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| I mowed my first lawn when I was nine years old. It probably wasn’t the safest or wisest decision, but my older brother – think Tom Sawyer with a dash of taskmaster – thought it was a brilliant way to free himself up for more “important” things. Armed with a 21-inch two-cycle Lawnboy that could mow over practically anything, I quickly learned the ropes. I remember crying once because the grass had grown too tall for me to push the mower forward—so my brother, ever resourceful, told me to pull it backward instead, since the rear wheels were bigger. Despite the lack of safety features and the occasional mishaps, I somehow made it to adulthood with all ten fingers and toes intact.
Fast forward to today, and I haven’t mowed a lawn in over twenty years, thanks to a yard full of landscaping. If I ever had to mow again, you can bet I’d have a robot mower doing the job. The novelty of those first few mows wears off quickly, especially when life gets busy. This brings me to Bosco, our robot vacuum cleaner. We inherited Bosco from our daughter, Rachel, who used it in her small Brooklyn apartment before she moved to Germany and couldn’t take it with her. At first, we were reluctant to foster parent this little gadget. Now Jane’s the first to remind me to run Bosco through the house. Each time I start him up, he gleefully chirps, “Yay, yay, yay, I’m going to start sweeping the floor,” in an animated child’s voice—in Chinese, if you believe Google Translate. With her asthma and our dog Charlie shedding more than usual due to chemotherapy, Bosco has become an indispensable part of our routine, transforming a once tedious chore into something effortless. So, why am I telling you all this? Because just like with lawn mowers and robot vacuums, embracing the right tools can make a world of difference. As you head into summer, juggling grading and the start of your research, and everything in between, consider how AI tools can help lighten the load. Tools like Consensus or SciSpace can turn a laborious lit review into something more manageable, even enjoyable. They can also summarize articles, generate outlines, find related work, and even help you brainstorm new research questions or structure your methodology—all of which can free up your time and energy to focus on the bigger picture. Sure, there might be a sentimental attachment to doing things the old-fashioned way, just like the first mow of the season. But as the summer drags on—the heat cranks up, the humidity thickens—those feelings tend to fade. Just like when the clock keeps ticking and your summer research competes with a mountain of other responsibilities, these tools offer a bit of relief—a way to reclaim time and energy you didn’t realize you were losing. So, take a page from Bosco’s playbook—embrace the help, and find a little more breathing room in your day. If you want to explore these tools further, join us at our upcoming event on Wednesday May 14th at the Center: A Day to Explore AI Together or catch a condensed version at the virtual GLCA talk this Friday May 9th at Noon. Let’s make this a season of working smarter, not harder. |