AI is here to stay: Tips to simplify your life

While dining with my husband in Paris, we received the wine menu, which had all the names in French. Barry requested a wine similar to a Napa cabernet, so I snapped a photo of the menu and sought advice from ChatGPT. In a matter of seconds, it suggested a wine. I cross-checked with the waiter, who gave it a thumbs-up.

Enter to win a pair of $329 Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses without making a purchase.

Anyone can use AI, not just businesses, programmers, or the tech-savvy.

Embrace AI this year instead of ignoring its power. It's easier and more helpful than you think.

Let’s start with the basics

Where can I access ChatGPT? It's available on the web or for download on iPhone or Android.

Consider starting with the free tier and upgrading if you find yourself relying on your favorite AI tool regularly. It's worth considering for access to better features and faster response times.

While there are other options available, such as Google Gemini, Perplexity, and Claude, ChatGPT is currently my preferred choice and the most widely used.

Instead of typing in a search term and scrolling through results, you can have a conversation with the bot to get the exact output you need.

Be cautious when using AI, as mistakes can occur and lead to unfavorable consequences, like what happened to lawyers who used AI to draft court documents.

You’ve heard of prompts, right?

What is the purpose of the AI system?

"The process of providing specific instructions to a chatbot is referred to as "priming." By doing so, you can improve the accuracy and relevance of the responses you receive. For instance, you can specify the length of the response, the format in which you want the information presented, or the data you want the chatbot to use in generating its response."

Here's a recipe for six people that includes protein, fruits, vegetables, and carbs, but excludes dairy products, shellfish, and nuts.

7 prompts to make life easier

I want to [fill in the blank], but I'm not sure how to make it specific, measurable, assignable, realistic, and time-related. Can you help me break it down into smaller, more manageable tasks?

I frequently use the prompt 'Give me 10 more examples' with ChatGPT to enhance its brainstorming capabilities. While some of its suggestions may be subpar, they can still inspire creative thoughts in your mind.

What can I do to enhance this?

Instead of manually turning your messy meeting notes into a professional email, you can use a chatbot to quickly and easily create a friendly email to your team. Simply paste your notes and ask the chatbot if there are any missing details.

To quickly handle a lengthy email, simply open your preferred AI chatbot and enter the prompt "Summarize this email for me. Provide action items and a thoughtful response. Please find the email below." Then paste the email and let the AI take care of the rest.

Get in shape with a custom fitness plan created by your AI. Try this: "Create a 30-day fitness plan for fat loss and muscle gain tailored to a [male/female] beginner at [your age]." Or get specific: "Create a four-week fitness plan to help me run a mile for the first time." No need to stress.

Hey there! It seems like your spouse forgot to load the dishes again. Instead of getting upset, let's use AI to help us find a more constructive way to communicate this. How about we ask our favorite chatbot to rephrase our frustration in a more friendly tone?

Don’t forget about privacy

While it may seem like your bot is a reliable companion due to its consistent provision of useful responses, it is essentially a data gathering device, similar to any other tool.

Be cautious when sharing personal or sensitive information with chatbots, as it could potentially be made public.

To disable memory features in the ChatGPT or Perplexity app, you can turn off memory features in the app settings. For Google Gemini, you need a paid account to do this.

Get tech-smarter on your schedule

Award-winning host Kim Komando is your secret weapon for navigating tech.

• Across the US, there are over 500 radio stations airing National Radio. You can find your local station or listen to the free podcast.
• Daily newsletter: Join 600,000 people who read the Current (free!)
• Watch: On Kim’s YouTube channel
• Podcast: "Kim Komando Today" - Listen wherever you get podcasts

Copyright 2025, WestStar Multimedia Entertainment. All rights reserved.