THe User's Guide to AI Basics Revisited

 

This morning, we participated in Tech Coaches "The User's Guide to AI Basics. Here are the 5 basic prompts to getting the information that you really want from the different AIs throughout the web. 

Prompt 1

I'm a beginner and want to understand (TOPIC).

Please explain it in:

1. Everyday language

2. A short summary first

3. Step-by-step detail after that

4. Examples that relate to normal daily life

5. A final section called "What I actually need to Remember"

Please avoid technical jargon unless you explain it clearly

 Prompt 2

Prompt 3

Prompt 4

Prompt 5

example of prompt 5

I also asked CoPilot to create A “What to do when AI confuses you” cheat sheet

and here is the result

🧩 What To Do When AI Confuses You

A simple cheat sheet for beginners

1️⃣ Pause and Re‑Read the Answer Slowly

Sometimes AI gives:

• Too much information
• Not enough
• Something unrelated
• Something that sounds right but isn’t

A slow re‑read helps you spot what feels “off.”

2️⃣ Ask AI to Try Again (This Is Normal!)

You can say:

• “That’s not what I meant. Try again more simply.”
• “Please explain that in plain language.”
• “Give me the short version.”
• “Start over and keep it beginner‑friendly.”

AI improves with each clarification.

3️⃣ Tell AI What Part Confused You

Examples:

• “I don’t understand step 3.”
• “What does that word mean?”
• “Explain this like I’m brand new to computers.”

You don’t need the right vocabulary — just point to the part that felt fuzzy.

4️⃣ Ask for an Example

Examples make everything clearer. Try:

• “Show me an example.”
• “Give me a sample message.”
• “Can you demonstrate what you mean?”

AI is great at turning abstract ideas into something concrete.

5️⃣ Break the Task Into Smaller Pieces

If the answer feels overwhelming, try:

• “Let’s do this one step at a time.”
• “Start with step 1 only.”
• “Explain the first part first.”

Small steps = big clarity.

6️⃣ Check Important Information Elsewhere

For anything involving:

• Health
• Money
• Legal matters
• Safety
• Personal decisions

Always double‑check with a trusted human or official source.

AI is a helper — not the final authority.

7️⃣ Use the Magic Phrase: “Explain it another way.”

This works beautifully when the explanation is:

• Too technical
• Too long
• Too short
• Too complicated

AI will rephrase until it clicks.

8️⃣ If It Still Doesn’t Make Sense… Ask AI What It Thinks You Meant

Try:

• “Tell me what you think I’m asking.”
• “What do you think I’m trying to do?”

This often uncovers the misunderstanding instantly.

9️⃣ Remember: Confusion Is Normal

Even experienced users get odd or incorrect answers.

AI is not perfect — it’s a tool that learns from your guidance.

You’re not doing anything wrong.

🔟 End With a Reset

If things get tangled:

• “Let’s start fresh.”
• “Forget the previous instructions.”
• “Here’s what I want to do…”

A clean slate works wonders.

🌟 Quick Version
       (For Printing at the Bottom of a Page)

When AI confuses you:

1. Re‑read slowly

2. Ask it to try again

3. Say what part confused you

4. Ask for an example

5. Break it into steps

6. Double‑check important info

7. Ask for a simpler explanation

8. Ask what it thinks you meant

9. Remember confusion is normal

10. Reset and start fresh