AI gives you the ability to start improving things you care about

Until now, it seemed impossible to tackle something big you care about and make a difference.

But that’s changed!

You now have all the tools at your fingertips to plant a seed that, if nurtured, can grow into real positive change.

And it's all down to AI and a bunch of companion tools that are cheap to use.

If you're passionate about something and notice a flaw that needs fixing, you can take it upon yourself to address it. But first, what approach should you choose?

As a software engineer, I always recommend building systems that solve a specific problem. When your system is grounded in a solid foundation, follows best practices, and has the right governance, you’re on your way to creating something measurable that breaks free from the endless “let’s just talk about it” loop, which is a trap many people fall into.

Using AI and AI tools, you can create these systems and get people using them.

Social Issues People Care About

Let’s explore some major issues that many people in the UK would like to see addressed. Of course, you can create your own list based on your passions and decide whether you want to take action on them yourself.

• The NHS is widely seen as being in crisis, with every government vowing to fix it, yet waiting lists remain long. It feels like it’s been “in crisis” ever since the day it began.

• The housing market feels stuck! Renters can’t buy, buyers can’t move up, and it seems like every parent’s generation “had it easier.” Politicians promise hundreds of thousands of homes, but the numbers never quite add up.

• Potholes are driving people mad, councils point to budget woes, and the roads just keep deteriorating. Everyone agrees fixing them is a no-brainer across political divides, yet it still never gets done.

• Immigration is almost always among the top three issues in polls. Every government promises the numbers will drop, yet they usually don’t, and the same arguments resurface every few years.

• Cost of living in “rip-off Britain” feels like a running joke. Energy bills, food, water, broadband, insurance - the constant refrain of “why is everything so expensive here?” has become part of everyday life. Regulators are around, but somehow the bills just keep climbing.

• The trains - late, costly, cancelled, nationalised, privatised, renationalised, yet still late. Passengers grumble, fares climb, timetables stay the same.

• Sewage flows into rivers and the sea, sparking genuine outrage every summer. Water companies get fined, yet dividends keep being paid, and the sewage keeps being dumped.

• NHS dentists are hard to come by—everyone knows someone who can’t get one. Successive contracts have been called in “urgent need of reform,” and they truly do need it.

• The high street isn’t what it used to be. Once charming, it’s now mostly Greggs, vape shops, and charity stores. Councils worry, reports are churned out, and yet another Wilko shuts its doors.

• Crime, particularly the "low-level" tier that's basically been decriminalised in practice.

What you can do about it in the age of AI

If you are passionate enough about something that you want to improve, then you have a couple of options:

• Option 1 - Social Media: Most people use social media to share their perspective on how they would fix problems. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook let people voice their opinions on just about anything, with others free to agree or disagree. But does this really make a difference? Often, not so much; in many cases, it depends on who the driving forces are and what their agenda is! Viewer beware!

• Option 2 - Solutions built using AI: The new 2026 option is to actually build a solution that keeps things real and works towards solving a problem. Create something tangible, test quickly, refine, and adjust to stay in line with your roadmap. If it gains traction, then you are on to something. If it doesn't, then you need to find out why and fix it or stop!

Option 2 is set to grow 100x in the coming years because we are living in an age where even those with minimal experience can create and build a simple solution that attracts a following and generates modest revenue to support itself, which can then be used to bring in expertise and grow the idea into something fit for larger challenges.

For larger social issues there are three cross-cutting principles that anyone can start using:

• The best ideas are built on solid, indisputable data, and not opinions. For ages, campaigns have fallen apart over endless "he said, she said" debates, but data puts an end to that. Thanks to AI, collecting and processing it has never been cheaper or easier.

• The next best are those that handle tedious tasks for people at scale, like filling out forms, writing letters, or filing claims. If claiming £200 takes three hours, most people won’t bother. But if it takes just 30 seconds, everyone will, and the combined cost eventually drives change.

• The third most effective are those that make things visible, like dashboards, maps, or league tables. In Britain, reputation is the most affordable form of enforcement.

What am I doing already?

Yes, I’m already on it. As a test case, I’m developing an app for Colchester Pets and Animal Welfare. The aim is to create a small, revenue-generating app within a CIC to help fund local animal-related good causes. It’s just the beginning, with plenty more ideas in the pipeline. It should take around 50 hours to complete, and once done, it will hopefully bring real benefits to pets and animals in the Colchester area.

I've also created Colchester.Dev for people who want to talk about their ideas and create solutions from them - which can be profit-making to get rich, or solutions that benefit the local or global society.