Using AI as Your Online Professor: Smarter Learning in the AI Era

If you’ve ever asked ChatGPT a question, you’ve probably gotten a decent answer. But the real power isn’t just in getting answers—it’s in how you ask questions.

Recently, I was trying to break down a technical concept: Qualified Business Income (QBI). I’ve read plenty of IRS summaries and CPA-written blogs. Most are either too simple or far too dense.

So I did something different.

I asked ChatGPT, “Explain QBI to me like I’m a 5th grader.”

Here’s what I got:

"Imagine you run a lemonade stand. After buying lemons, cups, and sugar, you made $100 in profit. Normally, you’d pay taxes on that full $100. But with QBI, the IRS lets you pretend you only made $80—because you get to deduct 20% of your profit before paying taxes. It’s a reward for running your own business."

Perfect.

Then I asked, “Now give me a version for a high schooler.”

“Let’s say you made $10,000 running your lawn-mowing business. After expenses, QBI might let you deduct $2,000 of that income—so you only pay taxes on $8,000. It’s a break for entrepreneurs.”

Finally, I asked for the adjult version, which included income thresholds, phase-outs, and strategic considerations.

Within minutes, I had three tiers of understanding on a complex topic—layered and tailored to how I like to learn.

Why This Matters

We’re in an era where the best “teacher” you need right now might now be in your pocket. Whether you're managing wealth, evaluating tax strategies, or just curious about how something works—AI can become your professor, not just your assistant.

Real Estate? Finance? Business Strategy?

Ask AI to explain:

• Cost segregation

• 1031 exchanges

• Portfolio diversification

• Cap rate vs. cash-on-cash return

• The pros and cons of bonus depreciation...in whatever tone or level you want.

You don’t have to be a CPA or financial planner to understand the basics. And understanding the basics is what helps you make great decisions—in business, investing, and real estate.

So, the next time you’re curious about something—even if it sounds complex—try asking ChatGPT (or Claude, or Gemini) to teach it to you like you’re 10 years old. Then 18. Then 40. You’ll be amazed how quickly clarity comes.

Final Thought: Knowledge is leverage. Use AI not just to do things for you, but to help you. AI is a tool to make businesses more efficient and lives run smoother. Many are fighting it, but just like the email, texting, and the internet, it's here to stay whether you like it or not, so we might as well figure out how to leverage it.