From 'WTF?!' to 'fixed it': Point. Ask. Fixed (all thanks to AI)

Welcome to Prompt, Tinker, Innovate—my AI playground. Each edition gives you a hands-on experiment that shows how AI can sharpen your thinking, streamline your process, and power up your creative work.

This week’s playground: From text to video—using AI's senses to solve your real-world problems

We’ve all been there. That frustrating moment that stops you cold. Your Mac stubbornly opens the wrong email app for the tenth time. A cryptic error message flashes on your screen, killing your workflow. Or that gut-sinking realization when the shower runs ice-cold, that the water heater is out.

These aren't big problems, but they are momentum killers. They break your focus and send you down a rabbit hole of forum searches and outdated manuals. What if you could solve them in 30 seconds?

Your AI experiment: The universal troubleshooter

👉 Time to tinker: Modern AI isn't just a chatbot; it's a multi-talented partner that can hear your problem or watch over your shoulder to get you the help you need. Let's explore three ways to get the help you need, from a simple text query to a full, hands-free video walkthrough.

Option 1: The conversational fix

Sometimes, the problem isn't a visual error but a frustrating process. For these, you don't need an image—you just need clear, expert instructions.

• The scenario: Your computer has a mind of its own, and a simple action has the wrong result. (And yes, this one hits a little too close to home for this Mac user.)

• The method: Just describe the problem in plain English, as if you were messaging a tech-savvy friend.

📝 Prompt: "Every time I click on an email link on my Mac, it opens the Apple Mail app, but I only use Gmail in my web browser. I can't find the setting to change this. Please give me the exact, step-by-step instructions to make Chrome handle all email links."

Option 2: The screenshot + question

This is your go-to for any visual problem on a screen. When you're faced with an error message or a confusing interface, a picture is worth a thousand words.

• The scenario: You’re working on a project and a sudden error message pops up, full of technical jargon.

• The method: Take a screenshot. Upload it to your AI app (like Gemini or ChatGPT) and add a simple text description of what you were doing.

📝 Prompt: "I was trying to export a large video file from my editing software and got this error message. I've already tried restarting the app. What does this error mean, and what are my next steps to fix it?" (Upload a screenshot of the system error)

Option 3: The live video walkthrough

This is the holy grail—your hands-free, on-call expert. Using your phone's camera and microphone, the AI can see what you see and talk you through a physical task in real time.

• The Scenario: Your water heater is on the fritz, and the thought of deciphering a dusty manual or calling a plumber for something simple is daunting.

• The Method: Open an AI app that supports live video interaction. Start a conversation with your voice and point your camera at the problem.

🗣️Voice prompt: "Okay, I'm in my garage looking at my water heater. I think the pilot light is out. Can you see this control panel? Talk me through how to safely get this thing working again. What's the very first thing I should check or do?"

What did you fix?

This week, make AI your first line of defense. Don’t Google. Don’t text a friend. Give AI 2 minutes to fix it—then see how much time (and sanity) you get back.