For years, I avoided driving on highways. The thought of merging into fast-moving traffic, navigating complex interchanges, and trusting my instincts at 70 mph was overwhelming. Instead, I stuck to familiar roads, going slower, staying safe but feeling restricted. Then, life nudged me out of my comfort zone, and I had no choice but to face this fear.

At first, it was terrifying. But with each drive, I realized something: it wasn’t just about the destination. Driving on highways opened up a new sense of freedom. I could go places I’d never been before. I started to feel less limited, not just physically but mentally. My thinking shifted. The world felt bigger, and so did my sense of what was possible.

It wasn’t until recently that I connected this experience to something else: my daily use of AI.

When I first started using AI tools like ChatGPT, I cautiously approached them. Would they feel overwhelmed? Could I trust them? But just like driving on highways, I kept experimenting, slowly building my confidence. And the result? AI didn’t just make my work faster or more efficient—it fundamentally changed my thinking.

Instead of focusing on how I’ve always done things, I asked, “What if?” What if I could streamline this task? What if I could test this idea? What if I approached this problem creatively instead of traditionally? AI shifted my mindset from looking at “what was” to imagining “what could be.”

It’s not about the small tasks—though AI certainly helps there. The fundamental transformation has been in how I approach my work and life. It’s a mindset of experimentation, possibility, and creativity.

I think back to my old self, avoiding highways and staying in my comfort zone. I didn’t realize how much I was limiting myself. Whether merging into traffic or diving into a new AI tool, I’ve learned to approach the unfamiliar with curiosity instead of fear.

The world feels bigger now, and my thinking feels more expansive. That’s the real power of both highways and AI—not just where they take you but how they change how you see what’s possible.

© 2025 Fauzia Burke. All rights reserved.