How do I get started with A.I. ?
- Jurgen Schwanitz
- Jul 23
- 3 min read
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer just for tech giants or computer scientists—it’s becoming a daily tool for business owners, students, marketers, and everyday users. The good news? You don’t need a big budget or technical expertise to start using AI today. There are free, powerful, and beginner-friendly tools that can save you time, boost productivity, and simplify your life.
So if you’ve been wondering, “How do I actually start using AI?”—this guide will walk you through it.
Step 1: Identify Your Goal
Before jumping into tools, first ask:What do I want to accomplish with AI?
Here are some common goals:
Automate repetitive tasks
Write or rewrite emails, ads, and blog posts
Generate images or marketing content
Analyze data or get summaries of articles
Improve customer service or communication
Create videos or digital presentations
Having a clear objective will help you choose the right AI tools from the start.
Step 2: Try These Free AI Tools (No Credit Card Required)
🔹 1. ChatGPT (Free Plan by OpenAI)
Use it for: Writing, research, brainstorming, code help, email draftingWebsite: https://chat.openai.comWhy it’s great: ChatGPT can act like a helpful assistant that answers questions, rewrites text, or generates new content with just a simple prompt.
🔹 2. Microsoft Copilot (formerly Bing AI)
Use it for: Internet-based answers, summarizing websites, generating text or imagesWebsite: https://bing.com (use with Microsoft Edge)Why it’s great: It’s free and pulls real-time information from the web, unlike the free version of ChatGPT, which is trained on older data.
🔹 3. Google Gemini (formerly Bard)
Use it for: Research, idea generation, and integration with Google Docs and GmailWebsite: https://gemini.google.comWhy it’s great: Seamlessly ties into your Google Workspace for writing and productivity.
🔹 4. Grammarly (Free Tier)
Use it for: Grammar correction, tone adjustment, rewriting and simplifying textWebsite: https://www.grammarly.comWhy it’s great: Perfect for professional writing, emails, or blog posts. It uses AI to suggest clearer, more effective ways to say what you mean.
🔹 5. Canva AI Tools (Magic Write + AI Image Generator)
Use it for: Social media graphics, posters, flyers, and presentationsWebsite: https://www.canva.comWhy it’s great: Great for visual marketing. AI writes the content and generates design ideas, even if you have zero design skills.
🔹 6. Notion AI (Free tier with limitations)
Use it for: Summarizing notes, drafting meeting agendas, organizing tasksWebsite: https://www.notion.soWhy it’s great: Combines project management with smart AI features to streamline your workday.
🔹 7. D-ID (AI Video Generator)
Use it for: Turning written text into talking-head videosWebsite: https://studio.d-id.comWhy it’s great: You can create professional-looking video presentations from a script in minutes—great for marketing or training.
🔹 8. Poe by Quora
Use it for: Accessing multiple AI chatbots in one platform (GPT-4, Claude, etc.)Website: https://poe.comWhy it’s great: You can test different AI models side-by-side and find which one you prefer.
Step 3: Start Small and Build Confidence
Don’t overwhelm yourself. Pick one tool that fits your need and test it with a simple task:
Ask ChatGPT to write an email to a customer.
Use Canva AI to create a quick social media graphic.
Try Grammarly on your next blog or email draft.
Have Google Gemini summarize a long article for you.
Once you experience the time savings and quality improvements, you’ll naturally want to explore more.
Step 4: Keep Learning and Stay Updated
AI is advancing rapidly, and new tools are emerging all the time. Stay informed by:
Subscribing to newsletters like The Rundown AI or Future Tools
Watching YouTube channels like Matt Wolfe or Ali Abdaal
Following Reddit threads like r/ChatGPT, r/Artificial, and r/AItools
Most importantly, keep experimenting. AI rewards curiosity.
✅ Final Thoughts: You Don’t Have to Be a Tech Expert
Getting started with AI today is like learning how to use a smartphone or the internet years ago—it's becoming a basic skill.
You don’t need to know how it works behind the scenes. You just need to:
Know what you want to achieve
Try a tool that fits your goal
Learn from the results
AI is the most powerful productivity upgrade available right now—and most of it is free. The best way to prepare for the future is to start exploring it today.
Want help choosing the right AI tools for your business or personal workflow? I’d be happy to create a personalized guide—just let me know your goals!
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