A Simple Tutorial: How to Use AI Language Models
such as ChatGPT
What is ChatGPT?
ChatGPT is an AI assistant that you can talk to by typing. It can help with:
- Writing letters or emails
- Getting health or tech advice
- Understanding confusing paperwork
- Finding recipes
- Remembering things
- Learning new topics
- Just having a friendly chat!
Step-by-Step: How to Use ChatGPT
1. Open ChatGPT:
- Go to: https://chat.openai.com
- Sign up or log in (with your email and password)
2. Start a New Conversation:
- Click “New Chat” (usually on the left)
- You’ll see a blank box at the bottom — this is where you type your
message.
3. Type in Plain Language:
Type like you're talking to a helpful person. For example:
- “Can you help me write a birthday card for my grandson?”
- “What does this Medicare letter mean?”
- “Remind me how to cook rice.”
- “Tell me a fun fact about history.”
4. Press Enter or Click the Paper Plane Icon:
ChatGPT will respond instantly with helpful text.
5. Follow Up Like a Real Conversation:
You can ask follow-up questions:
- “Can you make that message more polite?”
- “Explain it to me like I’m 80 years old.”
- “Can you put this in bigger words?”
What Can ChatGPT Help Me With?
Letters & Messages:
“Write a thank-you letter to my doctor.”
Summarizing:
“Summarize this article about health.”
Understanding
“What does Medicare Part B cover?”
Recipes
“Easy dinner ideas for two people.”
Computer Help
“How do I save a file to my desktop?”
Planning
“Help me create a weekly schedule.”
Entertainment
“Tell me a clean joke!” or “Give me a trivia quiz.”
Tips for Seniors
- Be specific: Tell it exactly what you want.
- Ask it to explain again: Say “Try again simpler” or “Explain slowly.”
- Correct it: You can say, “That’s not what I meant — try again.”
- It’s private: Your conversation stays just between you and ChatGPT.
What ChatGPT Cannot Do
- It doesn’t know your name unless you tell it.
- It cannot browse real-time news unless connected to web tools.
- It may make mistakes, so double-check important info (like medical or legal
advice).