What Is ChatGPT and How to Use It

What you will learn

In this guide, you will learn what ChatGPT is, how to access it, and how to have your first conversation with it. ChatGPT is an artificial intelligence tool that can answer questions, help you write messages, explain complex topics in simple words, and much more.

Think of it as a very patient assistant who is always available and never gets tired of your questions.

What you need

• A computer, tablet, or smartphone with internet access
• A web browser (Safari, Chrome, Firefox, or Edge)
• An email address (to create a free account)

Step-by-step instructions

Step 1: Open ChatGPT

Open your web browser and go to chat.openai.com. You can type this address in the bar at the top of your browser window.

You will see the ChatGPT homepage with a button to sign up or log in.

Step 2: Create your free account

Tap or click Sign up. You will need to enter:

• Your email address
• A password (choose something you will remember)

You can also sign up using your Google or Apple account if that is easier.

After signing up, check your email for a verification message and click the link inside it.

Step 3: Start a conversation

Once logged in, you will see a text box at the bottom of the screen. This is where you type your questions or requests. It says something like “Message ChatGPT.”

Type your first message. For example:

• “What is the weather like today?”
• “Explain what Wi-Fi is in simple terms”
• “Write a birthday message for my grandson”

Then press Enter or tap the send button.

Step 4: Read the response

ChatGPT will begin writing its response immediately. The text appears on the screen, sometimes word by word. Wait for it to finish before reading the full answer.

The response will appear in the same conversation, like a chat message.

Step 5: Ask follow-up questions

You can continue the conversation naturally. ChatGPT remembers what you discussed earlier in the same chat. For example:

• First message: “What are some easy dinner recipes?”
• Follow-up: “Can you give me the ingredients for the first one?”

Just type your next question in the text box and send it.

Step 6: Start a new conversation

If you want to talk about a completely different topic, tap the New chat button (usually at the top left of the screen). This starts a fresh conversation.

Your old conversations are saved in the sidebar on the left, so you can return to them later.

Step 7: Try useful everyday tasks

Here are some things you can ask ChatGPT to help you with:

• Write an email: “Help me write a polite email to cancel a doctor’s appointment”
• Explain something: “Explain what a podcast is, as if I have never heard of one”
• Translate text: “Translate ‘Where is the pharmacy?’ to Spanish”
• Get ideas: “What are some good gifts for a 10-year-old?”
• Summarize: “Summarize this article in 3 sentences” (then paste the article)

Tips

• Be specific. The more detail you give, the better the answer. Instead of “Tell me about dogs,” try “What are the best dog breeds for seniors living in apartments?”
• Ask it to simplify. If an answer is too complex, just say “Can you explain that more simply?”
• You can try again. If you do not like an answer, ask the same question in a different way, or say “Try again with a different approach.”
• It does not know everything. ChatGPT’s knowledge has a cutoff date and it cannot browse the internet in real time (unless you use the Plus version). For today’s news, use a regular search engine.