# Principles for AI Use

These are the principles we strive to follow when learning and building with our thinking machines.

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## 1. Own your understanding.

Do not outsource learning to another human or agent. Unless _you_ understand it and can articulate it clearly, it will not materially impact your life or future work.

The work of understanding cannot be done on your behalf. It's similar to learning to play an instrument: you can't hire someone to learn piano for you.

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## 2. Machines are tools.

AI, LLMs, and other machines are not conscious or sentient; they are best thought of as "calculators for everything." They are useful utilities, not conscious entities.

Do not anthropomorphize AI!

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## 3. Put humans first.

Our work serves real human needs. We are not building tools for tools' sake.

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## 4. Use your own voice.

Don't let AI write, design, or think for you. Use your own words and voice. Writing is thinking. It's hard to care about things you didn't put your own voice into. We want to build things that we care about because that's how our best work happens.

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## 5. Know when to say enough.

AI will build and build and build ... you right into a corner. It's way too easy to slop up a project and almost impossible to de-slop it later without starting over. Focus on things that you actually need and will use.