Most people who try AI and find it underwhelming are asking it the wrong kinds of questions — too vague, or without enough context. A few small changes make an enormous difference.
Think of AI less like a search engine and more like a conversation with a knowledgeable friend. The more you explain your situation, the more helpful the response.
1. Tell it who you are. AI doesn't know anything about you unless you say so. "I'm 68, retired, and not very confident with technology" changes everything about how it responds.
2. Specify the tone. AI can write formally, warmly, briefly, or in detail. Just say: "Keep it friendly and not too long."
3. Ask it to simplify. If an answer is still confusing, say: "Can you explain that more simply, using an everyday example?"
4. Paste in documents. Copy and paste a letter, an email, or a document and ask AI to explain it, summarise it, or help you respond. Hugely useful.
5. Keep the conversation going. Ask follow-up questions in the same chat. "Can you make that shorter?" or "Give me another version." AI remembers everything said earlier in the conversation.