As generative AI tools become more advanced and accessible, they’re quickly becoming invaluable assets for productivity, learning, and everyday problem-solving. If you’re only using AI for basic queries, you might be missing out on some powerful capabilities. Here are some innovative and less commonly used methods that I’ve found to be genuinely helpful for saving time and boosting efficiency.
1. Identify the Right Medicine for Symptoms
If you’re feeling unwell, AI can help identify the most suitable medication. Snap a photo of all your medicine blister packs, then describe your symptoms to AI. With this approach, ChatGPT or similar tools can quickly sift through potential options and suggest the best medication based on your symptoms.
Example: Upload an image of a few cold and flu medications you have on hand and ask, “Which one would help with fever and congestion?”
2. Reduce Hallucinations with Web Verification
Generative AI sometimes produces confident but inaccurate answers, known as “hallucinations.” A helpful trick to improve accuracy is to end your query with, “Do a web search and then reply.” This encourages the AI to verify its information with a real-time web search, resulting in more reliable responses.
Example: “What’s the latest news on the LLaMA language model? Do a web search and then reply.”
3. Use the Feynman Technique for Deeper Learning
The Feynman Technique is a proven method for solidifying your understanding of a concept by teaching it in simple terms. After asking AI to explain a concept, try summarizing it back to the AI in your own words. Finish with, “Correct?” to receive feedback. This active approach not only improves retention but also deepens comprehension.
Example: After learning about quantum computing, summarize it to the AI as, “Quantum computing uses principles of quantum mechanics to process complex computations in parallel. Correct?”
4. Convert Photos to Text Effortlessly
For on-the-go text extraction from images, ChatGPT’s image recognition and transcription capabilities are remarkably convenient. Take a photo of any text (such as notes or printed documents), and let AI handle the rest. This can be especially useful for capturing text from business cards, handouts, or receipts quickly.
Example: Snap a picture of a printed schedule and ask, “Can you convert this to text so I can add it to my calendar?”
5. Embrace the Power of TL;DR (Too Long; Didn’t Read)
For everyday information overload, the TL;DR prompt is a lifesaver. Use this with AI to summarize code, emails, articles, news, or book pages into concise overviews. This enables you to keep up with extensive information in a short amount of time.
Example: Paste in a long email and ask, “Can you summarize this email’s key points?”
6. Learn New Concepts with the Pareto Principle
Applying the Pareto Principle (80/20 rule) to learning allows you to focus on the most impactful parts of any topic. Ask the AI to “Use the Pareto Principle to create a course for me on [topic],” and it will help you grasp the essentials efficiently.
Example: “I want to learn basic graphic design. Use the Pareto Principle to teach me the most important parts.”
7. Get Tailored Movie Recommendations
If you’re a film buff, AI can act as a personalized movie concierge. Instead of wading through endless lists, ask AI to recommend films based on specific genres, actors, or languages you enjoy, and specify a spoiler-free summary to ensure you’re not given too much detail.
Example: “Suggest a good thriller with minimal spoilers, starring [favorite actor].”
8. Bypass SEO with Direct Web Searches
Sometimes, sifting through SEO-optimized articles isn’t ideal. Asking ChatGPT or another AI tool to conduct a direct search can help filter out fluff and find highly relevant information more quickly than a traditional search engine.
Example: “Search the web for unbiased reviews of the latest iPhone model and provide a summary.”
9. Receive Constructive Feedback on Your Work
For an objective assessment of your work, ask AI to “rate” it and suggest improvements. This can be applied to everything from articles to code, allowing you to pinpoint areas for refinement without needing another person’s input.
Example: After pasting in a draft, ask, “Rate this article on clarity, structure, and engagement, and suggest specific ways I can improve each area.”
10. Get Concise, Key-Packed Answers
If you find the AI’s responses are too lengthy, you can refine the prompt to include, “Give brief, clear answers that include all key details. Be concise but informative.” This ensures responses are straightforward without sacrificing substance.
Example: “Explain blockchain technology. Give brief, clear answers that include all key details.”
11. Use Incognito Mode for Sensitive Queries
When privacy is a priority, enable the “Incognito” or temporary chat feature in ChatGPT. With this setting, your conversations won’t be saved, and your data won’t be used for model training. This is particularly useful when discussing sensitive information or testing prompts you may not want to be stored.
Example: When discussing proprietary or personal matters, activate the temporary chat option.
Conclusion
There are countless ways to integrate AI tools into daily routines to make life easier and more productive. These suggestions are just a starting point—feel free to experiment with your own creative applications of AI. Have any unique ideas that others might not have tried yet? Share them in the comments to help everyone get the most out of generative AI!
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