You’ve probably heard of ChatGPT — maybe you’ve even used it to help with schoolwork, find dinner ideas, or plan something fun. But what actually is artificial intelligence, and how can you use it to make life easier?
Let’s break it down.
WHAT IS GENERATIVE AI?
Generative AI tools like ChatGPT are a type of artificial intelligence called Large Language Models (LLMs). They’re trained on huge amounts of text to recognise patterns and produce responses that sound just like a real person.
The “GPT” in ChatGPT stands for Generative Pre-trained Transformer — which basically means it’s really good at generating text based on what it has already learned.
The good news? You don’t have to be a tech expert to use it. Whether you want to summarise pages of notes, design a workout plan, or figure out what to cook for dinner, AI can help you save time and effort. The key is learning how to ask the right questions — or, as we call them, prompts.
HOW TO STRUCTURE THE PERFECT AI PROMPT
When it comes to AI, the way you ask for something matters.
A prompt is the instruction you type into an AI tool. The more detailed and specific your prompt is, the better the result will be. Think of it like giving someone directions — the more clear you are, the more likely they’ll end up exactly where you want them.
Here’s an example:
- Basic prompt: “Write me a blog about AI.”
- Better prompt: “Imagine you’re an author. Write a 200-word blog post in an informal tone for young people (ages 13–25) about how they can use AI in everyday life. Include examples for school, work, travel, and health.”
The second one tells the AI who it’s for, how it should sound, how long it should be, and what to include — all of which help deliver a much more useful result.
A few things to include in your prompt:
- Audience (Who is it for?)
- Tone (Formal, casual, funny?)
- Length or format (Word count, dot points, full paragraphs?)
- Context (What should it cover or focus on?)
It’s also important to fact-check any AI-generated content. Sometimes AI tools make things up — these mistakes are called “hallucinations.” Always review and verify before using it for something important.
HOW YOU CAN USE AI IN YOUR DAILY LIFE
Here are some easy and helpful ways to start using AI right now:
HEALTH AND FITNESS
- Build a personalised workout plan
- Create meal ideas using what’s in your fridge
- Get advice on better sleep or hydration
STUDY AND SCHOOL
- Summarise long readings or notes
- Turn your study notes into flashcards or quizzes
- Check your grammar and spelling
- Brainstorm assignment ideas
MONEY AND BUDGETING
- Create a budget based on your income and expenses
- Get tips on saving money or tracking spending
TRAVEL AND PLANNING
- Plan a full travel itinerary
- Set a travel budget
- Find interesting places to visit
ENTERTAINMENT
- Get recommendations for movies or TV shows
- Find out what’s happening near you
- Generate ideas for things to do on the weekend
WORK AND CAREER
- Draft professional emails
- Prepare for job interviews with practice questions
- Build or edit your resume
FINAL THOUGHTS
AI isn’t a shortcut for doing the work — but it is a tool that can help you do things faster, better, and more efficiently. It’s like having a personal assistant you can take anywhere, ready to help you learn, plan, and get things done.
So instead of working harder, start working smarter — with the help of AI.