There's been a lot of talk about artificial intelligence this year, and not just because of people using AI tools to see what they'd look like as an astronaut. AI has been a major talking point in workplaces as well, with many companies looking for ways to adopt these tools—and employees worrying about whether they'll be replaced by robots.

In reality, there are plenty of great reasons to embrace artificial intelligence with open arms, even if you should still exercise some caution while doing so. 

1. AI Can Automate Boring Tasks

Whether at work or at home, our days are often filled with boring, repetitive tasks that are necessary but don't really require a lot of brain power. From inputting data at work to clipping coupons for your next grocery trip, these kinds of tasks are still important. But they're the kinds of things you wish you could pass off to someone else.

With AI, you can do exactly that. Many AI tools are specifically designed to automate repetitive tasks that don't require a ton of thought or consideration. That work gets done quickly and accurately, freeing up your time to focus on big-picture tasks—like figuring out how to use that data at work to improve your business results.

2. AI Can Help You Become More Creative

AI's potential in the creative fields has been one of the biggest trends of the year. While some of these applications have proven to be somewhat sketchy (like people pasting published books into AI platforms to "create" their own content), there is no denying that AI can be a powerful tool for creators.

For example, professional creators can use AI to generate concept art in a wide range of styles or for a variety of subjects. This can help them quickly evaluate different creative concepts and select the one with the best potential for their own work. AI can also be a powerful tool in areas like video editing, helping these processes become more efficient.

3. AI Can Improve Digital Security

We're more digitally connected than ever these days. With so much of our lives spent online—and so many activities dependent on our phones and tablets—the potential harmful impact of malware, phishing scams, and other types of cybercrime can be truly devastating. Once again, however, AI steps in with powerful potential solutions.

As Steven Price, founder, president, and CEO of Tech Rockstars, explains, "Digital security threats are constantly evolving. It can be hard to keep up with these threats and ensure that your devices and network are safe. But with AI tools, you have a resource that is monitoring for threats 24/7, implementing needed updates for your systems and software, and helping you develop a more proactive approach to digital security."

4. AI Can Help Us Unlock New Innovations

AI offers such a wide range of applications and opportunities for innovation—and this can have powerful outcomes for the world at large. From helping us identify data trends to predicting outcomes from different decisions, AI can unlock our potential for solving major global challenges.

AI is already providing assistance in everything from healthcare to fighting climate change. By using these tools to support and unleash the full potential of human thinking and ingenuity, AI can drive people in all industries to achieve better outcomes, helping them gain insights that might never have been possible otherwise.

5. AI Can Bridge Accessibility Gaps

One especially noteworthy way where AI can unlock new innovations is by bridging gaps in accessibility. AI tools can dramatically streamline actions that provide a more equitable experience, particularly in the digital space. For example, even something as simple as automatically (and accurately) transcribing live-streamed content to help individuals with hearing disabilities can help level the playing field for all.

Many of the most popular AI tools are also readily available to anyone who has access to the internet. While tech advances in the past usually had very limited availability, the widespread accessibility of many leading AI tools ensures that people of all backgrounds can use them to help unlock their full potential. Equitable availability of AI creates more opportunities for all.

And Finally, a Word of Caution ...

Not all uses of AI are created equal. How you choose to use AI today will ultimately be more important than whether you "embrace" it or not. After all, there's a big difference between using AI to waste time generating funny pictures of yourself and using it to improve your performance at work.

The best way to use AI is to learn more about its useful applications and how they can affect your career. This way, you'll be better equipped to identify and fill gaps in your own knowledge of AI and find ways you can use it to advance your career or improve your ability to take care of tasks outside of work.

So, really, this warning isn't about robots taking over the world. But if you want to ensure AI has a positive impact on your life, you need to think wisely about how you use it. Use it well, and there's no telling what you might be able to accomplish.