AI isn’t just ChatGPT and other myths we need to ditch

It’s tempting to think of AI as a giant digital encyclopaedia. Ask it a question, and it gives you an answer pulled from the internet. But that’s only part of the story.

While AI models like GPT are trained on massive datasets, they don’t store all that information like a database would. They learn patterns in language and behaviour and use that learning to generate responses or predictions in real time.

Here’s a simple analogy:

• A database stores and retrieves information.
• An AI model learns from data to make new, intelligent decisions or generate new content.

It’s the difference between pulling up a recipe card from a drawer vs. having a chef who can whip up something based on what you like, what ingredients you’ve got, and how adventurous you’re feeling.

This makes AI incredibly versatile for app developers. It can personalise user experiences, auto-complete data, make recommendations, and even help flag suspicious behaviour. But none of that would be possible with a static database alone.

It’s easy to conflate AI with ChatGPT. It’s become the poster child for artificial intelligence, and for good reason: it's easy to access, feels magical, and answers almost any question you throw at it.

But ChatGPT is just one example of generative AI, and that’s just one branch of a much wider tree.

Other types of AI include:

• Computer vision – used in healthcare to scan X-rays or in retail to track stock.
• Predictive analytics – used in finance to assess risk or in logistics to forecast delays.
• Recommendation engines – used in apps like Spotify, YouTube, and Amazon to serve up personalised content.
• Speech recognition – used by tools like Siri or Google Assistant to transcribe and respond to voice.

And guess what? Most of these tools are available to app developers through simple APIs, ready to be plugged into your product, just like you’d add payment functionality or analytics.

So if you’ve been assuming AI = ChatGPT = “fun but not useful for our business,” think again.

We hear this all the time. And it used to be true. Ten years ago, you probably did need a PhD, a cluster of GPUs, and a team of data scientists to train your own models from scratch.

But that’s changed. Today, many AI tools come pre-trained and available via API, meaning they’re plug-and-play for experienced app developers. You don’t need to build a model; you just use one.

This shift has made AI more accessible to small and mid-sized businesses.

And with services like OpenAI, Google Cloud’s Vertex AI, or AWS Bedrock, you can scale up or down based on your usage. That means AI is no longer reserved for those with enterprise-level budgets; it’s available to anyone building a modern app or platform.

At The Distance, we often recommend smart, low-effort AI integrations that solve specific problems, like summarising long-form content, flagging duplicate data entries, or supporting customer service teams with intelligent routing. Nothing flashy, just helpful.

This is probably the most persistent fear, and one we take seriously.

AI will change jobs. That’s a given. But change doesn’t equal replacement.

In our experience, AI takes on the repetitive tasks that people don’t want to do, freeing them up to focus on higher-value, more creative work. Developers use AI-assisted coding tools to speed up testing and documentation. Designers use it to create quick wireframes or get inspiration. Project managers use it to summarise meeting notes or map out user stories.

We’ve seen it firsthand: AI doesn’t replace skilled people. It amplifies them.

It's estimated that AI will create 69 million new jobs globally by 2027, even as it automates others.

That’s not a threat. It’s an opportunity, if we learn how to work with the tools, not against them.

This one’s especially common among non-techy founders or managers. They assume AI decisions sit firmly within the dev team and that if you’re not technical, you don’t need to worry about it.

But if you’re involved in shaping products or services, you do need a basic grasp of AI. Not how it works under the hood, but what it can (and can’t) do. What tools exist. Where it’s appropriate. What the risks are.

Understanding the landscape gives you confidence. Confidence to challenge a feature request. Confidence to ask for the right integrations. Confidence to future-proof your app decisions and stay ahead of competitors.

And that’s where a good app development agency comes in. At The Distance, we don’t expect our partners to become AI experts. That’s our job. But we do bring you into the conversation, guide you through the decision-making, and make sure AI is working for you, not just bolted on because it’s trendy.

AI is already here. Quietly embedded into your phone, your inbox, your shopping cart, your navigation app. It’s not some future tech, it’s a present-day tool.

And when it’s applied thoughtfully, especially by experienced app developers who understand your business, it can unlock brilliant efficiencies, help users do more, and make your app genuinely better.

Whether you’re looking to add AI features, enhance user experience, or explore what’s even possible, we’d love to help.

At The Distance, we’ll never overpromise or oversell. We’ll just help you explore your options, stay ahead of the curve, and make smart, future-focused decisions.

Let’s talk. No jargon. No fear. Just honest advice from real humans who happen to know a lot about apps.