Our Share and Learn meeting in November was all about looking at some of the free and widely accessible A.I (Artificial Intelligence) tools that are available online today.

The goal was to see how these tools work and how they can make everyday tasks easier for you, such as writing, researching, and learning new things.

1. Safety and Common Sense First!

A.I. is a wonderful tool, but like anything new, it’s important to use it wisely:

• Always Check the Facts: A.I. is helpful, but it can sometimes make mistakes. If you get an important piece of information, double-check it with a reliable source.

• Look Out for Scams: Be careful about strange emails or calls—some bad actors use A.I. to try and trick people.

• Keep a Good Balance: Technology is fun, but remember to keep enjoying your human connections and activities!

2. The Three Free Helpers We Explored

The presentation compared three popular, free ways you can start using A.I. today:

• AI Overview
  - Quick Facts and Summaries – It shows up right inside your regular Google searches, giving you a quick, easy-to-read paragraph. It's great because it tells you where the information came from.
  - Built right into Google Search

• ChatGPT
  - Writing and Brainstorming – Think of it as a friendly writing assistant. It's excellent for drafting a polite email, writing a letter, or getting ideas for a gift or a short story.
  - From any browser, search for 'chatgpt' and visit ChatGPT.com. There is also an app if you prefer - available in the App and Play Stores. (There are 3 levels of access: free, free with an account, paid. We recommend the free version with an account - you have more privileges with an account, including a history of searches, the ability to download responses, syching across devices, and a few other perks) 

• Gemini
  - The All-in-One Helper – This one is made by Google and is very smart. It can use not only text, but also pictures, and it's starting to be included in tools like Gmail and your Android phone.
  - Search for 'google gemini' and visit gemini.google.com. (You can use your existing Google/Gmail account to sign in.)

• Perplexity (we didn't get to this one, but some info is included here for your interest)
  - Reliable Research – If you need to check a fact or do detailed research, this is a great choice. Its best feature is that it clearly shows you all the sources it used for its answer.
  - Not specifically linked in the slide, but can be found by searching for 'Perplexity AI'.

Example Demonstrations

We learned how simple it is to use these tools. For example, in Gemini, we saw how to:

• Ask for gift ideas for a grandchild with specific interests.

• Use its "Guided Learning" feature, which can quickly teach you how to use a new appliance or gadget by breaking down the instructions.

The main takeaway is: Don’t be shy! A.I. is a very helpful tool—you just have to ask it a question in plain language.