New to AI? Start here.

A 5-minute, no-jargon guide. By the end you'll have tried AI for something useful.

1. What is an AI chatbot?

An AI chatbot is a website or app where you type a request in plain words and it writes back, like texting a very well-read helper. It can draft emails, explain confusing things, make plans and lists, brainstorm ideas, and answer follow-up questions.

Two things to know up front:

It's a helper, not an expert you should blindly trust. It can sound confident and still be wrong. Double-check facts, especially about health, money and legal matters.
You can keep talking to it. If the answer isn't right, just reply "make it shorter", "simpler please" or "try again, more friendly". You don't have to start over.

2. The free ones and how to open them

All four below have a free version. Any of them works with every recipe on this site. Pick one and stick with it while you learn.

ChatGPT

Made by OpenAI. The best-known one.

Open chatgpt.com ↗

Claude

Made by Anthropic. Great at writing and long documents.

Open claude.ai ↗

Gemini

Made by Google. Handy if you already use Gmail.

Open gemini.google.com ↗

Microsoft Copilot

Made by Microsoft. Built into Windows and Edge.

Open copilot.microsoft.com ↗

How to open one

On a computer: click one of the buttons above. You may be asked to sign in or make a free account (an email address, or your Google or Microsoft account, works).
On a phone or tablet: open the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play (Android) and search the name. Check the maker (OpenAI, Anthropic, Google or Microsoft) before you install. Copycat apps with similar names exist, and some charge money.
Find the message box at the bottom of the screen, type (or paste) your request and press Enter or the arrow button.

You never need to pay to use this site's recipes. If an app asks for a subscription, you can usually close that screen and keep using the free version.

3. Three safe first tasks to try today

These are low-stakes and useful, perfect for getting comfortable.

1Ask it to explain something you've wondered aboute.g. "Explain how a credit score works in simple words." 2Plan a week of dinners and a grocery listTell it what your family likes and your budget. 3Write a birthday or thank-you card messageGive it one personal detail and see what it suggests.

4. How to ask well (the 5-part recipe)

Every recipe on this site follows the same simple pattern. Use it for anything:

Role: Who should the AI act like? "You are a friendly travel planner."
Task: What do you want? "Plan a 3-day trip to Savannah."
Context: The details that make it yours. "Two of us, in our 60s, love history, don't want to walk too much."
Format: How should the answer look? "A day-by-day list."
Tone: How should it sound? "Relaxed and practical."

Don't want to write it yourself? Type your idea on the home page and we'll build it for you.

5. Privacy basics: what NOT to paste

Treat an AI chat like a postcard: assume someone else could read it. Never paste:

Passwords, PINs or security-question answers
Social Security, passport or driver's license numbers
Full bank account, routing or credit card numbers
Full medical records, or anything with your patient ID or insurance member number
Other people's private information

What to do instead: describe it ("my bank", "a lab result of 162"), or cover up names and numbers before pasting a bill or letter. Most chatbots also have a settings or data controls page where you can turn off chat history or stop your chats being used for training.

Health, money and legal questions: AI is great for preparing questions and understanding words, but it is not a doctor, financial advisor or lawyer. Check important decisions with a professional.