Artificial intelligence is moving at a breathtaking pace. Every week seems to bring another “revolutionary” tool, another bold prediction, and another reason to wonder what’s actually worth your time.
That’s why I created Applied AI Review.
My goal is simple: test AI tools in the real world, explain them in plain English, and help everyday professionals, entrepreneurs, small business owners, and curious learners separate genuine value from marketing hype. I don’t believe you need to become a programmer or prompt engineer to benefit from AI. You just need honest information and practical guidance.
I don’t claim to have all the answers. AI is evolving too quickly for anyone to make that promise. What I can promise is that I’ll test the tools, question the claims, share what works, admit what doesn’t, and explain it all without the jargon.
That approach is rooted in a career spent helping people turn ideas into reality.
As Program Coordinator for Old Dominion University’s Institute for Innovation & Entrepreneurship, I worked with students, entrepreneurs, and founders to launch new ventures that generated more than $3 million in revenue while attracting over $5.3 million in investment. Before that, I spent decades in enterprise sales, government relations, higher education, and entrepreneurship, along with twelve years as a U.S. Navy Supply Corps officer. Across every role, I learned that new technology succeeds only when it solves real problems for real people.
Today, I’m “semi-retired,” which mostly means I get to spend my time exploring the intersection of technology and everyday life. You’ll usually find me testing AI platforms, writing reviews, comparing new tools, creating videos, or asking whether the latest breakthrough is genuinely useful—or simply the newest shiny object.
Life has also given me a different perspective. As the primary caregiver for my wife, Sondra, who is living with dementia, I’ve come to appreciate technology that makes life simpler rather than more complicated. AI isn’t interesting because it’s impressive. It’s interesting when it helps people save time, make better decisions, communicate more clearly, or regain a little breathing room in an increasingly busy world.
I live in Elkton, Virginia, where good conversations are still more valuable than viral posts, and where a cup of your favorite beverage remains one of the best productivity tools ever invented.
If you’re looking for hype, you’ll find plenty of it elsewhere. If you’re looking for honest reviews, practical advice, and thoughtful discussions about where AI is headed—and how it can actually help you—you’re in the right place.
Think of me as the guy willing to spend hours testing AI tools so you don’t have to.
I hope you’ll join me for the journey.
— Steve Goad