Seven Ways Artificial Intelligence Can Help You Manage ADHD
As companies invest more and more resources into developing artificial intelligence tools, the technology is becoming increasingly integrated into everyday life—at least potentially. Last year, Mashable looked at how people with ADHD could benefit from using artificial intelligence tools . This is a timely topic given that ADHD medications have been in short supply for the past few years , and I’d like to add some of my own perspective to the conversation since I, like up to 5% of American adults , struggle with this. ADHD symptoms.
But first: the most important advice for managing ADHD is to listen to your doctor. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is a medical condition, and treatment for ADHD usually includes medication and psychological counseling. Although artificial intelligence programs are not a replacement for Adderall, they can be effective in helping some people suffering from attention deficit disorder. Below are seven AI tips that can help you overcome task paralysis and other executive function problems that come with ADHD. (Bonus: Since many of the symptoms of ADHD are present in neurotypical people, although to a lesser extent, these organizational hacks work for normal people too.)
Use AI to estimate how long a task will take to complete
This is very important to me. Like many people with ADHD, I often find it difficult to start doing something unless I know how long it will take to complete each step. Even though I know I can estimate the turnaround time on my own, I ask the AI assistant something like, “How long will it take to change my oil?” helps. By outsourcing the preliminary mental task of “figure out how long it will take”, I can better mentally fit the actual task into my day. Otherwise it will remain an abstract “what I know I should do” that is often neglected.
Use AI to write first drafts of emails and other communications.
Even though I write professionally, sometimes I get caught up in the correspondence. It’s usually the most mundane messages that confuse me the most—thank you notes, simple requests. If AI takes the first step, it will really help. Using AI to manage your email allows you to describe the message you want to send in just general terms. The AI then delivers the text, eliminating the hassle of looking at a blank page. I usually have to rewrite the entire AI message, so I’m not sure it saves time, but starting something is usually more difficult for me, and the message is easier to edit than to create.
Use AI to create better to-do lists
Anyone who wants to better manage their time is encouraged to make lists, but if you have ADHD, you may become paralyzed by the act of making lists, asking yourself, “How do I prioritize tasks?” or “How do I know what I need to include on this list?” AI can help you by instantly providing as many sample lists as you can imagine, and also help you organize your list in different ways until you find the one that’s right for you.
Use AI to repeatedly explain things
Having ADHD can make it difficult to learn new things, and even the most patient teacher will eventually get tired of explaining a concept over and over again. But AI doesn’t do that. You can ask him to tell you the same thing in as many different ways as possible until he gets it. Warning: Current consumer AI technology does not always provide accurate information , so be sure to manually verify all factual data. against another source.
Use AI to synthesize information in different ways
You can use artificial intelligence to break down information in a way that makes it more palatable to you, whether that’s turning a long article into digestible bullet points or asking for more information on a topic. Again, this information may not be 100% accurate, but it can give you a starting point for further research.
Use AI to organize your personal relationships
This has complex moral and/or ethical implications, but you can also use AI to take on some of the responsibility for keeping in touch with friends and family. This is a common problem for people with ADHD, who often don’t respond to text messages or emails for the same reason they don’t pay their light bills.
You can already set regular reminders to “text mom,” but AI allows you to do more. I spoke with Daniel (he asked me not to use his last name) about how CommuniqAI , the communications scheduling app he created, can automate your social life. The platform uses artificial intelligence chatbots to “look at your conversations with friends, family and business contacts, and then usually come up with something you can quickly say to those people,” Daniel said.
I asked if it was possible to completely automate my online social life by simply telling the AI: “Keep a friendly relationship with my squash partner Gary, without my input.” According to Daniel, CommuniqAI (and presumably other AI tools) can be used in this way, although he doesn’t recommend it. It is designed to either remind you to send the message or compose it so you can approve and send it. But according to Daniel, the user can disable this feature and it will “continue to work on your behalf.”
“But these are people you value [and] trust, and I’m not sure you want AI to respond entirely on your behalf without any prior knowledge from you,” he said.
I agree: it’s disturbing. But I don’t judge. If you think it will help, give it a try – or just use the AI to remind you to text your dad from time to time.
Use AI to break complex tasks into small, manageable steps.
For many people with ADHD, completing larger, longer-term projects or multi-step tasks may be difficult or impossible. Often this task paralysis occurs because we don’t know where to start : if there is any confusion or ambiguity about the first step, it can lead to complete inaction, a feeling of “I can’t even think about this huge thing.” The AI is great at helping you overcome this obstacle if you use it correctly: it usually offers very general advice at first, but its endless patience allows you to eventually achieve better answers.
For example, I asked an AI chatbot to tell me how to buy a house. My tip:
I would like to buy a house. Break the process down into very small steps, focusing on specific actions, and estimate how long it will take to complete each element.
His initial response was less than helpful. It presented a list of ten broad steps. Step one was:
Determine your budget: Figure out how much you can afford to spend on a home based on your income, debts and expenses. Approximate time: 1-2 weeks.
Certainly. I’ll just “set my budget.”
I asked him to explain exactly how to do this, and it all started with:
Gather all necessary financial documents.
Still not good enough. I asked what financial documents to start with and how to get them, and in the end I came up with the following:
Contact your employer’s human resources department. Your employer’s human resources department will be able to provide you with copies of your pay stubs.
It took some time, but “getting your pay stubs” is a good and effective first step. The next step might be, “Write an email to my HR department asking for my pay stubs,” and you’ll be off on your home buying adventure.
This step-by-step approach seems like something that people without ADHD can easily do (I don’t know), and such requests to “break this down even more for me” are something that people with flesh-and-blood intellects will get annoyed with. j. Luckily, the AI doesn’t judge you. And no one should judge you for using artificial intelligence to combat ADHD.