I Was Controlled by AI for a Day

Back in December, I did a little experiment I called “A Day of Living with AI.” 

The goal was to see what would happen if I let Google Gemini make my decisions for me throughout a typical day.

Here’s the full story of how the morning went.

Gemini’s Plan

To start, I gave Gemini a simple prompt to outline the day.

“Hello I’m starting a project where I use AI for as many daily activities as possible. Can you create a list of activities you can help with throughout the day and list them in chronological order from the start of the day to the end of the day.”

Here’s what it gave me back. 

Morning

Wake-up & Motivation: I can create a personalized wake-up routine with your favorite music or sounds, and even provide you with motivational quotes or affirmations to start your day positively. 

News & Information: I can provide you with a curated news summary based on your interests, including local weather, top headlines, and developments in specific areas like technology or business. 

Breakfast & Meal Planning: Based on your dietary preferences and restrictions, I can suggest breakfast recipes, generate a meal plan for the day, and even create a grocery list. 

Commute & Travel: I can provide real-time traffic updates, suggest the fastest routes, and even offer alternative modes of transportation.

Daytime 

Work & Productivity: I can help you create to-do lists, prioritize tasks, set reminders, and even draft emails or documents.

Learning & Skill Development: I can provide summaries of books and articles, answer your questions, and even tutor you in various subjects. 

Communication & Scheduling: I can help you schedule meetings, send messages, and manage your calendar.

Evening 

Entertainment & Relaxation: I can recommend movies, TV shows, music, and books based on your preferences. 

Health & Wellness: I can guide you through meditation exercises, provide sleep sounds, and track your fitness goals.

Night

Home Automation: I can adjust the thermostat, turn off the lights, and even control your appliances through voice commands.

Sleep & Dream Tracking: I can play soothing sleep sounds, monitor your sleep quality, and provide insights into your sleep patterns.

I’m excited to see how you integrate me into your daily routine!

This seemed like a comprehensive and ambitious plan. I was excited and a little nervous to see how an AI could weave itself so deeply into my daily life, but I was ready to dive in. 

Brushing My Teeth

First thing in the morning, I decided to see if AI could even improve my most basic routines. I snapped a picture of my teeth and prompted Gemini.

“Based on this picture of my teeth, how can I improve my brushing? Please list 3 actions or areas to focus on that I might be overlooking.”

I was genuinely impressed by the detailed observations from just a single photo. It was a solid reminder to pay more attention to the basics that are easy to overlook.

Here’s what it gave me back. 

It’s great you’re taking a proactive approach to your oral health! While I can’t give medical advice, here are 3 things you can focus on based on the picture, keeping in mind that I’m an Al and not a dentist:

  1. Gumline Attention: It appears there might be some slight redness along the gumline in a few areas. This could indicate inflammation. Make sure you’re angling your toothbrush at 45 degrees towards the gumline and gently massaging that area to remove plaque and debris. 
  2. Back of the Mouth: It’s common for people to focus on the front teeth that they see easily. Pay close attention to your molars (back teeth) and make sure you’re reaching all the surfaces, including the insides, outsides, and chewing surfaces.
  3. Tongue Cleaning: Don’t forget to brush your tongue! Bacteria can build up there and contribute to bad breath.

Important Note: For personalized advice, it’s always best to consult with a dental professional. They can give you a proper assessment and recommend specific techniques or products for your needs.

Getting Dressed

Next up was choosing an outfit.

My closet is a bit chaotic, so I was curious to see what Gemini could piece together for a “business casual” day.

“I have meetings and need a business casual outfit. Can you choose pants, shirt, and shoes from this closet photo?”

This first suggestion was a good start, but a bit vague. I had to ask for more clarification to pinpoint the exact items it meant.

But here’s what it gave me. 

Okay, let’s get you dressed! Based on what I see in your closet, here’s a business casual outfit suggestion:

  • Pants: The dark-wash jeans on the top shelf. 
  • Shirt: One of the lighter blue button-down shirts with a subtle pattern. 
  • Shoes: The brown leather loafers.

Important Note: Make sure the clothes are clean, ironed, and fit you well. A well-fitting outfit always looks more polished and professional.

Here’s my second try to get a more detailed response. 

“Can you be more specific about which pair of pants and which shirt and which loafers”

Here’s what it gave me back. 

You got it! It’s tricky to be super precise from a photo, but I’ll do my best to guide you to the specific items I had in mind:

  • Pants: On the top shelf, slightly to the left of the center, there’s a pair of dark wash jeans folded with a slight fade. Those are the ones!
  • Shirt: Look for a light blue button-down with a small, repeating pattern. It’s hanging towards the right side of the closet… That one will provide some visual interest without being too loud. 
  • Shoes: At the bottom of the closet, there’s a pair of brown leather loafers that appear to be a classic style. They’re positioned near the center, close to the blue shoebox.

I still wasn’t happy with what it gave back, so I had it suggest another outfit for me. 

“Can you suggest one other outfit”

This second outfit suggestion was a great alternative, offering a more relaxed yet still professional look. It was interesting to see how the AI could create different styles from the same wardrobe.

Here’s what Gemini said. 

Okay, let’s explore another option from your closet! This one will have a slightly more relaxed vibe while still being appropriate for a business casual environment:

  • Pants: The chinos. I can see a few pairs on the top shelf…Choose a pair that isn’t too wrinkled and fits well. 
  • Shirt: A solid-colored polo shirt. Opt for a classic color like navy, white, or black. 
  • Shoes: The brown leather boat shoes or driving moccasins. These are a comfortable and stylish alternative to loafers, and they work well with chinos.

Making Breakfast

With my outfit sorted, it was time for breakfast. I sent Gemini a picture of my fridge.

“I need to eat breakfast. Based on the items in my refrigerator can you please suggest a quick breakfast with minimal cleanup”

Here’s what it gave me back. 

Alright, let’s whip up a quick and easy breakfast with minimal cleanup! Based on what I see in your fridge, here’s a suggestion:

Yogurt Parfait:

Ingredients: 

  1. Yogurt (plain or flavored) – I see a few containers on the top shelf! 
  2. Granola – You’ve got a box of granola on the shelf above the yogurt. 
  3. Fruit – There are some berries in the crisper drawer…

Why this is perfect for your AI-powered morning: 

  • Speed: This takes just a couple of minutes to assemble. 
  • Minimal Cleanup: One bowl (or no bowl!), and a spoon. 
  • Healthy & Customizable: Yogurt provides protein and calcium, granola adds fiber, and fruit gives you vitamins.

A yogurt parfait was a simple but smart suggestion. However, looking at the fruit in the drawer, I wasn’t sure if the berries were still fresh enough to eat.

Here’s what I asked. 

“Great idea! I’m not sure if the berries are still ok to eat. What do you think?”

And this was the response. 

You’re right to be cautious! Berries can be delicate. Here’s how to check if those raspberries are still good to eat:

The Eye Test:

  • Mold: Any fuzzy white, green, or grey spots are a clear sign of mold. 
  • Color: Fresh raspberries should have a vibrant red color. If they look dull, darkened, or have any mushy spots, they’re past their prime. 
  • Texture: They should be plump and firm.

The Smell Test: If you detect a sour, fermented, or off-putting smell, they’ve probably gone bad.

I wasn’t satisfied. I wanted it to just tell me based off of the picture I sent. So here’s what I said. 

“Can you tell me based on the picture if the berries are ok to eat”

And here’s what it gave me back.

It’s tough to give a definitive answer from just a photo, but I can try my best based on what I see!

  • Color: They seem to have a deep red color, which is a good sign. However, some look a bit darker, which could indicate they’re starting to overripen.
  •  Mold: I don’t see any obvious signs of mold, which is great.

Overall: I’d say they’re borderline. They might be perfectly fine to eat, but there’s a chance they could be starting to go bad. 

Here’s what I recommend:

  1. Smell them: This is the best way to tell for sure.
  2. Taste test: If they smell okay, try one! If it tastes good, the rest are probably fine.

The AI’s cautious and detailed analysis of the berries was surprisingly thorough. It felt like having a very logical and observant friend in the kitchen with me.

Conclusion

Letting an AI guide my day was an eye-opening experiment. 

Here are five key things I learned:

  • AI can offer detailed advice from just a photo.
  • Specific results often required follow-up questions.
  • It can generate multiple creative options for one problem.
  • AI makes smart, practical suggestions for daily tasks.
  • It approaches safety-sensitive topics with caution.

From detailed hygiene tips to fashion advice and food safety, Gemini was able to assist in practical and surprising ways. 

Overall, the experience was impressive.

What parts of your day would you hand over to an AI?