How to Use AI to Learn Anything Faster 🚀

There was a time when if you wanted to master something new, you had to spend years in formal study or search endlessly for the right teachers. But today, we live in a different world. With AI, you can learn anything faster—if you know how to use it properly.

Let me share a story.

A friend of mine once told me he wanted to learn public speaking. He had no background, no training, and very little confidence. Normally, this would take months of practice and expensive courses. Instead, he opened ChatGPT and asked:

👉 “Give me a 20-hour plan to become confident in public speaking. Break it into 10 sessions and add a 15-minute review at the end of each.”

In less than five minutes, he had a structured roadmap. Over the next three weeks, he followed it. He asked AI to create cheat sheets of techniques, role-played speeches with it, and even requested it to act as an “audience member” to ask tough questions. After 20 hours, he stood on stage and delivered a speech he was proud of.

That’s the power of AI—not to replace human effort, but to accelerate your growth.

The 6 Steps to Learn Anything with AI

Here’s how you can replicate the same magic:

Learn Anything in 20 Hours
Don’t aim for perfection, aim for progress. Ask AI to design a plan around the 20% of knowledge that drives 80% of results.

📖 The Prophet ﷺ said: “The most beloved deeds to Allah are those that are consistent, even if small.” (Bukhari, Muslim)
Learning in small, consistent steps is not only effective, it’s Sunnah.
Create a One-Page Cheat Sheet
Once, when I was trying to understand blockchain, I asked AI to summarize the entire concept in one page with diagrams and analogies. In 10 minutes, what used to confuse me for months finally clicked.
Explain Like I’m 5
AI can break down complex topics into simple analogies. If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it deeply.

The Prophet ﷺ often explained deep truths with relatable analogies, such as:
“The example of a good companion and a bad companion is like that of the seller of musk and the blower of bellows...” (Bukhari, Muslim)
Build a Learning Ladder
Break any subject into levels—beginner to expert. Think of it like climbing stairs. Every step brings you closer to mastery.
Find the Best Resources
Instead of wasting hours searching, AI can curate the best books, courses, or videos—explaining why each is worth your time.
Use the Feynman Technique
Teach back what you’ve learned to AI. It will highlight gaps and help you refine until you can explain it clearly.

The PIDO Framework: Smarter Prompting ✨

In my book Work Smarter Not Harder, I introduced the PIDO framework, a simple way to craft powerful prompts:

P = Parameter → Define the context or scope (e.g., “Act as a lawyer” or “Summarize for beginners”).
I = Instruction → Tell AI what you want it to do (e.g., “Write me a 20-hour study plan”).
D = Detail → Add specifics that guide the answer (e.g., “Break it into 10 sessions with reviews”).
O = Output → Clarify the format you want (e.g., “Table format with examples”).

This transforms AI from a generic tool into a personalized mentor.

Visual PIDO: The Next Level 🖊️

But I realized something even more powerful: before prompting, you need to think and visualize. That’s why I developed Visual PIDO:

👉 Think – Draw – Parameter – Instruction – Detail – Output

When you can visualize your ideas, sketch them, and then craft prompts with clear parameters, the results are extraordinary.

For example, when I train teachers in Visual Teachers, I encourage them to sketch their lesson plans first. Only then do they apply PIDO to refine with AI. The outcome? More engaging lessons that connect with students instantly.

Knowledge in Islam: A Timeless Pursuit 📚

Islam has always elevated the pursuit of knowledge.

Allah says:
📖 “Say, ‘Are those who know equal to those who do not know?’” (Surah Az-Zumar 39:9)

The Prophet ﷺ also said:
🤲 “When a man dies, all his deeds come to an end except three: ongoing charity, beneficial knowledge, or a righteous child who prays for him.” (Muslim)

Notice—beneficial knowledge is one of the things that never stops rewarding us, even after death.

So when we use AI to accelerate learning, teach others, and share wisdom, we’re not just improving skills—we’re creating sadaqah jariyah (continuous charity).

What Do You Want to Learn Today? 🌍

Do you want to pick up a new skill? Master a subject? Or finally dive into something you’ve been putting off?

The opportunity is here. The tools are in your hands.

💡 Think.
✍️ Draw.
⚙️ Parameter.
📝 Instruction.
🔎 Detail.
📊 Output.

That’s the power of Visual PIDO.

✅ Call to Action:
If this inspired you, share it with someone who needs a reminder that learning is always possible. Let’s build a generation of creators, not just consumers. 🌱

#WorkSmarterNotHarder #VisualPIDO #LearnWithAI #ContinuousLearning #YayasanWibaPrima

📸 Credit: Image from Colby Kultgen | percentbetter.com

Amirul's Scribe

Wednesday, August 27, 2025