Five Ways to Get Started with Artificial Intelligence
Jun 17, 2025
Today we share five friendly steps to help you confidently start using AI tools in your everyday life. Whether you’re trying to return to the workforce, explore remote work, or simply keep up with technology, these tips will help you build confidence and avoid feeling overwhelmed.
We believe that the key to getting better with AI is to practice. You don’t need to become a tech wizard overnight—you just need to get curious, stay consistent, and start with what you already do. Let’s walk through the five steps outlined here to help you build AI into your routine and life.
- Start with Curiosity, Not Complexity
A lot of people are afraid to start using AI because it sounds too technical. But we encourage you to approach it with curiosity—think of it like an exploration. Don’t get bogged down by trying to “understand everything” about AI. Just pick something you already do and ask AI to help you with it. That’s where the fun begins.
- Try Chat-Based AI Tools
You don’t need to open a computer to use AI—just grab your phone and use the microphone icon in a chat-based app like ChatGPT. Talk to it like you’re asking a friend for help. You can ask AI to help with tasks like making decisions, writing notes, or brainstorming ideas. The more natural your conversation, the more helpful AI becomes.
- Use AI for Things You Already Do
If you already make a grocery list each week or follow a workout plan, use AI to help automate and improve those tasks. For example, let AI remember your favorite grocery items so you don’t have to start from scratch every time. Or ask it to create a weekly meal or fitness plan based on your preferences. When you repeat tasks like this, you train the AI to get smarter and more helpful for you—almost like having your own assistant.
- Use AI Built into Tools You Already Have
You don’t need to find brand-new software—many programs already have AI built in.
- Microsoft Word: If you’re a Microsoft user, try out Copilot. It can help you find lost documents or recall emails you wrote long ago.
- Gmail: Use Smart Compose to write quicker and more confidently.
- Canva: Explore AI image generation by typing in a description, like “a Doberman catching a ball in the park,” and let Canva create it for you.
The benefit of using built-in tools is that you’re already familiar with them, which makes learning the AI features feel less intimidating.
- Practice Giving Better Prompts
Prompts are the instructions you give AI—and the better your prompt, the better the result. Here is a helpful structure called the Prompt Sandwich:
- Context: Who you are and what you want.
- Command: What you want AI to do.
- Format: How you want the output to look.
Example prompt:
“I’m a retired teacher transitioning to remote work offering freelance writing services. Please write a two-paragraph email introducing me to a potential client. Include that I have 10 years of freelance writing experience, and I specialize in health and wellness.”
When you add specific details, AI can tailor its responses to be far more useful. Think of it like talking to a friend over coffee—give enough background so the advice makes sense.
Key Takeaways:
- Don’t overthink it—start with curiosity and simple tasks.
- Use chat-based tools and voice-to-text to make AI feel approachable.
- Apply AI to everyday tasks like meal planning or to-do lists to practice.
- Explore AI features in tools you already use (like Word, Gmail, or Canva).
- Learn to write better prompts with clear context, commands, and formatting.
Final Thoughts:
If you want to get better at using AI, the key is consistency. Start with just 20 minutes a week. Then build toward using it daily. Before long, it’ll become second nature—something you use without even thinking about it.
Using AI can save you time, improve your skills, and even boost your confidence in the workplace. Whether you're preparing for a new remote job, launching a freelance service, or just trying to keep up with tech, AI can be your everyday helper.
Host Camille Attell is a remote work strategist, career coach, and the host of The Remote Work Retirement Show. After leaving a 20-year corporate career, she transitioned to a flexible, location-independent lifestyle and has since helped thousands of professionals do the same. Through her Remote Work School program, Camille empowers mid-career professionals and retirees to find meaningful remote work opportunities, build financial security, and design a work-life on their own terms.
Take her FREE remote work training:
www.camilleattell.com/remote-training
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