I have been getting a lot of questions lately about ChatGPT. Clients ask me what it is, if it is safe, and why their grandchildren keep talking about it.
If you have heard the words ChatGPT, Perplexity, Claude, or artificial intelligence and felt a little lost, you are not alone. Most of my clients feel the same way before we sit down together. Here is the plain-language version.
What Is ChatGPT and Why Does Everyone Talk About It
ChatGPT is a computer program you can talk to or type to, and it writes back to you in plain language, almost like texting with a very well-read assistant. You ask it a question, and it answers.
Perplexity and Claude work in a similar way. They are all part of a technology called artificial intelligence, or AI for short. Think of AI as a very fast reader that has looked at an enormous amount of information and can explain things back to you in simple words.
If you want a patient walkthrough of any of these tools in your own home, I offer AI and ChatGPT lessons for seniors across Manatee and Sarasota County.
What Can You Ask It
This is where it gets useful. You can ask ChatGPT or a similar AI tool almost anything, in plain English, the way you would ask a friend.
- Writing help for a thank-you note or a letter to family
- Finding a recipe using whatever is already in your fridge
- Getting a simple explanation of a medical term your doctor used
- Planning what to pack for a trip up north
- Answering a question you have been curious about for years
ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Claude: What Is the Difference
All three are AI assistants, but they have small differences. ChatGPT is the most well known and is good for general questions and writing help. Perplexity is built more like a search engine, so it tends to show you sources for its answers. Claude is known for being careful and clear with longer explanations.
None of them require you to be a computer expert. You type or speak a question in normal words, and it responds the same way.
Is It Safe to Use
This is the question I hear the most, and it is a fair one. Used carefully, these tools are safe for everyday questions and tasks.
The one rule I give every client is simple. Do not type in your social security number, bank account numbers, or passwords. Treat it the same way you would treat a conversation with a stranger. Everyday questions about recipes, letters, or hobbies are perfectly fine.
I also help clients understand the difference between real AI tools and scam calls that mention the word AI to sound official. If you want to learn more about that specific danger, I wrote a guide on the AI voice scam targeting seniors that walks through exactly how it sounds.
How to Try It for the First Time
You do not need to buy anything to get started. ChatGPT has a free version you can use on a phone, tablet, or computer. You simply create a free account and start typing a question.
If typing feels hard on your hands or your eyes, most of these tools also let you speak your question out loud instead. I show clients how to set that up during our visits.
You Do Not Have to Figure This Out Alone
I know AI can feel like one more confusing thing added to a phone or computer that already feels complicated. You do not have to sit down with it by yourself and hope you get it right.
I offer patient, in-home one-on-one tech lessons for seniors across Lakewood Ranch, Bradenton, Parrish, Palmetto, and Sarasota County, and AI is one of the topics I enjoy teaching most. We go at your pace, and you can ask the same question as many times as you need to.
If you are curious about ChatGPT, Perplexity, or Claude and would rather learn with someone sitting next to you than figure it out alone, give me a call or text at (941) 201-9450 and we can set up a visit.