How to Start Using Artificial Intelligence with Claude & ChatGPT
A practical guide to using AI without needing a robotics PhD
Ever feel like technology is zooming ahead so fast you can't tell whether it's you or your refrigerator that needs the upgrade? Watching everyone chat about artificial intelligence from the sidelines but haven't dipped your toes in yet? Trust me, you're not alone in this boat.
But here's the good news - what if I told you that you can start using AI without needing to spend years getting a computer science PhD? (Your refrigerator can relax now.)
Today we're diving into how you can start using two AI superstars: Claude and ChatGPT. Think of it as having your own team of brilliant consultants on speed dial, minus the eye-watering invoices and death-by-PowerPoint presentations.
Why Should You Use AI in Your Daily Life?
Let's tackle this head-on - it's probably the first question bouncing around in your mind. Picture having an assistant that never needs coffee breaks, never gets Monday blues, and has access to practically all the world's knowledge. Sounds like every professional's dream, right? That's exactly what these AI tools deliver.
Think of it as having brilliant friends on standby 24/7, ready to help with anything, but who won't get offended when you forget to like their Instagram posts. Unlike your human friend who still brings up that Netflix password you're "borrowing" from five years ago. See? AI's looking pretty good already.
What is Generative AI and Why Should You Care?
Hold up - generative AI, what's that all about? Think of it as a special kind of artificial intelligence that's like a master chef of creativity, cooking up fresh content by learning from existing recipes. We're talking about everything from writing and images to music. Imagine having a personal assistant who could not only draft your emails and brainstorm your next big project ideas, but also help you finally tackle that presentation you've been pushing off since last month. (You know the one I'm talking about!)
Want to dive deeper? I've got a link for you right here about generative AI.
But before we jump into playing with these AI assistants, let's bust some myths that might be holding you back. You know, those late-night thoughts that have you wondering if your toaster is plotting against you...
Busting AI Myths (No Killer Robots Included)
Ready to separate AI facts from science fiction? While Hollywood might have you expecting flying cars and robot overlords, the reality is a lot more useful (and way less dramatic).
"AI is too complicated": Remember when you thought creating a TikTok account was quantum physics? Artificial intelligence is just as approachable. If you can order DoorDash, you can handle AI.
"AI will steal my job": Deep breath - this isn't "I, Robot" territory. AI is more like your personal assistant than your replacement. Trust me, your coffee maker has a better chance of taking over your job than AI does.
"AI isn't secure": Major AI companies invest more in security than Fort Knox (okay, maybe not quite, but you get the idea). Still, use common sense - don't share your credit card details, no matter how politely it asks.
"The robots are going to take over": Worried about a Terminator scenario? Relax - we're still firmly in charge. Besides, have you seen AI try to figure out which pictures have traffic lights in them?
Claude and ChatGPT: Your New Brainstorming Buddies (Who Won't Steal Your Snacks)
Now for the fun part! Let's get you started with some actual AI magic. Meet Claude (from Anthropic) and ChatGPT (from OpenAI) - think of them as your new digital teammates. They're like those impossibly efficient assistants from movies, minus the Hollywood drama and expensive coffee habits. The best part? They're ready to help 24/7, and they actually love those "urgent" requests that pop into your head at 11 PM.
Getting Started with Claude and ChatGPT
Here's the best news - it's both simple AND free:
Head over to claude.ai and/or chatgpt.com to create an account. Yep, totally free - keep that credit card in your wallet!
Inside, you'll find a chat interface that's as simple as texting a friend. Just type and start chatting.
Start small: try asking Claude or ChatGPT to help you craft a persuasive email for your next marketing campaign. Think of it as a warm-up exercise.
These tools are as straightforward as your favorite messaging app - just a friendly chat interface where you can have conversations with AI. Let me show you some quick examples of basic chats with both (don't worry, we'll get to the cool stuff soon).
OK, now that we've had some very basic conversations with these assistants, do you know what's most important when talking to an AI? Context, my friend, is the secret ingredient of AI.
The Importance of Context (or the Art of Not Confusing Your Virtual Assistant)
Talking to AI without context is like trying to bake a cake following a recipe written entirely in emojis (🥚🥛🍪🎂). Sure, it might turn into something interesting, but probably not the birthday cake you were hoping for. That's why when you chat with your AI assistant, giving it the full picture isn't just helpful - it's essential.
Every time you talk to Claude or ChatGPT, imagine you're talking to someone who just landed on Earth (and missed all the orientation sessions). They don't know if you're an entrepreneur plotting to revolutionize food delivery or a student desperately trying to understand calculus at 2 AM. In other words, AI has absolutely no idea who you are or what you want. Kind of tricky when they're supposed to be your assistant, right?
So, when using these tools, here's your recipe for success:
Provide details: if you're working on a project, paint the picture for your AI. Don't assume it knows that your "important project" is actually finding the perfect margarita recipe to wow your friends at Saturday's dinner party. (Pro tip: the golden ratio is 3-1-1)
Specify your role: are you a student? A marketing professional? An astronaut trying to grow potatoes on Mars? The AI needs to know your context to give you relevant advice.
Define the objective: what's your end goal? Whether you're dreaming of writing the next bestseller or just trying to explain cryptocurrency to your grandparents, be clear about what success looks like.
Give examples: whenever possible, show don't tell. It's like bringing a photo to your hairdresser instead of trying to explain that "kind of wavy but not too wavy" look you're going for. We've all been there!
For example, instead of asking: "How can I be more productive?", you could say:
"I'm a digital marketing specialist. I'm overwhelmed with managing social media, content creation, and metrics analysis. My biggest challenge is staying focused with so many notifications and emails. Can you suggest 3 techniques to improve my productivity in this environment?"
Of course, this conversation can continue and become deeper and more interesting - the more context you give to your conversation, the more useful these assistants become.
And it's not just conversations like these. These assistants can do math and even execute code:
Look how AI responds with a detailed calculation, explaining step by step how it reaches the answer. Sure, you probably won't need to calculate a building's angle of elevation. But imagine applying this calculation power to something more useful, like generating reports or maybe determining exactly how much coffee you need to survive that never-ending Monday morning meeting!
A Day in the Life with AI (or How to Pretend You're Tony Stark)
Picture this: your day starts with ChatGPT helping you plan your schedule over breakfast (and maybe explaining why that 6 AM workout keeps getting postponed). Then, you turn to Claude to help craft that important email you've been putting off - you know, the one where you need to explain the project delay without mentioning your weekend Netflix marathon.
By afternoon, you're back on ChatGPT, planning your next vacation itinerary like you've got a personal travel agent. And before bed, you find yourself asking Claude to finally explain that physics concept that went over your head in high school but suddenly seems interesting at midnight.
Get what's happening here? You've leveled up from regular human to basically Tony Stark with J.A.R.V.I.S. (minus the billion-dollar bank account and fancy iron suit 🥲). And the best part? No need to be a tech genius - just someone who knows how to have a good conversation.
The Future is Now, and It's More Fun Than You Imagined
Bringing AI into your daily life isn't about outsourcing your thinking - it's about giving your brain a brilliant partner in crime. Think of it as your personal superpower: instead of flying or turning invisible, you get instant access to a universe of knowledge and creativity with just a few keystrokes. And the best part? No need for spandex or a cape (though if you want to wear them while chatting with AI, that's totally your call - we don't judge).
So what's holding you back? Dive into the AI revolution with Claude and ChatGPT - they're FREE to use, with paid versions offering extra perks if you're feeling fancy. Experiment, explore, and watch as these tools transform your daily grind into something a bit more magical. Just remember our secret sauce: context is everything. The more you share, the better it gets. Think of it as teaching your new digital buddy about your world, one chat at a time.
See you soon!
G
Hey! I'm Germán, and I write about AI in both English and Spanish. This article was first published in Spanish in my newsletter AprendiendoIA, and I've adapted it for my English-speaking friends at My AI Journey. My mission is simple: helping you understand and leverage AI, regardless of your technical background or preferred language. See you in the next one!