📈 The beginner's guide to ChatGPT

I want to apologize.

We got through two whole issues before even talking about this.

And it's big. That’s on me.

So, let's get this out of the way.

Today, we’ll answer three burning questions:

1. What the f**k is ChatGPT?

2. Why should I use it?

3. Why is everyone shoving AI on my precious curated timeline?

Plus, we’ll talk about how some new AI products from Google and Microsoft can sway your thinking on AI.

Deep dive

A beginner’s guide to ChatGPT

First things first.

1/ Why can't I scroll LinkedIn without AI bombarding my feed?

It's simple.

AI is big now because it finally got good.

That’s really it.

Today, we've got more powerful computers, and AI that's trained on far more data. It's better at understanding things, and learning from data.

2/ Why is it important to know how to use it?

Let's be clear. Unless you're completely off the grid (and if you are, did someone mail you this?) you'll be using AI in the future.

Every product you own will use it.

Bummer if you're skeptical.

The good news?

AI can do amazing things for you.

Let’s time travel. It’s 10 years in the future. You’ll wake up to the soothing sounds of your favorite alarm, be it a phone, screaming kids, or existential dread setting in.

As everyone does (for me, about 0.1 seconds after waking up) you'll reach to your left or your right. That's right, your security blankey; your phone.

You’ll look at your 30 emails from last night and see auto-replies drafted for 29 of them. That last email from your best friend about their Vegas trip plan needed a more personal touch.

That's all well and good. AI will run a lot more boring stuff for you in the future.

For right now, the best way for it to help is for you to nudge it in the right direction.

That means you’ll have to get used to explaining what you want.

And the best way to do that is through chat input.

3/ So how do I use ChatGPT?

The easiest way to jump into AI is to use the Apple of AI agents. That’ll be ChatGPT.

Besides ChatGPT being stupidly easy to use (and free), it’s the most advanced text-based AI model that you can use.

Your homework: Go to https://chat.openai.com/ and sign up for an account. I’ll wait.

You say you’re done? Great. Let’s continue.

You’ll click through a few screens explaining this is experimental, it can produce wrong information, blah blah blah etc etc etc.

After that you’ve got the main screen.

Gotta be honest, it’s looking pretty blank.

It won't in a few seconds.

Your screen might look a little different than mine because I’m a degenerate nerd who pays for a free product.

What I’ve highlighted, though, is the important stuff.

1. Is the AI model you’re using. Don’t worry about this right now. Default is great.

2. Is your prompt, or whatever you send as a message

3. Is the AI’s response

4. If you don’t like the response from the AI, or want to try generating a new one, “Regenerate response” is the button to press

5. The chat window - where you’ll send your messages.

So, what do I DO?

Short answer: whatever you want. Long answer: whatever you want, and I’m just adding extra words to make this the long answer.

The AI model that ChatGPT uses was basically trained on humanity’s current library of alexandria. That is, Wikipedia, textbooks, and archives of every page on the web.

You can use it to analyze a business plan, ask you questions about your health goals, or tell really, really bad jokes.

How do I craft a prompt for an AI?

It helps to be as specific as possible.

Instead of asking for a meal prep plan, say this.

“I’m trying to do a meal prep plan because I really only have time to make food for two hours on Sundays. Can you give me 4 separate meal prep weeks, one recipe per week, that hit these macros? I have the following dietary restrictions.”

Still lost? Here’s a few examples:

1/ Write silly poems about…anything.

2/ Test your understanding of an obscure topic.

3/ Get kitchen inspiration.

4/ Get recipes without scrolling through someone’s life story.

5/ Learn more about your passion, whatever it is

Okay, let’s talk about the elephant in the room.

How is this different from Google?

Three reasons.

1. There aren’t 400 ads on your screen.

2. There’s no life story before the chicken recipe.

3. You can have an actual conversation.

Talking to an AI should feel personal, because how it helps tailors to you.

Give this a try between now and next week. You spend your time playing with ChatGPT, and I’ll spend my time researching how to make it better for you.

Deal? Good.

AI news that should interest you

1/ Google lets you create music by describing it

If you’ve been waiting years to become a DJ, now might be the time.

Enter Google's new AI: generate brand new music on the fly with just a few words.

Google MusicLM turns text like “soulful jazz for a dinner party” into real tunes. Or “80s synthwave with a rock twist”. MusicLM takes those words, turns them into music, and shows you two samples.

The music world is your oyster.

Now, you’ve probably seen AI versions of Drake and The Weeknd going viral.

Google really doesn’t want that.

So, you can’t use specific artist names in prompts.

But zoom out for a sec.

Learning how to describe what you want to an AI is crucial. And what you can do with that...goes beyond just AI-generated jokes.

3/ You can’t avoid AI. It’s coming for your personal computer.

Boy, Microsoft really turned a corner in the past decade, didn’t they?

They’ve been rolling out smash hit after smash hit lately, and last week was no different.

They’re adding an AI copilot for Windows right into your PC.

We know what you’re thinking.

That sounds creepy, not useful, confusing, really interesting!

What would an AI copilot do?

Think of it as if Clippy got superpowers.

Wherever you are on your computer, you’ll have access to an AI that helps you.

Reading a document and want a summary? AI can handle that. Want to generate a draft for a work email? Say no more.

Want to adjust specific settings? Just ask the AI.

Are you getting it?

There’s no avoiding AI changing how you work.

AI tools, tips, links

1. A university professor lets his students use ChatGPT. It doesn’t go well. Link

2. SHAMELESS plug. Our Twitter. Link

3. Understanding how a prompt is broken up by AI. Link

4. A secure Q&A AI for your data. Yes, really. Link

5. Chat with any character in history, using AI. Link

OpenAI’s CEO is inspired. As are we.

ChatGPT won’t be fooled THAT easily.

From Reddit

What’d you think?

Got feedback? I’d love to hear it. Hit me up on LinkedIn or Twitter.