AI for you

AI assistants such as ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini and Copilot can draft letters, explain confusing paperwork and answer questions in plain English. Here's how to put them to work, and where to be careful.

A smiling man with glasses using a laptop

What an AI assistant actually is

It's a program you talk to by typing or speaking, in ordinary sentences. It has learned from a huge amount of writing, so it can explain things, write things and answer follow-up questions, a bit like a well-read helper who never gets tired of questions.

It isn't a person, it doesn't know you, and it can be confidently wrong. Treat it as a useful first draft, not the final word.

Getting started

Ask your first questionFree versions are available for all the main assistants
  1. Go to the assistant's website (for example chatgpt.com, claude.ai or gemini.google.com) or download its app from your app store. Check the app is made by the company itself before installing.
  2. Create a free account with your email address.
  3. Type your question in the box at the bottom, just as you'd ask a person, and press Enter or the send arrow.
  4. Read the answer. If it's not quite right, reply with what to change, such as "make that shorter" or "explain it more simply".
Get better answersSmall changes that make a big difference
  • Give context. "I'm 74, I have an iPhone 13 and I want to..." gets a far better answer than a bare question.
  • Say what you want back. "Give me three options", "keep it to one paragraph" or "use simple steps".
  • Paste in the text. Copy a confusing letter or terms and conditions into the box and ask what it means.
  • Keep the conversation going. Ask follow-up questions in the same chat. It remembers what you said earlier in that chat.
  • Ask it to check itself. "What might be wrong with that answer?" often catches mistakes.
Talk instead of typingHandy if typing on a small screen is a nuisance
  1. Open the assistant's app on your phone.
  2. Tap the microphone symbol next to the message box.
  3. Speak normally. Most apps can read their answer out loud too, look for a speaker symbol.

Useful things to ask

Copy any of these, change the details, and try them.

Write a letter"Write a polite but firm letter to my energy supplier. They have billed me twice for September. My account number is on the bill, leave a space for it."
Understand paperwork"Here is a letter from my council. Tell me in plain English what it's asking me to do, and by when." (then paste the text)
Cook with what you have"I have two chicken thighs, a leek, some potatoes and a tin of tomatoes. Suggest an easy dinner for one."
Plan a day out"Plan a relaxed day trip to Bath by train from Reading. I don't want to walk more than a mile at a time."
Learn something new"I'm going to Spain in May. Teach me ten useful phrases, and how to say them."
Check a message"I received this text. Does it look like a scam? Explain why." (then paste the message)

Where to be careful

Never type in bank details, card numbers, passwords or your National Insurance number. An assistant never needs them.

  • Double-check anything important. For health, money or legal matters, use the answer to prepare your questions, then confirm with your GP, pharmacist, bank or solicitor.
  • It can make things up. Names, dates, phone numbers and quotes can look convincing but be wrong. Check them yourself.
  • Voices and videos can be faked. Scammers can now copy a family member's voice from a short clip. Agree a family password to use if anyone ever calls asking for money urgently. More on this.
  • You don't have to pay. The free versions are enough for everything on this page.