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## Using AI Tools Safely and Efficiently

## What's an AI tool...

- mainly refers to the subfield of "generative AI", or "GenAI"
                      - chat platform is the most popular and well-known tool
                      - increasingly becoming orchestration platforms for AI agents
                      - plugins for non-AI applications, e.g. IDEs, browsers, ...

## ... and how does it work?

- two main parts

- model
                        - software infrastructure around it

- the model is "only" a next-token predictor
                      - [Deep Dive into LLMs like ChatGPT](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xTGNNLPyMI)
                      - the software infrastructure manages everything else
                      - in case of AI agents also known as "harness"

## Safety first

- the model on its own is "harmless"
                      - the more capabilities we add to it, the more "dangerous" it becomes
                        - chat UI enables harmful outputs
                        - editing files enables overwriting
                        - ...
                      - [lethal trifecta](https://simonwillison.net/2025/Jun/16/the-lethal-trifecta/)

## Don't take *my* word for it

> Nothing humbles you like telling your OpenClaw “confirm before acting”
                      > and watching it speedrun deleting your inbox.
                      > I couldn’t stop it from my phone. I had to RUN to my Mac mini like I
                      > was defusing a bomb. pic.twitter.com/XAxyRwPJ5R
                      >
                      > — Summer Yue (@summeryue0) February 23, 2026

![](./img/dog.jpg)

## Keep your <strike>dog</strike> AI leashed

- read the docs of any AI tool you use
                      - follow its updates
                      <br><br>➡️ **always** know what it can and can't do

- minimize tools
                      - require approval (⚠️ beware of approval fatigue ⚠️)
                      - if necessary, isolated environment
                      <br><br>➡️ limit the **blast radius**

## Using AI tools efficiently

- we're all trying to figure this one out
                      - no one-size-fits-all answer
                      - [work vs. gym](https://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2026/07/should-you-use-ai-for-a-task-heres-a-simple-way-to-decide.html)
                      - let's hear your thoughts

## Privacy-first AI providers

- [EPFL AI as a Service](https://chat.rcp.epfl.ch/)
                      - [Lumo](https://lumo.proton.me/guest)
                      - [Duck.ai](https://duck.ai/)

## Run models locally

(mostly macOS)

- [LM Studio](https://lmstudio.ai/)
                      - [Ollama](https://docs.ollama.com/)
                      - [Jan](https://www.jan.ai/)