Brand new to AI? Start here.
You do not need to be a computer person. If you can send a text message, you can do this. Six short steps, about ten minutes.
Step 1: What AI chat actually is
Think of it as typing a question to a very well-read helper, in a box on your phone or computer, and getting a written answer back in seconds. You type in plain English. It types back. You can ask a follow-up, just like a conversation.
It is good at drafts, plans, lists, and explaining things. It can also be confidently wrong, so treat it like a helpful neighbour, not an expert you never check.
Step 2: Pick one free assistant
Pick just one. They all work much the same way, and every prompt on this site works in any of them. All three are free to start:
General assistant
ChatGPT
A good all-rounder. If you only pick one, pick this one.
Meal plans, emails, homework help.
Open ChatGPT (free to start) →General assistant
Claude
Especially good at longer letters and careful wording.
Long letters, college essay feedback.
Open Claude (free to start) →General assistant
Google Gemini
Handy if you already use Gmail or Google on your phone.
Planning with Gmail/Calendar.
Open Google Gemini (free to start) →Tap one, create a free account if it asks, and look for the empty box that says something like “Message” or “Ask anything”. That box is where everything happens.
Step 3: Copy a prompt from this site
A “prompt” is just the words you type into that box. We have written ready-made ones for real dad jobs. On the prompts page, tap the big Copy prompt button under any prompt. That puts the words on your phone or computer, ready to paste.
Step 4: Paste it, then fill in the [brackets]
Go to your assistant, press in the message box, and paste. On a phone, press and hold, then tap Paste. On a computer, right-click and choose Paste, or hold Ctrl and press V.
Before you send it, change every part in [square brackets] to your real details. For example, [5] becomes 5, and [$120] becomes $120. The brackets are just placeholders. No brackets left? Tap Send.
Step 5: Read it, then ask a follow-up
You will get an answer in seconds. Too long? Type “Make that shorter.” Missing something? Type “Add a grocery list.” Wrong tone? “Make it friendlier.” Talking back to it is the whole trick, and there is no wrong way to do it.
Step 6: Stay safe (the short version)
- Never type a child's full name, school, address, photos, passwords, or bank details. First names, or just “my 7-year-old”, are plenty.
- Double-check facts, dates, prices, and numbers. AI can sound sure and still be wrong.
- For health, money, legal, or school decisions, use AI to prepare your questions — then confirm with the doctor, adviser, or school.
- If it ever asks for money or a password, stop. A real assistant will not do that mid-chat.
I told my grandkids I'm an AI expert now. They said, “Sure, Grandpa” — then asked me to fix the Wi-Fi.