✺ AI Family Cheat Sheet

The 5-minute setup

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If you've never used an AI app before, this is the fastest way in. You don't need to read every page on this site to start. You need to install one thing and try one thing. Do those in the next ten minutes.

Step 1 — Pick ONE app (don't agonize)

There are several great AI apps. They're all about the same for family use. The mistake is spending an hour comparing them instead of just picking one. Pick one and try it for a week. You can always switch later.

Step 2 — Install it on your phone

For most people, the phone app is the easiest way to use AI day-to-day. Have it open. Use it while you're cooking, walking, in line at the store. That's where the value compounds.

  1. 1

    Open your app store

    App Store on iPhone, Google Play on Android.

  2. 2

    Search for the exact name

    Type 'ChatGPT' or 'Claude'. Watch out for knockoffs — the real ChatGPT is by 'OpenAI' and the real Claude is by 'Anthropic'. The publisher name is the giveaway. Don't download anything else.

  3. 3

    Install and open it

    Free download. No payment required to use the basics.

  4. 4

    Sign up

    You can use email + password, or sign in with Google/Apple. Either is fine. Use a strong password if you go email route. Set up Face ID if it offers.

Step 3 — Or use it on your computer

No install needed. Just open your browser and go to:

Same sign-in as your phone. Same conversations — they sync. Bookmark the page.

Step 4 — Try these three things in your first 5 minutes

Don't sit and think about what to ask. Just paste these in, one at a time. You'll feel the difference within a minute.

  1. Have it explain something you've always meant to understand.
    "Explain how a Roth IRA works like I'm smart but never took finance. Skip the jargon. Use a real-life example."
  2. Have it help you write a message you've been putting off.
    "Help me write a polite text declining an invitation I don't want to go to, without sounding cold or making up an excuse."
  3. Throw a real problem at it.
    "I have chicken thighs, a bag of spinach, and rice in the pantry. What's a good dinner I can make in under 30 minutes? Walk me through it."

Step 5 — Privacy basics (read once, remember forever)

AI apps remember what you tell them. The companies use chats to improve the system unless you opt out. Use common sense — same as anything you type online.

Don't paste in:

  • Passwords, social security numbers, full credit-card numbers
  • Other people's private info without their okay (medical, financial, anything sensitive)
  • Anything from work that your employer would consider confidential

If you want extra privacy for a specific chat:

  • ChatGPT: tap the chat header → "Temporary Chat". That conversation won't be saved or used for training.
  • Claude: in Settings → Privacy, you can opt out of having your chats used to improve the model.

Step 6 — Where to go next

You're up and running. Now come back here whenever you have a real situation. Best paths:

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