AI SPOTLIGHT STORY: SHEFFIELD STUDENT JERRY YAO ON LEARNING WITH AI

When Jerry Yao first encountered artificial intelligence, it wasn’t through textbooks or coding challenges, it was in the world of science fiction. “I’ve always been fascinated by AI in sci-fi movies,” he says. “How can a machine be like a human? Never would I have expected the advancements to be so quick.” 

Now studying Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence at The University of Sheffield, Jerry has taken that early fascination and turned it into a growing career path. Having lived on the Isle of Man since he was five, he’s proud to represent the Island’s emerging generation of tech talent. 

This summer, Jerry joined the Isle of Man Government’s Department of Transport as part of the STEP Programme, applying his AI knowledge to real-world projects. “It was a great opportunity to see how AI could be applied in a real-world setting,” he says. “I gained invaluable insights into the workings of government and got to put my AI experience into practice.” 

The power of multimodal AI 

One of the digital areas that excites Jerry most is multimodal AI, systems that can process and combine different kinds of information such as text, images, and videos. 

“Multimodal AI is an artificial intelligence system that can use multiple types of data, such as text, images, and videos,” he explains. “Numerous data sources enable the AI to gain a more comprehensive and accurate understanding of the task at hand, and it produces outputs in virtually any data type.” 

He compares it to the way humans perceive the world “It allows AI to gain a more complete view of the world, like humans with our five senses.” He gives a few examples that demonstrate both the fun and the functionality of this technology. “There was a viral trend where people used ChatGPT to turn themselves into Studio Ghibli-style characters. Behind the scenes, the AI combines image and text inputs to create something new—that’s multimodal AI in action.” 

But the practical benefits are even more powerful. “As a student, I can give the AI a photo of a receipt and ask it to convert it into a spreadsheet with formulas to split the bill accurately. That turns a ten-minute task into a one-minute prompt. For marketers, you could feed it brand guidelines, product photos, and target audiences, and it can generate campaign ideas, mock-ups, and even a content calendar.” 

He adds, “The more you give the AI, the more accurate its responses will be. It’s amazing to think how much potential this has for creative industries, education, and business.” 

For Jerry, AI has become an everyday assistant, especially in his studies “When I come across a term I don’t understand, I ask the chatbot to explain it to me like I’m a child,” he says. “It sounds silly, but it’s really effective because it breaks down complex ideas clearly. I also use it to summarise research papers so I can get a quick understanding before diving in properly.” 

This approach reflects the well-known Feynman Technique, where teaching or simplifying a topic leads to deeper understanding. “Breaking things down simply helps you truly understand them, and AI makes that process faster and clearer,” Jerry notes. He does, however, stress that AI should supplement, not replace, human effort. “AI is a fantastic tool that will save you loads of time, but it shouldn’t be your only source of truth.” 

Experimenting with AI tools 

Having tried a range of AI platforms, Jerry has developed a clear view of their strengths and weaknesses. “ChatGPT is great for writing, debugging code, or brainstorming ideas,” he says. “Gemini stands out for its live search capability, while Perplexity lets you combine different AI models for specific tasks. But they all share one weakness: sometimes they confidently give you the wrong answer, so it’s important to stay critical.” 

This practical understanding shows how he uses multiple systems to test, compare, and refine his own workflow, an approach that many professionals could learn from. 

Learn more about how AI can work for you

From watching fictional robots on screen to contributing to real-world AI projects on the Isle of Man, Jerry’s story is a reminder that the Island’s next generation isn’t just learning about digital innovation, they’re helping to shape it and so can you! There are various resources available on the Island to help individuals and businesses get started with AI. For more information visit: https://www.digitalisleofman.com/activate-ai/