Quick Start Guide (10 to 15 minutes)
This is the fastest way to get something useful from AI today. You will learn a simple way to ask questions, how to get better answers, and how to stay safe.
A quick joke (to break the ice)
If AI ever takes over the world, your first job will be to negotiate. Practise now by asking it for a cup of tea. When it fails, you will remember: you are still in charge.
Before you start: the two golden rules
- Do not share private information (passwords, bank details, one-time codes, full identity numbers).
- Do not treat AI like a guaranteed source of truth. Use it as a helper, then double-check important stuff.
If you forget everything else
Ask for small, simple help first. You can always ask for more detail later.
Step 1: Open ChatGPT or Gemini
You can use either tool. They work in a similar way: you type (or speak) a question, and the AI replies.
- On a phone or tablet: open the ChatGPT app or the Gemini app.
- On a computer: open your web browser and sign in to ChatGPT or Gemini.
Step 2: Use the simple prompt recipe
A good prompt is just a clear request with a few helpful details.
The simple prompt recipe
What you want + helpful details + how you want it written.
Here are three examples. Try one now:
Example 1: A friendly text message
Write a friendly text message to my neighbour to say thank you for bringing my bin in. Keep it under 30 words.Example 2: Explain something confusing
Explain what 'fixed interest rate' means in simple terms, like you are explaining it to a friend. Use dot points.Example 3: A checklist
Make me a simple checklist for what to pack for a weekend away. I will be travelling by car. Keep it practical.Step 3: Ask a follow-up question (this is the secret)
The best results usually come from a short back-and-forth, like talking to a helpful person.
- Make it shorter.
- Make it more polite.
- Explain it again with an example.
- Ask me 3 questions to clarify what you need, then wait for my answers.
Step 4: If the answer looks wrong, do this
AI sometimes 'fills in the blanks' and sounds confident even when it is guessing. If something looks odd, do not argue with it - redirect it.
- Ask it to check itself: 'Double-check that and list any assumptions you made.'
- Ask for sources (if the tool supports it): 'Where did you get that? If you are not sure, say so.'
- Cross-check the key detail on an official website or by asking a trusted person.
A rule for high-stakes topics
If it involves medical care, legal issues, big money, or personal safety: use AI to prepare questions and organise notes - then confirm with a professional.
Step 5: Save or copy what you want
- To copy: highlight the text, then copy and paste it into Notes, Word, or an email.
- To keep it: you can leave it in the chat, or copy it into a document named 'AI helper notes'.
Quick practice: a 'small win' prompt
Pick one of these based on your life. Copy and paste it into ChatGPT or Gemini:
- Write a simple shopping list for a week of easy dinners for one person. Include breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Keep it budget-friendly.
- I received a letter that I do not understand. Give me a list of questions I should ask the organisation to clarify it. (Do not ask for my private details.)
- Help me write a polite email to my doctor’s clinic asking to book a standard appointment. Keep it short.
- Give me 5 ideas for a low-cost hobby I could start at home. Explain each one in one sentence.
Another quick joke
AI can do many things. It cannot: replace your common sense, remember where the TV remote is, or stop spam calls. For everything else, it is surprisingly handy.
What to do next
- Go to Module 1 to understand what AI is and why it behaves the way it does.
- Go to Module 2 to learn safety, privacy, and scam-protection habits.
- If you are ready to learn by doing: jump to Module 3 (ChatGPT) or Module 4 (Gemini).
Mini habit: keep a 'prompt notebook'
Create a note on your phone called 'My AI Prompts'. Whenever you get a good result, copy the prompt (not just the answer) into that note. Next time, you can reuse it in seconds. This is the fastest way to get better without learning anything complicated.