Does AI seem too complicated to bother with? Do you think that it can’t be helpful because you’re not a data analyst, writer, or programmer? Think again! There are some very simple ways that non-technical users can use AI to make their daily lives much easier. From finding new recipes to deciding what to wear when the weather changes, here are 11 ways that AI can make your life easier.
Finding New Recipes
Tired of the same old meals every week? ChatGPT and other AI tools can very quickly help you come up with new recipe ideas. You can tell it what you like and if there are dietary limitations. You can even tell it you only want recipe ideas that you can cook in less than 20 minutes. You can also generate a shopping list directly from the recipe so you know what to pick up at the grocery store.
Example prompt: “Give me 10 recipe ideas that include chicken and easy-to-find ingredients. The meal should only take 20 or so minutes to prepare and serve 4 people. I prefer to use the oven rather than the stovetop.“
Meal Planning
Similarly, you can use ChatGPT and other AI tools to help you plan meals for the week. You can even ask it to re-use some of the same ingredients to keep your shopping list to a minimum. Let the AI do the hard part here — you just tell it a limit and see what it comes up with. Remember, you can always say, “I don’t like that idea” and ask it to try again.
Example prompt: “Give me 5 meal ideas that include a protein like chicken or beef along with a healthy side dish. These meals should all be unique and easy to prepare and should use a lot of the same common ingredients. Please include a shopping list at the end in list form.“
Planning a Gathering
Planning a gathering or party can be overwhelming. If you’re anything like me, you are paranoid that you’ll forget something in all the chaos. This is where tools like ChatGPT can come in useful. Simply tell it what kind of gathering you are planning, where you’ll host it, and how many people are coming… then let it plan the details for you! It may not be exactly on the mark, but it will get you 90% there.
Example prompt: “I’m planning to host a baby shower for my daughter at my house. There will be approximately 15 people coming. I would like to provide some appetizers, cute decorations, and some fun group games to play to celebrate her becoming a mother. Please help me come up with ideas to host an inexpensive but memorable baby shower!“
Make a Packing List
Packing for a trip can be stressful, mostly because — once again — I fear that I’ll forget some important document or item. And if you are going somewhere you aren’t familiar with, then packing clothes can be extra challenging. ChaptGPT and other AI tools can help you make a packing list to cover everything you need. All you need to do is ask and then print it out!
Example prompt: “I’m traveling to Alaska for a 7 day visit with family. It will be summer and I’ll be staying in Anchorage. The forecast is calling for some chilly nights and a little rain. Can you help me generate a packing list for basic wardrobe that includes layers and rain protection? I also want a list of all the important documents and a reminder to pack my prescriptions. I need to be able to fit everything into one large suitcase and I can do some laundry there.”
Get Wardrobe Ideas
Heading into a new season and feeling like your current wardrobe has seen better days? Want to start fresh or just add some new essentials to your daily outfits? ChaptGPT can help you figure out what kinds of clothing to buy to get the most use out of. It can even help you match colors and styles together, which is super useful for those of us who don’t like trying to plan mix-and-match wardrobes.
Example prompt: “I am a middle-aged man who wants a new wardrobe for the fall and winter. I like jeans and hoodies, but I want to mix things up a bit this year and look more business casual. I’d like to keep my spending budget limited, so please help me match some styles and colors to maximize the number of outfits I can wear from a handful of new clothing articles. I need long pants, long-sleeved shirts, a coat, and some new footwear to match. Keep it basic and give me some ideas for my shopping list.”
Quick Translation Help
ChatGPT and other AI tools are pretty great at quickly translating text from one language to another. All you need to do is paste in the foreign language that you are trying to figure out and it will do the rest. Beyond foreign languages, you can also use ChatGPT to translate “kid speak” when your grandkids text you a phrase that you have never heard before.
Example prompt: “Please translate the following into English: ” and then paste in the text you need to be translated.
Learn a New Hobby or Craft
Not only can ChatGPT and other AI tools suggest some new hobbies or crafts based on your interests, they can also give you a step-by-step guide of how to learn them and what tools or equipment you need to do it! Can be incredibly convenient to get started learning a new hobby or craft. Sure, at some point, you may want to take an actual class or talk to professionals, but AI can get you moving in the right direction.
Example prompt: “I would like to learn how to carve small wooden figures. What kinds of tools would I need to get started and what kinds of beginner projects would be suitable for me?”
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Make a Workout Routine
Are you looking to get more active but not sure where to start? Well, ChatGPT certainly cannot replace the advice of a doctor, but it can help you start creating some simple workout routines that are customized to exactly what you want to accomplish. Want to build muscle? Increase mobility? Or maybe you just want a solid morning stretching routine — no matter what, AI can get you heading in the right direction.
Example prompt: “I am a 50-year-old desk worker and I wake up feeling stiff every morning. Can you develop a daily morning stretching routine that focuses on my hips and lower back? I’m just beginning and want to make sure I slowly progress towards better flexibility.”
Related: 15 Exercises You Can Do Anywhere to Transform Your Body
Gift Suggestions
Coming up with gift ideas can be really hard, especially when it’s for an acquaintance or an extended family member that you don’t talk to often. ChatGPT and other AI tools can generate nearly endless ideas for gifts with just a few details in the prompt. Whether it’s a birthday gift or a retirement gift or anything in between, this is a practical use of AI that can help you save a lot of brain power in a pinch.
Example prompt: “My colleague is retiring and I want to give him a small going away gift. He is an accountant but I know he loves gardening and always brought in fresh veggies to share with the group. Can you help me come up with some thoughtful gift ideas?”
Related: 10 Perfect Gifts for People Impossible to Shop For
Summarize Long Articles
Do you need to quickly understand the information inside of a long article you found online? One simple way to help drill down information is to copy and paste the article into ChatGPT or tools like NotebookLM and then simply ask questions. AI will examine the document and give you the relevant information. It can also just produce a short summary in list format.
Example prompt: “Look at the article I am pasting in under this question and please summarize the main points into 3 or 4 bullets with very brief descriptions. If I have further questions about the content, I will ask.” Then simply paste the article after you question and hit Enter!
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Get Gardening Ideas
Not sure what to grow in your new hobby garden? Or maybe you want some ideas for your flower bed out front to change things up next Spring? ChatGPT and other AI tools are a great resource, especially if you take the time to describe your location or soil type (if you had it tested).
Example prompt: “I live in southern Nevada and want to add some color to my front flower beds this spring. What flowers would you recommend would add a pop of color but not require much shade or water to thrive?”
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