The Ultimate Personal Advisor
Chat GPT - FREE APP
Have you ever had a nagging question that you just couldn’t find the answer to? You’ve searched Google, asked your friends, and even watched some YouTube videos about your area of interest, but you still can’t find what you need.
What if you’re looking for inspiration? Perhaps you’re trying to be creative or get some work done but don’t know where to start. Or maybe you’re stuck trying to decide what to have for dinner, with limited ideas and not much in the fridge. These are some of the simplest ways ChatGPT can help you out.
Downloading the app is straightforward, and it’s completely free to use. Created by OpenAI, it’s known as a large language model specifically designed to sift through vast amounts of information from the internet, including documents, books, papers, and research, to provide you with information you might not find elsewhere. It’s definitely more advanced than a standard Google search.
Once you’ve downloaded the app, it will prompt you to “start a new chat” where you can enter your question or query. ChatGPT will respond almost immediately with relevant information. It has the capability of engaging in conversation, allowing you to continue the chat after its initial answer. You can ask it to expand on the topic, switch to a completely different subject, or delve deeper into the information it has provided.
Let me share some examples of how ChatGPT has helped my friends and family over the past six months.
One of my friends felt completely overwhelmed by daily life—unable to get organised, falling behind on basic tasks, and mentally and emotionally exhausted. After chatting with ChatGPT one Saturday morning, her whole world changed! Within 10 minutes of discussing her issues, how she felt, and what help she needed, ChatGPT created a comprehensive plan that she started implementing that day.
It felt like someone had helped lift the burden off her shoulders, allowing her to move forward again. ChatGPT covered five areas: prioritisation and time management, daily routine and efficiency hacks, self-care and mental health, delegation and support, and quick motivation boosts. It provided her with templates for time blocking her tasks, a weekly meal planner, and a habit tracker. It also suggested free apps for grocery shopping and calendar alerts, even connecting her with a local dog walking service. She felt empowered to take control of her day.
I’ve heard colleagues use it for legal issues, where they have copy and pasted information they received but didn’t understand and ask ChatGPT to explain it in simple terms. Chat GPT has even helped them craft a response they otherwise would not have been able to create.
I’ve witnessed ChatGPT settle arguments! It has been used for clarity during discussions in the pub on Sunday afternoons.
The possibilities are endless! I call it the Ultimate Personal Advisor because it can literally answer any question you have.
Download it and give it a try today.
Don’t worry about finding a conversation starter; just dive in and see where it takes you!
One of the great features of ChatGPT for those who dislike typing is its voice function, which allows you to record a message and receive a voice response. It has a daily free usage limit of 40 messages, which is plenty if you use your chats wisely.
You can opt for an upgraded version called ChatGPT Pro, but the free basic version is absolutely worth downloading on your phone or laptop.
Microsoft Co-pilot
Moving beyond ChatGPT, we have Microsoft Co-pilot, an integrated AI assistant that works seamlessly with all of your Microsoft apps. It advertises itself as "your companion to inform, entertain, and inspire."
When you first visit the homepage of Microsoft Co-pilot, it prompts you for your name or a preferred title. You can also choose a voice that suits you, and the assistant expresses a desire to get to know you better to assist you effectively in various situations. If you prefer, you can engage in a conversation by pressing the microphone button, allowing for back-and-forth discussions where you can clarify questions, learn new things, brainstorm ideas, and more. Beyond the practical benefits for everyday tasks, Co-pilot could also serve as a companion for those experiencing loneliness or challenges.
It's worth noting that there are limitations to the free version.
I asked Co-pilot for a brief description of how it can help people in everyday life, and here’s what it provided: "Co-pilot can help people in everyday life by being a versatile AI companion that assists with tasks, sparks creativity, and provides helpful insights. From managing schedules and writing emails to brainstorming ideas, answering questions, providing educational content, or even offering lighthearted banter, Co-pilot supports users in countless ways to make their lives easier and more enriched."
When I requested further elaboration, I received the following details: "Co-pilot is designed to be a helpful and versatile companion.
Here’s a more detailed look at its capabilities:
Productivity and Task Management - Assists with writing emails, documents, and reports. Helps organise thoughts and ideas for projects, presentations, or essays. Generates summaries, outlines, or structured content to improve workflow.
Research and Insights - Provides accurate and up-to-date information on a wide range of topics. Explains complex concepts in simple terms, making learning easier. Suggests creative solutions or perspectives for problem-solving.
Creativity and Personal Projects - Aids in brainstorming ideas for writing, art, and other creative endeavors. Creates poems, lyrics, and short stories based on user input. Suggests recipes, travel itineraries, or DIY projects tailored to your preferences.
Entertainment and Engagement - Engages in lighthearted chats, offering fun facts, jokes, or casual conversation. Recommends books, movies, and music based on your interests. Plays conversational games like trivia or story-building.
Multilingual Communication - Communicates fluently in various languages. Translates text or explains cultural nuances for cross-language understanding.
Specialised Tools - Analyses and describes uploaded images. Generates artistic graphics using AI for personalised visuals. Conducts web searches to provide precise and reliable answers.
Co-pilot acts as a blend of an assistant, collaborator, and conversational partner, aiming to make life simpler and more enjoyable. It offers capabilities that extend beyond a basic language model, while still being useful for everyday information.”
Google Gemini
Google Gemini is another fantastic FREE resource. When I first visited the webpage, I specifically asked about its capabilities, particularly how it could assist seniors in their daily lives.
Here’s what Gemini shared: I am Gemini, a large language model. I can do many things, including:
- Generating text: I can write stories, poems, articles, and even code.
- Translating languages: I can translate text between many different languages.
- Answering questions: I can provide summaries of factual topics or create stories.
- Summarising text: I can provide concise summaries of long pieces of text.
I am still under development, but I am learning new things every day. I hope to be a helpful resource for you.
Here are some specific ways I can help seniors:
Staying connected: I can help seniors stay in touch with their loved ones by writing emails, letters, and social media posts.
Learning new things: I can assist seniors in learning new skills and knowledge by providing information and resources.
Staying organised: I can help seniors remain organised by creating to-do lists, calendars, and reminders.
Finding assistance: I can help seniors locate the support they need by providing information about local resources and services. I believe I can be a valuable asset to seniors in many ways. I am still learning, but I am committed to offering the best possible support.
What I love about all three of these personal advisors is that you can ask them to simplify the information if it seems too complicated at first. You can make it work for you by considering what you require and how you need it presented in order to understand it.
Over time, developing your conversational skills with these apps and recognising how to utilise them for even the smallest inquiries will undoubtedly bring ease and enjoyment back into all our lives!
