tool of terror, used to control, intimidate, and destroy Black progress. My pamphlets, such as Southern Horrors and The Red Record, demanded that America face its own brutality. Some called my work dangerous; others called it treasonous. I called it the truth.

Battles Against Misinformation and Public Denial

My reporting brought consequences. Mobs destroyed my printing press, and threats drove me from Memphis. But I continued my work in Chicago, speaking, writing, and organizing. I traveled to England and Scotland to rally international support against lynching. Everywhere I went, I confronted misinformation and propaganda designed to justify violence. I believed that journalism must not only report events but challenge lies, distortions, and the comfortable ignorance that allows injustice to survive. I learned that the battle for truth is long, and it requires relentless courage.

Legacy and the Enduring Power of the Written Word

Throughout my life, I used the press not for fame, but for justice. I became one of the founders of the NAACP, fought for women’s suffrage, and advocated for the rights of the poor and oppressed. Yet my greatest work remained the pursuit of truth through journalism. I saw how a single article, a single set of documented facts, could expose corruption and shake the conscience of a nation. My legacy is not just in what I wrote but in the belief that every citizen must question, investigate, and speak boldly. The fight against misinformation continues, and I hope my story reminds others that truth-telling is one of the most powerful forces for change.

AI in Education and Teaching – Told by Ida B. Wells

AI in Education and Teaching – Told by Ida B. Wells. If I were to return to the classroom today, I would find an environment supported by intelligent tools that expand a teacher’s reach and strengthen a student’s experience. The demands on educators have always been great: the need to prepare lessons, guide each learner, evaluate progress, and maintain fairness and clarity. Artificial intelligence does not remove these responsibilities, but it lightens them, allowing teachers to focus more on the parts of education that truly shape young minds.

Lessons Created with Speed and Purpose

Preparing lessons once required hours of reading, outlining, and writing. AI now assists by generating draft lessons, activities, and explanations that teachers can adapt to their students’ needs. These tools respond to grade level, learning goals, and subject matter with remarkable precision. This gives educators more time for creativity, discussion, and personal connection. For those interested in entering the field, mastering AI-assisted lesson design will become a valuable skill, allowing them to build strong materials quickly and refine them with their own insight.

Grading Assistants That Support Fair and Consistent Evaluation

Grading is one of the most time-consuming duties a teacher faces, and it demands patience, accuracy, and consistency. AI offers support by identifying patterns in student work, spotting errors, and generating constructive feedback. Though teachers still make final judgments, AI reduces the burden and ensures that no detail is overlooked. Future educators who learn to use these systems wisely will be able to spend less time on paperwork and more time coaching, mentoring, and encouraging their students.

Tutoring Agents That Provide Constant Support

Many students hesitate to ask questions out of fear of slowing down the class or revealing confusion. AI tutoring agents change that dynamic by offering private, personalized guidance at any hour. These agents explain concepts in different ways, check understanding, and encourage practice until confidence grows. For aspiring teachers, learning to integrate these tools into their classroom strategy can help them reach every student more effectively. They will be able to create a learning environment where help is always available, even when the teacher is busy or the day is done.

Content Generators That Keep Learning Fresh and Engaging

Education thrives when lessons feel relevant and dynamic. AI can generate reading passages, discussion prompts, quizzes, projects, and real-world scenarios that bring topics to life. This allows teachers to refresh their materials regularly without losing precious time. Those preparing to enter the education profession can use these tools to build portfolios, practice their teaching style, and design sample units that showcase creativity and adaptability.

Building a Future in Education with AI as a Partner

For anyone hoping to join the teaching profession, understanding how to use AI responsibly and effectively is becoming essential. These tools do not replace the compassion, judgment, and intuition that define great educators. Instead, they provide support that allows teachers to spend more time forming meaningful relationships, differentiating instruction, and responding to the needs of each learner. New educators who embrace AI will find themselves better equipped, less overwhelmed, and more prepared to inspire their students. In this new chapter of education, technology serves not as a substitute for the teacher, but as an ally in the pursuit of opportunity, equality, and understanding.

AI in Media, Marketing, and Advertising – Told by Ida B. Wells

AI in Media, Marketing, and Advertising – Told by Ida B. Wells. If I were to walk into a newsroom or creative agency today, I would find a landscape transformed by tools capable of producing powerful messages in moments. In my own time, every pamphlet, speech, or editorial required long hours of preparation. Today, artificial intelligence can generate visual designs, videos, slogans, and entire marketing campaigns with astonishing speed. Yet despite these new methods, the goal remains unchanged: to communicate clearly, persuasively, and truthfully.

Creating Visuals That Speak Instantly

A single image can shape how people feel about a message, and AI now allows anyone to create logos, illustrations, and branding material simply by describing their vision. Whether someone needs a symbol for a new business or an eye-catching graphic for a campaign, AI offers multiple options within seconds. This accessibility is valuable for young professionals entering media fields. They no longer need large budgets or specialized equipment. Instead, they can experiment freely, refine ideas quickly, and develop a style that sets them apart.

Producing Videos That Capture Attention

Video has become one of the most influential forms of communication. AI tools can now animate characters, edit footage, add voiceovers, or create entire scenes without traditional film equipment. What required a full production crew can now be done on a laptop. For those hoping to enter marketing or advertising, this shift is an opportunity. They can practice storytelling, create sample commercials, and develop polished content that showcases their creativity before they even join the industry. AI expands their portfolio and widens their reach.

Shaping Scripts and Messaging with Precision

Behind every advertisement is a crafted message—one designed to inform, inspire, or persuade. AI helps writers generate scripts, taglines, and campaign concepts that match the tone and purpose of a brand. It analyzes language patterns and predicts which phrases resonate with audiences. While it does not replace the human ability to feel and interpret emotion, it provides a strong foundation for creators to build upon. Young professionals can use these tools to sharpen their writing, test variations, and explore messaging strategies with far greater efficiency.

Building Campaigns with Strategy and Insight

Marketing is not only about creativity; it is also about understanding people. AI helps creators study audience behavior, track engagement, and anticipate trends. Whether launching a business or crafting a cause-driven campaign, students can learn to use these insights to guide their decisions. They can compare audiences, tailor content, and adjust their approach based on real data. This ability to combine artistry with analytics is increasingly essential in modern communication careers.

Using AI to Build a Path Into the Industry

The rise of AI in media is not something to fear—it is something to embrace. These tools empower newcomers to create professional-quality work before they ever set foot in an agency or newsroom. They allow aspiring writers, designers, and strategists to build portfolios that demonstrate both creativity and technical skill. What once required years of training or access to expensive resources is now within reach of anyone with curiosity and dedication. For those who hope to enter media, marketing, or advertising, learning to use AI responsibly and skillfully can open doors to opportunities previously out of reach.

AI in Art, Music, and Creative Industries

AI in Art, Music, and Creative Industries – Told by Zack Edwards. Whenever I explore the creative tools available today, I’m struck by how easily ideas can become tangible works of art. What once demanded years of technical training can now begin with a simple description, a sketch, or even a melody hummed into a microphone. AI doesn’t diminish creativity; it opens doors to new forms of expression, giving anyone the ability to create visuals, sounds, and stories with remarkable speed and quality.

Drawing and Illustration with Intelligent Brushes

AI-powered drawing tools allow artists to bring ideas to life in seconds. A creator can describe a style—watercolor, comic, realism, surrealism—and AI generates multiple versions instantly. These tools let students experiment with composition, lighting, and detail without needing expensive software or advanced techniques. They also serve as companions to skilled artists, helping them test concepts, explore variants, and push their imagination further than ever before. Instead of limiting creativity, AI expands it, offering an endless supply of starting points.

Animation and 3D Modeling Made Accessible

Animation was once reserved for large studios with dedicated teams. Now AI can turn a still image into a moving scene or help animate characters with natural expressions and motion. For 3D artists, AI assists in modeling, rigging, and texturing, accelerating processes that previously consumed weeks. The speed of iteration encourages experimentation: creators can try bold ideas without fearing the time investment. This shift makes the world of animation and modeling accessible to students, independent storytellers, and small teams ready to bring their visions to life.

Music Composition in the Age of Intelligent Sound

Perhaps the most fascinating transformation is happening in music. AI can now compose original melodies, harmonize vocals, and produce full songs that rival professional tracks. Some AI-generated songs are climbing the charts, surprising listeners who cannot tell whether the artist is human or machine. These tools let anyone, regardless of musical training, experiment with genres, craft soundscapes, and create pieces that feel polished and emotionally powerful. For experienced musicians, AI becomes a collaborator—offering harmonies, variations, or rhythmic patterns that can spark unexpected inspiration.

Learning from the Rise of AI-Generated Hits

The fact that AI-created music is entering mainstream rankings tells us something important: audiences respond to creativity no matter where it comes from. For young creators, this is a signal that experimentation is welcome and that new voices can find their place in a crowded industry. Understanding how AI tools work, and how they shape trends, gives students an advantage. They can study what resonates with listeners, analyze patterns in popular tracks, and use AI to refine their own artistic voice. Rather than competing against AI, creators can use it to elevate their craft.

Turning Knowledge into Opportunity

The creative industries are changing rapidly, but the core truth remains: ideas still matter. AI simply provides more powerful ways to express them. Students can build portfolios with art and animation generated through iterative AI projects. Musicians can produce full albums from their bedrooms. Filmmakers can storyboard and visualize scenes with ease. These tools reduce barriers that once kept many talented individuals from entering the creative world. With curiosity, practice, and thoughtful use of AI, young creators can turn inspiration into real opportunity—finding their place in industries that are more open than ever to fresh voices and innovative ideas.

AI in Finance, Accounting, and Real Estate

AI in Finance, Accounting, and Real Estate – Told by Zack Edwards. When I step into conversations about modern finance, I am always struck by how dramatically the landscape has shifted. Decisions that once required teams of analysts, piles of reports, and weeks of evaluation can now be supported by AI tools capable of processing information in seconds. Markets move fast, and for the first time, individuals—not just large institutions—have access to intelligent systems that help them understand trends, evaluate risks, and make more confident financial decisions.

Forecasting the Future with Data-Driven Precision

Predicting market behavior has always been part art, part science. AI is changing the balance by leaning heavily on data. These systems analyze years of financial history, compare patterns across industries, and detect early signs of change that humans might overlook. Whether you’re a business forecasting sales, an investor watching stock trends, or a homeowner tracking real estate prices, AI provides a clearer picture of what may come next. While no prediction is perfect, AI reduces uncertainty and gives people a stronger foundation for planning their financial future.

Risk Analysis That Reveals What Others Miss

In finance, the biggest dangers are often the ones hiding beneath the surface. AI helps uncover risks by analyzing details that are too complex or subtle for the human eye. It can detect unusual spending patterns, highlight vulnerabilities in a budget, or signal when a market is becoming unstable. For accountants, AI tools can identify errors, inconsistencies, or suspicious activity automatically, allowing them to focus on higher-level decision-making. This kind of support empowers professionals to act sooner, avoid costly mistakes, and protect both businesses and individuals from unforeseen threats.

Smarter Budgets for Businesses and Individuals

Budgeting used to be a static process—numbers written into spreadsheets and reviewed only occasionally. AI makes budgeting dynamic and responsive. It can track spending habits in real time, recommend adjustments, and project how small changes today will impact future goals. Entrepreneurs can model different financial scenarios to see how decisions might affect cash flow. Families can build budgets that adapt to their needs and priorities. With AI, financial planning becomes less overwhelming and more strategic, helping people stay aligned with their long-term objectives.

Evaluating Real Estate Markets with New Clarity

Real estate has always been influenced by hundreds of variables: location, economic trends, interest rates, school districts, development plans, and more. AI evaluates these factors together, revealing insights that once took months to gather. Whether someone is buying a home, investing in rental properties, or analyzing commercial land, AI provides property comparisons, neighborhood forecasts, and price predictions with remarkable speed. Professionals can use these tools to guide clients confidently, while individuals gain the ability to make informed decisions without needing years of market experience.

Turning Financial Knowledge into Opportunity

What excites me most is how accessible these tools have become. Students, entrepreneurs, and families can now use the same types of systems once reserved for banks and corporations. By learning how to interpret AI-generated insights, young people can approach their financial lives with confidence. They can spot opportunities early, understand risks clearly, and build strategies that match their goals. AI does not guarantee success, but it narrows the gap between beginners and experts. With curiosity and responsible use, anyone can turn data into advantage and opportunity into reality.

Vocabular to Learn While Learning About AI In Different Careers

1. Machine LearningDefinition: A branch of AI where computers learn from data and improve their performance over time.Sentence: Machine learning helps legal researchers predict which past cases are most relevant to a new lawsuit.

2. Predictive ModelingDefinition: Using data and algorithms to estimate future outcomes or behaviors.Sentence: Real estate agents use predictive modeling to forecast which neighborhoods will rise in value.

3. Natural Language Processing (NLP)Definition: A technology that allows computers to understand and generate human language.Sentence: Lawyers used an NLP tool to summarize long contracts before writing their briefs.

4. Diagnostic ToolDefinition: Software or equipment that helps identify problems, especially in medicine or engineering.Sentence: The hospital’s new diagnostic tool detected a heart condition that earlier tests had missed.

5. PersonalizationDefinition: Customizing content or services to fit an individual’s needs or preferences.Sentence: The AI tutoring app offered personalization by adjusting lessons based on how quickly each student learned.

6. WorkflowDefinition: The sequence of steps or tasks needed to complete a job or process.Sentence: Entrepreneurs improved their workflow by using AI to automate customer emails.

7. Creative GenerationDefinition: AI producing original content such as images, music, videos, or text.Sentence: The marketing team used creative generation to create sample ads before choosing their final design.

8. ForecastingDefinition: Predicting future events or trends based on current information and patterns.Sentence: Economists use AI forecasting tools to estimate how a change in policy could affect jobs.

9. Ethical UseDefinition: Using technology responsibly, fairly, and with consideration for its impact on others.Sentence: Students learned the importance of ethical use when working with sensitive medical data.

10. Market AnalysisDefinition: Studying customers, competitors, and trends to understand a market.Sentence: Before launching their product, the startup used AI for market analysis to determine who their first customers should be.

Activities to Demonstrate While Learning About AI Automation and Productivity

Build Your Own AI Career Assistant – Recommended: Intermediate to Advanced Students

Activity Description: Students choose a career—doctor, engineer, lawyer, artist, teacher, or entrepreneur—and use an AI tool (like ChatGPT) to create a simple “AI assistant” for that job. They ask it questions professionals might ask and compare its answers to real-world responsibilities.

Objective: To help students understand how AI assists different professions and to practice designing prompts that guide AI effectively.

Materials:• Laptop or tablet with access to an AI chatbot• Paper or digital notes• Optional career research handouts

Instructions:

1. Students pick one career from Chapter 26.

2. They design a prompt asking the AI to “act as” a professional in that field.

3. Students ask 5–8 realistic career-related questions (e.g., “What would a civil engineer check first when evaluating a bridge?”).

4. Students record the AI’s answers and highlight key insights.

5. Students share how AI could help someone starting out in that field.

Learning Outcome: Students understand how AI functions as a workplace support tool and gain experience in prompt creation and evaluation.

AI Career Poster & Video Campaign – Recommended: Intermediate to Advanced Students

Activity Description: Students design a poster or short video introducing a career and explaining how AI supports that profession. Younger students create simple posters; older students create short AI-assisted videos using Canva, Adobe Express, or an AI video generator.

Objective: To visually communicate how AI shapes different industries and develop media literacy skills.

Materials:• Poster paper or digital design tools• AI media tools (Canva, Adobe Express, Synthesia/Hedra for older grades)• Career descriptions from Chapter 26

Instructions:

1. Students select a career field (medicine, law, art, business, engineering, etc.).

2. They research one example of how AI is used in that field.

3. Younger students create posters with images, labels, and short explanations.

4. Older students design a short video or animated slide presentation using AI tools.

5. Students present their work to the class or family members.

Learning Outcome: Students learn to communicate technological concepts visually and understand real-world applications of AI across careers.

AI Problem-Solving Scenario Challenge – Recommended: Intermediate to Advanced Students

Activity Description: Students work in groups to solve a fictional career-based scenario using AI. Each group receives a challenge—diagnose a medical problem, design a product prototype, analyze a legal case, or create a marketing plan. Students then collaborate with AI to produce their best solution.

Objective: To practice critical thinking, teamwork, and responsible AI collaboration.

Materials:• Scenario cards or teacher-created prompts• AI tool for research, brainstorming, and planning• Paper or digital workspace

Instructions:

1. Divide students into small groups.

2. Assign each group one scenario tied to a real career.

3. Students brainstorm solutions without AI for 3 minutes.

4. Then they ask AI for ideas, guidance, and clarification.

5. Students combine their own reasoning with AI input to create a final solution.

6. Groups present how they used AI and what changes they made from its suggestions.

Learning Outcome:Students learn that AI is a support tool—not the sole problem-solver—and experience how professionals blend human judgment with AI insights.

Create an AI-Enhanced Career Portfolio – Recommended: Intermediate to Advanced Students

Activity Description: Students create a mini career portfolio showing how they would use AI if they worked in a chosen industry. They produce a sample project—an AI-generated artwork, a mock legal brief, a small business pitch deck, a medical case summary, or an engineering simulation report.

Objective:To help students build career awareness and learn how AI can enhance early professional skills.

Materials:• AI tools related to chosen field• Templates or guides (optional)• Presentation software or printed pages

Instructions:

1. Students choose a career they are interested in exploring.

2. They create three pieces of evidence showing how AI would support them:

   
   

   • A design (art, logo, blueprint, chart)

   
   

   • A written piece (analysis, summary, pitch, report)

   
   

   • A reflection explaining how AI helped

3. Students assemble everything into a simple portfolio.

4. Students present how AI tools will shape their chosen field in the future.

Learning Outcome: Students gain hands-on experience using AI to simulate real career tasks and develop a deeper understanding of how AI supports professional work.