Putting Your Foot In It – The Evolving Relationship Between Humans and Technology

It started with a simple question: "Take a look at this picture of my running shoe soles and analyze my running shoe wear?" A question that might have once required consulting a coach or podiatrist now thrown to a LLM. This simple act of turning to technology reflects something much deeper—the subtle ways technology integrates into our daily lives, even as we sometimes forget it’s there to help.

The irony is that even those of us deeply embedded in tech ecosystems often neglect to fully utilize the tools we have. Mary —a Prifina personal AI Twin Owner —reminded me of this. She’s adapted her habits to better leverage her AI, and yet she still finds herself needing to consciously remind herself to use it. It’s a shared experience: learning to consistently integrate technology requires effort, even for those familiar with it.

I uploaded an image of the worn soles of my running shoes to the AI, just to be reminded of this directly. What I received in return wasn’t just an analysis of wear patterns but actionable insights—details about my gait, cadence, and how to rotate shoes to prevent future injuries. While I'm highly critical of taking outputs as truth, it was a reminder of just how much potential these tools hold when we actively incorporate them into our routines.

And in our messy every day lives, outputs don't always need to be 100% accurate to be practically helpful. (This discussion will not include where 100% accuracy is mission critical.)

Here’s what an LLM sees when looking at these soles

Me: These are the soles of my running shoes, which I’ve trained roughly 4 months with. Take a look at the wear on the bottoms and tell me what you see.

LLM: Looking at the wear pattern on your running shoes:

1. Heel Wear: There is visible wear on the outer edges of the heel, particularly on both shoes, which suggests a heel-strike running pattern. This means your gait likely starts with the heel making contact first.
2. Forefoot Wear: The wear on the forefoot, especially under the balls of your feet, indicates significant push-off pressure in this area. This is typical for runners who toe-off from the front of their feet during propulsion.
3. Asymmetry: There seems to be slightly more wear on one side (possibly the right foot), which could suggest a slight imbalance in your stride or body mechanics.
4. Midsole: The midsection shows limited wear, suggesting a neutral arch or minimal pronation/supination. However, it could also indicate that your shoes are well-suited for your foot type.

Recommendations:

• Evaluate Shoe Condition: The soles still seem intact, but if you feel reduced cushioning or discomfort, it might be time to replace them, especially if you’ve put 300–500 miles on them.
• Check Your Gait: If possible, have a gait analysis done to see if any alignment issues could benefit from specific shoe features or orthotics.
• Rotate Shoes: To extend their life and provide varied support, consider alternating with another pair of running shoes.

Me: Can you attempt a gait analysis based on the tear on the shoes?

LLM: Based on the wear pattern on the soles of your running shoes, here's a breakdown of what your gait might look like:

1. Heel Strike:

• Observation: The outer edges of the heels show noticeable wear. This suggests that you initiate contact with the ground using your heels, which is typical for many runners.
• Conclusion: You have a heel-strike gait, meaning your heel touches the ground first before rolling forward.

2. Supination (Underpronation):

• Observation: The wear is concentrated along the outer edges of both the heel and the forefoot. There's limited wear on the inner edges of the shoes.
• Conclusion: This pattern is indicative of supination (or underpronation). Supinators tend to land on the outer edge of the foot and may not roll inward enough during the stride. This places more pressure on the outer edge of the shoe.

3. Toe-Off and Forefoot Engagement:

• Observation: Significant wear is present in the forefoot area, especially under the big toe and ball of the foot.
• Conclusion: Your propulsion phase (toe-off) relies heavily on the forefoot, which is common for runners with a powerful push-off. This aligns with a natural or supinated gait.

4. Asymmetry:

• Observation: Slightly more wear on one shoe (likely your dominant side). This suggests that one foot may be compensating more during your stride, possibly due to minor imbalances in strength or flexibility.
• Conclusion: A minor asymmetry in your stride could be present. It might not be a significant issue unless you're experiencing discomfort or recurring injuries.

What This Means for Your Gait:

• Gait Type: Heel-strike with supination.
• Key Characteristics:

Potential Implications:

• Risk Factors: Supinators are at higher risk for certain injuries like shin splints, ankle strains, or IT band syndrome, as the outer edge of the foot absorbs most of the impact.

Let's Pause There

It then went on to sell me shoes, which is a different commentary on the LLM business models. I did actually buy a pair of shoes from the list, so that tells you something else too…?

The Education Gap and AI Literacy

This leads us to a key challenge: the education gap surrounding AI. It’s not just a lack of technical knowledge; it’s a broader issue of mindset. Many of us—even the tech-savvy nerds—approach AI as something we use only occasionally, rather than as an integrated part of our routines. Even experts can forget that AI isn’t just a tool for quick answers but a system designed to enhance decision-making, reveal patterns, and support long-term thinking.

For AI Twin owners like Mary, this learning curve has been part of her journey. Over time, she’s upgraded her habits and shifted her perspective on how to collaborate with her AI twin. Her experience highlights the need for all of us to become more intentional about how we incorporate AI into our lives. Much like learning a new language, becoming AI-literate takes practice and awareness.

What It Means to Be Human

The relationship between humans and technology evolves with each new innovation. Technologies like fire, the printing press, and the internet didn’t just change what we could do—they changed how we lived and understood ourselves. AI is no different. It’s reshaping what it means to solve problems, connect with others, and even reflect on our own identities.

Take something as mundane as analyzing running shoe wear. What seemed like a small use case turned into an exploration of my gait, cadence, and training efficiency. The insights weren’t just practical; they changed how I approached my athletic performance. Mary’s experience mirrored mine in a different context. Her AI twin helped her rethink how she structured her day-to-day activities, offering new ways to streamline her decisions.

This is what integration looks like. It’s not about replacing effort but about enhancing it. It’s about viewing technology not as separate from us but as a natural extension of how we engage with the world.

The Challenge of Integration

The challenge isn’t just technical; it’s behavioral. Learning to trust and depend on AI requires a shift in habits and thinking. My own journey shows that even those who’ve worked with AI for years still face moments of hesitation or forgetfulness. The tools are here, but they require us to actively weave them into our daily lives.

This is where intentionality comes in. Integration isn’t automatic. It’s about recognizing the gaps in our habits and making deliberate changes to close them. It’s also about creating systems and routines that encourage regular interaction with AI, so it becomes as natural as checking your calendar or sending an email.

Looking Ahead

As AI continues to evolve, it will redefine more than just how we solve problems; it will shape how we think, learn, and grow. The next step isn’t just about smarter tools—it’s about smarter partnerships.?

The story of humans and AI is well underway, but we need to be active participants. Each of us has a role to play in shaping how these tools integrate into our lives. It starts with small steps: remembering the tools are there, using them, and building a mindset that sees technology not as separate but as part of our toolkit. The question isn’t whether technology will change us—it already has. The real question is how we choose to shape that change.

Don’t get left behind.?