The basics
What is AI?
A short, plain-English guide for anyone who keeps hearing about AI and wants to know what it actually is. About five minutes to read.
What AI is
AI (short for “artificial intelligence”) is computer software that can work with ordinary language. The kind most people use today is an AI chat app: you type or say a request in everyday words, and it writes back an answer.
It learned from a very large amount of written text. That lets it draft, summarize, explain, and suggest ideas. It does not think or understand the way a person does. It works out a likely answer, so it is often helpful and sometimes wrong.
What it can and can’t do
It’s good at
- Writing a first draft of an email, letter, or card
- Explaining a confusing letter or topic simply
- Planning meals, trips, and to-do lists
- Giving you ideas and options to choose from
- Answering follow-up questions patiently
It can’t be trusted to
- Always get facts, numbers, or dates right
- Know today’s news, prices, or opening hours
- Replace a doctor, lawyer, or financial advisor
- Make decisions for you
- Know anything about you that you haven’t told it
Treat it like a quick helper whose work you always check.
Is it safe?
Yes, if you follow a few simple habits:
- Keep private details out. Never type passwords, PINs, Social Security or ID numbers, or full bank and card numbers.
- Use the official app. Download it from the company’s website or your phone’s app store. Look-alike apps exist.
- Check what matters. Double-check facts, and confirm health, money, or legal matters with a professional.
- Check your settings. Look for options about saving your chat history.
- Watch for scams. If an urgent message asks for money or codes, stop and check another way. See our guide on spotting AI scams.
Common AI apps
The best-known ones are ChatGPT (by OpenAI), Gemini (by Google), Claude (by Anthropic), Microsoft Copilot, and Apple Intelligence on newer Apple devices. Many have a free version, which is plenty to get started. They are more alike than different, so pick one and try it.
How Sunday Tech Club helps
Sunday Tech Club is a small consulting firm specializing in AI. We help everyday people use AI confidently and safely, in plain English. Here’s what we offer:
- Prompts for You (free): tell us what you enjoy and get ready-to-use prompts for your life.
- Guides (free): short, plain-English how-tos.
- Newsletter: the Free Sunday Tip at no cost, or the full Sunday Issue (first month free, then $5/month).
- Club Workbooks: printable PDFs of fill-in-the-blank prompts, from $2.99.
We aren’t affiliated with any AI company, and nothing here is medical, legal, or financial advice.
Ready to try it?
Pick a few things you enjoy and we’ll give you prompts to copy and paste.