What is Artificial Intelligence?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is software that can answer questions, explain ideas, help with writing, and assist with everyday tasks. You type a question into a message box and the AI produces a response.

Examples of things AI can help with:

• Explaining history, science, or current events
• Writing letters or emails
• Planning holidays or days out
• Suggesting recipes
• Helping with hobbies and research
• Summarising long pieces of text

AI services are generally safe, but it is important to follow some simple safety rules:

• Do not share personal or financial information
• Do not enter passwords
• Do not share private documents
• Check important facts using trusted websites
• Treat AI answers as helpful guidance rather than guaranteed fact

Creating an account:

1. Open your internet browser
2. Go to ChatGPT
3. Click Sign Up
4. Enter your email address and create a password
5. Follow the instructions to confirm your account

Asking your first question:

• Plan a day trip in London
• Explain how the steam engine changed Britain
• Suggest healthy lunch ideas
• Write a short poem about spring
• Explain the history of tea in Britain

• Ask clear and specific questions
• Add extra detail if needed
• Ask follow-up questions
• Request a simpler explanation
• Ask the AI to shorten or summarise an answer

While ChatGPT is the main example in this guide, there are other free AI services available:

• ChatGPT
• Google Gemini
• Microsoft Copilot
• Claude
• Perplexity
• Meta AI

1. Explain how the Romans influenced Britain
2. What caused the Great Fire of London
3. Explain how the internet works in simple terms
4. What are the most interesting museums in London
5. Tell me five unusual facts about the human brain
6. Suggest a one-day sightseeing trip in London
7. Plan a three-day visit to Edinburgh
8. What are the best historic villages to visit in Surrey
9. Suggest a scenic walk along the Thames
10. What are the most interesting places to visit in Italy
11. Give me five beginner photography projects
12. Explain how to start vegetable gardening
13. Suggest books similar to Agatha Christie
14. Explain the basic rules of chess
15. What are some easy watercolour painting ideas
16. Suggest healthy lunch ideas
17. Write a polite letter cancelling a subscription
18. Explain how to improve memory as we get older
19. Give me simple exercises I can do at home
20. Write a short poem about spring in England

Artificial Intelligence is simply a tool that can help people learn new things, save time, and explore ideas. The best way to become comfortable with AI is to experiment and ask questions.

Try asking about topics you enjoy, places you would like to visit, or hobbies you would like to explore.

If you would like to explore Artificial Intelligence in more detail, the guides below provide clear explanations and practical step-by-step help. Each guide opens as a downloadable PDF which you can read online or print.

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Artificial Intelligence is best thought of as a helpful assistant rather than a replacement for human knowledge and experience. Tools such as ChatGPT can help us find information quickly, organise ideas, draft letters, or explore new topics. They work best when guided by human curiosity, judgement, and common sense.

This guide is itself a small example of how people and AI can work together. The ideas, structure, and purpose come from people, while an AI assistant has helped organise information and present it clearly.

Human knowledge and skills have developed over many thousands of years through learning, experience, and cooperation. Artificial Intelligence does not replace those abilities; instead it can support them by helping us save time, explore ideas, and continue learning throughout our lives.

Used thoughtfully, AI becomes another useful tool — much like a library, a calculator, or the internet — helping people share knowledge, solve everyday problems, and discover new interests.

About this guide
This introduction to Artificial Intelligence has been prepared for members and visitors of Epsom & Ewell u3a. The content was developed by volunteers and produced with the assistance of an AI writing tool to help organise and present the information clearly.