Last year, I didn’t know much about artificial intelligence. My only real exposure was experimenting with Midjourney — creating a few images for fun, without much idea how it all worked.
That changed when two of my grown sons asked if I could help them develop an investor business plan for a new idea. I reached out to a former colleague from a university entrepreneurship center for advice. She said, “Try ChatGPT — and when you do, make sure your prompt includes the word comprehensive.”
That single suggestion opened the door.
I logged into ChatGPT, followed its advice, and within minutes, it produced a surprisingly strong first draft of a business plan. As I refined the questions, I realized I was using what I’d later learn is called layered reasoning — (starting with simple prompts and building toward more detailed, complex ones.)
By asking follow-up questions (“Can you expand the market research section?” or “What trends might affect this region?”), ChatGPT essentially became my research assistant, strategist, and editor — all in one.
What I Learned Early On
That first experience taught me three things:
- AI can handle complex projects if you guide it step by step.
- Good prompts are more about clarity than cleverness.
- You don’t have to be technical — just curious.
Since then, I’ve used AI assistants for everything from business plans to marketing emails to recipe ideas. The key is learning to think with the tool, not just ask it for answers.
If You’re Just Getting Started
You don’t need to dive straight into advanced tools. Start simple. Here are a few good options to explore:
- ChatGPT (OpenAI) – My personal favorite starting point. It’s free to use at chat.openai.com, with an optional Plus plan at about $20 per month for extra features and faster responses.
- Google Gemini – Google’s answer to ChatGPT, integrated with Gmail and Google Docs. A free version is available, and a paid “Gemini Advanced” tier unlocks more capabilities. You can access it through your Google account.
- Perplexity AI – Great for quick research or fact-checking. It combines a conversational interface with reliable source citations. The free version is solid; a Pro upgrade is optional. Visit perplexity.ai.
- Built-in assistants – Tools like Google Assistant or Apple’s Siri are improving rapidly, and Google is merging many of these features into Gemini. They’re fine for basic tasks like reminders or quick searches but not yet as capable for deeper writing or planning.
Why I Recommend Starting with ChatGPT
It’s simple, reliable, and doesn’t require setup. The free version is powerful enough to learn the basics and experiment safely. Once you’re comfortable, you can try more advanced assistants — or even specialized versions of ChatGPT designed for particular topics, like the custom ones we’ve created for My AI Friendly Robot.
Your First Step
If you’ve never tried an AI assistant before, here’s an easy place to begin:
- Go to chat.openai.com.
- Create a free account.
- Type this prompt:
“Help me write a short bio for my Facebook or LinkedIn profile. I want it to sound natural and approachable.”
- Read the response. Then ask a follow-up question to refine it — something like, “Make it sound a little more professional.”
That back-and-forth is where the real learning happens. Every follow-up question helps you understand how AI “thinks,” and you’ll soon find yourself using the same layered reasoning approach without realizing it.
Looking Ahead
That one experiment to help my sons write a business plan turned into a larger curiosity — and eventually, this series. Over the next few posts, we’ll look at how to use AI for real-world projects, starting with practical steps anyone can try.
The future of AI isn’t about knowing everything — it’s about knowing how to start.
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