It feels like not that long ago someone in Lubbock casually said, “I just asked ChatGPT,” and half the room nodded while the other half wondered if that was yet another new fast-food place on Slide.
Fast forward to now, and A.I. isn’t some tech-world novelty anymore–it’s part of daily life, even here in West Texas.
According to a new report, more than 60% of American adults used a dedicated A.I. platform last year. And yes, that absolutely includes people right here in Lubbock.
Lubbock Is Using A.I. More Than You Think
If you’re imagining A.I. users as Silicon Valley coders glued to six monitors, think again.
In Lubbock, A.I. is showing up in everyday ways:
Someone using it to plan a road trip out of town
A Texas Tech student polishing a résumé
A homeowner trying to figure out how to fix something without calling a pro
A parent researching the “best” anything before buying it
Even I used it the other day for a Beef Bourguignon recipe (it was VERY good, by the way!)
Among Gen Z and other heavy users, more than one-third say they go to A.I. first when starting personal tasks. Not Google. Not friends. Not Facebook comments. A.I.
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And even if you’ve never typed a single prompt yourself, you’ve still interacted with it. It’s baked into searches, apps, customer service chats, and recommendation systems you probably use without thinking about it.
Why A.I. Is Catching On in West Texas
Part of the appeal in Lubbock is simple: efficiency.
People here are busy. Between work, family, school events, and trying to beat traffic on Marsha Sharp, anything that saves time wins. A.I. doesn’t judge, doesn’t get tired, and doesn’t mind answering the same question five different ways.
For a lot of folks, it’s less about “technology” and more about getting things done faster.
The Unexpected Side Effect: Going Old School
Here’s where it gets interesting.
While A.I. use is climbing, there’s also a quiet backlash happening–even in Lubbock. Analog lifestyles, sometimes called “grandma hobbies,” are trending.
We’re talking about:
It’s almost like the more digital life gets, the more people crave something physical and slow. High-tech on one side, low-tech comfort on the other.
Heads Up, Lubbock: A.I. Ads Are Coming
One last thing to know: if you’re using free or lower-cost A.I. tools, expect changes.
OpenAI has announced that some versions of ChatGPT will soon include advertisements, especially on free and cheaper tiers. The company insists ads won’t influence answers–which, sure, sounds reassuring on paper.
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Whether that stays true is something users will be watching closely.
The Bottom Line for Lubbock
A.I. isn’t coming to Lubbock–it already arrived.
Some people are all-in. Others are cautious. And plenty are using it without even realizing it. But one thing’s clear: how Lubbock works, learns, shops, and plans is already being shaped by A.I., whether we’re ready to admit it or not.
And if nothing else, it explains why someone in your life suddenly knows way too much about everything.
What areas of construction in Lubbock are currently driving you INSANE?!?
Gallery Credit: Landon King
Where’s your favorite place to get BBQ in West Texas?
Gallery Credit: Landon King