Being technology smart is relatively simple. It doesn’t require you to become versed in quantum computing and an expert in multiple LLMs (Large Language Models). It does, however, require common sense.
Common sense is the basic, practical judgment and understanding most people share for navigating everyday life, relying on shared knowledge, experience and intuition rather than specialized learning. – Gemini AI
By utilizing your common sense, you understand that technology continually changes. What may have been technology smart in 1996 no longer is in 2026. Most people have kept up with technology changes over the last 30 years because in a sense we are forced to.
There is no top 10 list or in-depth research to tell you how to keep yourself technology smart for the next 30 years, only ideas, personal experience and recovering from mistakes that help you navigate the uncharted territory.
First, you have to allow yourself to be somewhat curious and open-minded to what you may find interesting and useful. Although you may be afraid to try new things (and make mistakes), the more things you try, the more you understand how things work. The more you understand how the basis of technology works, the more you can use your intuition to apply that knowledge elsewhere.
Watching TV is far more complex now than it was in 1996. It also can be far more expensive. The abundance of what you can stream for free and on demand for a fee can be overwhelming. Free streaming apps continue to emerge with ever-expanding content: The Roku Channel, YouTube, Pluto TV, Tubi, Amazon Freevee, Sling Freestream, Xumo, Plex, Local Now, Crackle.
Once you understand that the apps on your smartphone work in a similar manner to the apps on your smart TV, this will open up a vastly expanded viewing experience to explore. For example, if you watch YouTube videos on your smartphone or tablet, you can watch those same videos and TV shows, news on your TV. You can either download the YouTube app directly to your TV or you can find what you want to watch on your phone, tap on the video and then the cast or streaming icon to project it onto your TV. 
This same technology is used in other apps like ESPN, Disney+. As of late 2025, Netflix has removed casting from mobile devices to TVs and requires you to download and install the app directly on your smart TV or streaming device like Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV.
If you are using Google to search for things or look things up, you are using Google’s Gemini AI and may not even realize it. Type a prompt into Google search, “how to download and use apps on smart tv”. An AI Overview will appear on most searches, sometimes below the sponsored content, that will summarize the steps but also provide the sources where Google Gemini found the information including videos, most of which are on YouTube.
Use those same types of prompts to explore other AI tools like ChatGPT, Perplexity and Claude. Learn how to write effective prompts and use the same prompts in different AI models to see how each respond. Some will be better depending on the topics you choose. Learn how to use your company AI tools that are being developed specifically for your field or industry keeping proprietary information private.
Even Alexa has entered the AI domain. Alexa Plus is a 2026 AI-powered, conversational and agentic upgrade for Amazon Echo devices and web browsers. For Prime users, it automatically downloads to your Amazon / Alexa devices. If you haven’t noticed, your Alexa has become increasingly more conversational when asked to do tasks like adding items to your shopping list.
During the holidays when we were adding many items to our shopping list, my husband was getting annoyed with Alexa’s responses. So, he asked Alexa to add 10 gallons of tequila to the shopping list. I burst out laughing as Alexa responded something like, “Wow! Sounds like you are planning a big party! What else can I add to your shopping list?” He responds, “Alexa, remove 10 gallons of tequila from the shopping list.” To which Alexa replies, Aww, you still can have fun. What else can I add?
Many users prefer the faster performance of the original Alexa instead of the more conversational approach. The Alexa app does keep track of your chats to which we have had so many that I can’t even find the tequila chat. Tap on the three lines at the bottom of the app and you will see Chats listed below Settings. You can turn Alexa Plus off by saying, “Alexa, turn off Alexa Plus.”
Alexa devices are “always listening” in that their microphones constantly scan for a specific wake word like “Alexa”, “Echo” or “Computer” to activate. They supposedly do not record or send audio to Amazon until this wake word is detected. However, they occasionally trigger accidentally, and I have recently noticed a higher sensitivity to “wake mode”.
If you work from home and have highly proprietary or information sensitive conversations with clients, colleagues or team members, I recommend unplugging Alexa while working. This segues into using common sense for all technology security.
If something doesn’t look real, it likely isn’t and has a high probability it was AI generated. AI generation has become increasingly real in a short amount of time. I watched an entire 20-minute YouTube video that had 3+ million views thinking it was real until I read the poster’s description revealing that all their videos were AI generated. Scammers will not be that honest and forthcoming.
You don’t need to analyze everything with the highest degree of critical thinking, but you do need to use common sense.
This applies to passwords which are evolving into passkeys and websites where you enter all your pii – personal identifiable information. I had to renew my Global Entry authorization this year and had to reenter my new address multiple times because the previous times didn’t take or didn’t appear right. I took the extra time to do it over before submitting it and it paid off, because I was approved the next day.
And if you don’t know but want to know, ask for help. I ask Google Gemini for help all the time. It has solved a lot of problems and made me aware of things I should know or reconsider. Although sometimes, you do have to ask real people for their help and experience because AI prompts can only take you so far and will never replace the authenticity of real interaction and advice.
Being technology smart isn’t keeping up with every latest innovation. It’s being aware and knowing enough to keep your everyday life running smoothly and out of harm’s way.
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Featured Image – An agave field where blue agave is grown for 5 – 8 years before it is distilled into tequila. Mexico circa 2010.
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