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In depthHow to use artificial intelligence: a guide for complete beginners
By the FAIND newsroom · Updated on 17 October 2026
Learning to use artificial intelligence does not require a technical background. It takes an hour of trying and a few rules to avoid being misled. This is the guide we wish we had read at the start.
In brief
- You can start for free: all the main assistants have a free plan.
- The quality of the answer depends on how clear the request is.
- Never trust without checking, never enter confidential data.
How AI works, in two lines
Assistants such as ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini are language models: they have read enormous amounts of text and predict, word by word, the most plausible answer. That is why they write well and, at times, state wrong things with confidence.
Which one to start with
Any of the main ones, in its free version: there is no need to pick the perfect one. If you already use Gmail and Docs, Gemini is the most convenient; for general use ChatGPT is perfectly fine; for writing and reasoning over long texts many people prefer Claude. The differences and prices are on the AI assistants compared page.
How to write a good request
The request is called a prompt. It works best when it contains four things: who you are or who the result is for, what you want, precisely, the material to work on, and the format of the answer. “Write an email” gives a generic result; “write a three-line email to a client to move Thursday's appointment, friendly tone” gives a useful one. If the answer is not convincing, correct it: this is a conversation, not a search.
How to use AI for studying and at school
It works well for having a topic explained in simpler words, being quizzed, summarising your own notes and finding examples. It works badly, and teaches nothing, if you ask it to do your homework for you. The practical rule: use it as a tutor, not as a substitute.
How to use artificial intelligence on your phone
It is the easiest way to start. Download the free ChatGPT, Gemini or Claude app and type or speak, as in a chat. On many Android phones Gemini is already installed as the assistant; on recent iPhones Siri can pass questions to ChatGPT. With the camera you can also show it something, a document or a label, and ask for an explanation.
The mistakes to avoid
Three above all. Trusting without checking: dates, numbers and quotations must always be verified. Entering confidential data: work documents, client data, health information. Assuming that a well-written answer must be correct. For the terms you come across, there is the glossary.
Frequently asked questions
How do you learn to use artificial intelligence?
By trying a free assistant on real tasks: an email, a summary, an explanation. You improve by learning to write precise requests and to check the answers.
Do you have to pay to use artificial intelligence?
No. All the main services have a free plan that is enough for learning. Paid plans are for those who use it a lot.
How do you use artificial intelligence?
Open an assistant such as ChatGPT, Gemini or Claude, on the website or in the app, and write a precise request: what you want, for whom, on what material and in what format. Then improve the answer by continuing the conversation.
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