AI is everywhere these days – in your search results, your apps, and even your workplace. But for many people, it still feels overwhelming. Where do you start? How do you use it effectively? And which tools are worth your time?
Let’s cut through the noise. AI isn’t going anywhere, so here’s what you need to know to get started—plus 10 simple prompts to help you get real value from it today.
First, Pick Your AI Tool
You don’t need to try everything at once. Start with one of these reliable options:
✔ ChatGPT – My personal go-to. Great for brainstorming, editing, and answering questions. Free tier available.
✔ Perplexity – Perfect for deep research (think: “Explain quantum computing like I’m 15”).
✔ DeepSeek – A rising star that rivals ChatGPT and Google Gemini. (Just use it securely!)
✔ Google NotebookLM – Upload your notes, PDFs, or recordings and get summaries, insights, or even a podcast draft. (One listener turned his files into employee training modules!)
How to Get the Best Answers from AI
AI is easy to use, but a few tricks will help you get better results:
🔹 Be Specific – Instead of “Write me a workout plan,” say:
*“Create a 4-week home workout plan for beginners with no equipment. Include rest days.”*
🔹 Use ‘Do’ and ‘Don’t’ – Example for cooking:
“Give me a dinner recipe for 4. Do include chicken and veggies. Don’t use nuts or dairy.”
🔹 Assign a Role – Make AI respond like an expert:
“You’re a financial advisor. Explain Roth IRAs in simple terms.”
10 AI Prompts to Try Right Now
- “Fix My Writing” – Paste your email, essay, or resume and ask: “How can I make this clearer?”
- “Explain Like I’m 10” – Perfect for complex topics (“What’s inflation?”).
- “Find the Gaps” – Ask “What’s missing?” for packing lists, reports, or project plans.
- “Summarize This” – Drop a long article and say: “Give me 3 key takeaways.”
- “Brainstorm Ideas” – Stuck on gifts? Try: “Give me 5 unique birthday presents for a tech lover.”
- “Compare Options” – “What are the pros and cons of renting vs. buying a home?”
- “Analyze Data” – Upload a spreadsheet and ask: “Spot any trends in this sales data.”
- “Play Devil’s Advocate” – “What’s the strongest argument against my opinion?”
- “Help Me Decide” – “I’m debating between two job offers. List questions I should consider.”
- “Teach Me a Skill” – “Break down how to negotiate a raise into 3 steps.”
