When people hear the words Artificial Intelligence, the conversation often becomes enormous.

Will AI replace jobs?

How intelligent will computers become?

What will the world look like in ten years?

Interesting questions.

But they aren't necessarily the best questions for somebody who's just getting started.

I'd begin somewhere much simpler:

“What could AI help me with this week?”

Here are seven ideas taken from the sort of practical uses I've been exploring.

1. Understand something confusing

Ask:

Explain [SUBJECT] to me in straightforward English as if I'm completely new to it.

2. Learn something new

Ask AI to become a patient tutor and create a beginner's learning plan.

3. Organise your week

Give it your appointments, jobs and commitments and ask it to create a manageable schedule.

4. Improve an email

Write the email yourself, then ask AI to make it clearer, warmer, shorter or more professional.

5. Plan a holiday

Tell AI where you're going, what interests you and how long you have.

Ask for a relaxed itinerary.

6. Decide what to cook

Tell AI what's in your fridge and cupboard.

Ask for three meal suggestions.

7. Help with the garden

Describe an area of your garden and ask for planting or maintenance suggestions appropriate to your location.

None of these requires you to understand AI

And that's really my point.

You don't need to become fascinated by Artificial Intelligence itself.

You need to discover whether it can do something useful for you.

That's when the penny begins to drop.

The first time AI saves you half an hour, helps you understand something, gives you an idea you hadn't considered or helps you write something you've been struggling with, it stops being an abstract technology.

It becomes a tool.

Pick just one

Don't try all seven.

Choose the one that would be most useful today.

Open ChatGPT.

Type the question.

See what happens.

Want to Go Further?

These examples are drawn from the practical approach behind my book:

AI Made Simple for the Over 50s

It contains 50 practical prompts designed to help complete beginners discover useful ways of using Artificial Intelligence in everyday life.

No need to become a technology expert.

Start with something useful and build your confidence from there.

Tony Phelps

Want to Discover More Ways AI Could Help You?

I'm Tony Phelps, author of AI Made Simple for the Over 50s.

I wrote the book for people who are curious about Artificial Intelligence but don't want complicated technical explanations or unnecessary jargon.

Inside you'll find 50 practical AI prompts showing you how AI can help with everyday tasks, learning, writing, planning, hobbies, organisation, new ideas and much more.

📘 Discover AI Made Simple for the Over 50s

[FIND THE BOOK ON AMAZON AI Made Simple for the Over 50s on Amazon UK

🎁 Already Have the Book?

I've also created a complimentary AI Made Simple Reader Bonus Pack to help you put what you're learning into practice.

It includes:

✓ AI Starter Guide
✓ AI Made Simple Companion Workbook
✓ 30-Day AI Challenge
✓ Prompt Cheat Sheet & Quick Reference Guide

[GET YOUR READER BONUS PACK

Keep learning. Keep experimenting. And don't worry about getting everything right first time.

Tony Phelps
Author of AI Made Simple for the Over 50s