🤖

Introduction to AI Tools

Discover how AI assistants can help with everyday tasks

Week 7 of 8

AI Myth vs. Fact

How much do you know about artificial intelligence?

For each statement, decide: is it a MYTH or a FACT?

1️⃣
"AI can think and feel emotions like humans" MYTH — AI processes text patterns. It doesn't think, feel, or understand.
2️⃣
"AI can help you write emails and letters" FACT — This is one of AI's best practical uses!
3️⃣
"AI is always 100% accurate" MYTH — AI can make mistakes and even "make up" information (hallucinate).
4️⃣
"You already use AI every day without realizing it" FACT — Spam filters, autocorrect, voice assistants — all AI!
Discussion
Which answer surprised you most? What other questions do you have about AI before we begin?

Today's Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

🎯
Understand What AI Is Explain artificial intelligence in simple, practical terms
💬
Use ChatGPT Access ChatGPT and have a basic conversation with the AI
✍️
Write Good Prompts Ask questions that get helpful, useful answers
⚠️
Know the Limits Understand what AI can and cannot do safely

What is Artificial Intelligence?

A simple explanation

AI in Plain English
AI is a computer program that has learned from millions of examples to understand language and provide helpful responses - like a very well-read assistant.

🧠 How It Learned

  • Read billions of web pages
  • Studied books and articles
  • Learned patterns in language
  • Trained to be helpful

💡 Think of it like...

  • A very fast research assistant
  • Someone who read the entire library
  • A writing helper that never sleeps
  • A patient tutor for any topic

AI You Already Use

AI is more common than you might think!

📧
Email Spam Filters Gmail uses AI to keep junk mail out of your inbox
📺
TV Recommendations Netflix suggests shows based on what you've watched
🗣️
Voice Assistants Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant understand your voice
🔤
Autocorrect & Autocomplete Your phone predicts what you're trying to type

How AI Assistants Work

Understanding the basics

  1. You type a question or request
    Called a "prompt" - your message to the AI
  2. The AI analyzes your words
    It figures out what you're asking for
  3. It generates a response
    Using patterns from everything it learned
  4. You can continue the conversation
    Ask follow-up questions or request changes
Key Point
AI doesn't "think" like humans. It predicts what helpful response would come next based on patterns in language.

Getting Started with ChatGPT

How to access this popular AI tool

  1. Go to chat.openai.com
    Type this in your browser's address bar
  2. Create a free account
    Sign up with your email or Google account
  3. Start chatting!
    Type your question in the text box at the bottom

🖥️ Live Demo

Let's go to ChatGPT together and create accounts

📋
Refer to your "AI Quick Start Guide" handout for step-by-step instructions

The ChatGPT Interface

What you'll see on screen

📍 Left Sidebar

  • New Chat - Start fresh conversation
  • History - Your past conversations
  • Settings - Account options

📝 Main Area

  • Conversation - Your chat history
  • Text Box - Where you type
  • Send Button - Submit your message
💡 Helpful Tip
The free version (ChatGPT) works great for everyday tasks. You don't need to pay for the Plus version.

Writing Good Prompts

Get better answers by asking better questions

✅
Be Specific Instead of "Help me write" try "Help me write a thank you note to my doctor"
✅
Give Context Tell the AI who it's for and what tone you want (formal, friendly, brief)
✅
Ask for Changes You can say "make it shorter" or "use simpler words"
✅
One Thing at a Time Break big requests into smaller steps

Prompt Examples

See the difference good prompts make

❌ Weak Prompt:

"Write a letter"

✅ Strong Prompt:

"Help me write a formal letter to the VA requesting a copy of my medical records. Keep it brief and professional."
The Strong Prompt Includes:
✓ What (letter) ✓ Who (VA) ✓ Purpose (request records) ✓ Tone (formal, brief)

Workshop Time!

Hands-on practice with ChatGPT

AI Tools Workshop — Parts 1 & 2 (Guided)
Use the AI Tools Workshop handout to follow along.

Part 1: First Conversation (10 min)

  • Send your first message to ChatGPT
  • Ask a follow-up question
  • See how AI remembers context

Part 2: Prompting Challenge (15 min)

  • Compare weak vs. strong prompts
  • Learn the prompt formula
  • Improve 3 weak prompts
Remember the Prompt Formula
Strong Prompt = WHAT you want + WHO it's for + HOW you want it (tone, length, format)

Break Time

10 minutes — Don't close ChatGPT!

☕

10-Minute Break

Before You Step Away
  • Keep your ChatGPT tab open — we'll continue after break
  • Your conversation history saves automatically
  • Feel free to keep chatting if you want!
After Break: Independent Practice
You'll complete real-world AI tasks on your own (VA letter, meal plan, email) and then test whether AI can be trusted. Parts 3 & 4 of the workshop!

What AI Cannot Do

Understanding AI's limitations

❌
Access the Internet in Real-Time AI's knowledge has a cutoff date - it can't look up current news or prices
❌
Know Personal Information It doesn't know your name, history, or account details unless you tell it
❌
Replace Professional Advice Not a substitute for doctors, lawyers, or financial advisors
❌
Be 100% Accurate AI can make mistakes or "hallucinate" (make up) information

Staying Safe with AI

Important safety guidelines

🔒 Never Share with AI:
  • Social Security numbers
  • Bank account or credit card numbers
  • Passwords or PINs
  • Medical record numbers
  • Full address or date of birth

✅ Safe to Share

  • General questions
  • Writing requests
  • Learning topics
  • Planning help

🔍 Always Verify

  • Medical information
  • Legal advice
  • Financial decisions
  • Important dates/facts

Show & Share

Share your best prompts and biggest surprises!

Share with the Class
What was your best prompt? Read it aloud and show the response you got.

💬 Discussion

  • Which AI task was most useful to you?
  • What surprised you about ChatGPT?
  • Did you find any errors in AI's answers?
  • Would you use AI again at home?

🔍 Fact Check Results

  • What did AI get right?
  • What did AI get wrong?
  • How would you verify the information?
  • When should you NOT trust AI?
The Golden Rule of AI
AI is a helpful starting point, not the final answer. Always verify important information with official sources, especially for medical, legal, and financial decisions.

Your AI Challenge

Put your AI skills to work this week!

This Week's Mission
Try 3 real AI tasks at home this week. For each one, check whether the information is accurate.
  1. Write a letter or email
    Try a thank-you note, complaint letter, or message to family
  2. Plan something
    Trip packing list, weekly meals, home improvement checklist
  3. Learn something new
    Ask about a topic you're curious about — then verify with a second source
Remember
✅ Be specific in your prompts    ✅ Ask follow-up questions    ✅ Always verify important info    ❌ Never share personal data
📋
Take your workshop handout home for prompt ideas and safety reminders!
🤖

Week 7 Complete!

You've learned the basics of AI tools and how to use ChatGPT safely and effectively!

7
Weeks Done
1
Week Left
Next Week: Mobile Integration & Course Review
We'll connect everything together and celebrate your progress!
Slide 1 of 17