> about this workshop
A field journal from a slightly weird, very practical AI workshop.
I'm Kelly Hodsdon. I build and test human-first, AI-enriched systems for real workflows. Less Miserable Tech is where I share the parts that actually helped.
the mission
Make useful technology fit the work.
Technology gets miserable when the tool becomes the project. This site starts earlier: the moment a person gets stuck, repeats a frustrating task, or has to carry too much context in their head.
The podcast and field notes show practical experiments in making work calmer and clearer. There will be AI here, but never as a substitute for understanding the person doing the work.
Most of this starts with a real person, a real workflow, and a moment where the software is technically working but the work still feels harder than it should.
working principles
The rules on the workshop wall.
These are the operating principles behind the field notes. The full version lives on the Principles page.
Read all seven principlesName the friction
If you cannot clearly name the friction, you are probably not ready to pick the tool.
Build the smallest useful fix
Make one meaningful part of the work easier before building a whole platform.
AI needs business context
Useful AI needs the work, the person, and the definition of success.
Hide the plumbing
The tool is not ready for normal people until the plumbing disappears.
follow along
Follow along
Pick the format that creates the least friction for you.