AI field guide

Get more out of AI,
and stay sharp

What to use it for, how to ask, and what to check. Practical guides for students and professionals, with sources you can open.

Start with the basicsSee all ten guides

What do you want to do?

Instead of “Explain photosynthesis.”

Try this

Be my tutor on photosynthesis. I am in Year 12. Ask me one question at a time and do not give the answer until I have tried.

Then check Test yourself later with the tool closed. Students who leaned on plain GPT-4 did worse once it was gone.

Instead of “Write an email to my manager.”

Try this

Here are my notes: [paste notes]. Draft a 150-word email asking my manager to move the deadline. Friendly and direct. List anything you assumed.

Then check Read it aloud, then fix anything untrue or unlike you.

Instead of “Fix my code.”

Try this

This function fails on empty input: [paste code and error]. Explain the cause, then suggest the smallest fix and a test for it.

Then check Run the test, and review the change like a stranger's pull request.

Instead of “Tell me about remote work.”

Try this

Summarise what studies say about remote work and productivity. Separate strong evidence from weak, link every source, and say what you are unsure about.

Then check Open every link. A lawyer was sanctioned for citing cases that turned out to be fabricated.

Instead of “Is this a good plan?”

Try this

Here is my plan: [paste plan]. Give me the three strongest reasons it could fail, and what you would ask me before approving it.

Then check Make the call yourself, because you know things the tool does not.

Ten short guides

In three groups. Start at the top if you are new.

Start here

The habits and setup that make every other guide work.

Build with AI

Code and websites, with a way to check the result.

Use it responsibly

Data, security, work and the rules of your field.

Where AI has really helped

40% less timeon writing tasks for 453 professionals, with quality up 18%.Set tasks in an experiment.34% more resolvedper hour by novice support agents using an AI assistant.Experienced agents saw minimal change.55.8% fasteron one coding task for programmers using GitHub Copilot.GitHub staff co-wrote it, and code quality was not studied.More in less timelearned by college students with a custom AI tutor than in an active class.A purpose-built tutor, not a general chatbot.

Three rules for using it wisely

  • Stay in charge

    You own the result, so check names, numbers and sources before you use them.

  • Keep your skills

    Try first and practise alone. Students who leaned on plain GPT-4 did 17% worse once it was gone.

  • Protect what is not yours

    Keep confidential data out of tools you have not been cleared to use. Samsung reportedly restricted AI after staff pasted in code.