Artificial intelligence tools have gone from experimental curiosities to essential everyday software in a remarkably short time. If you have been hearing about AI tools like ChatGPT, Midjourney, and GitHub Copilot but are not sure where to start, this guide is for you.
We will explain what AI tools actually are, how they work at a high level, and walk you through getting started with the best options for beginners in every major category.
What Are AI Tools?
AI tools are software applications that use artificial intelligence and machine learning models to help you complete tasks more efficiently. Instead of following rigid, pre-programmed rules, these tools can understand natural language, generate creative content, analyze data, and adapt to your specific needs.
Here are the main categories of AI tools you will encounter:
- AI Assistants (ChatGPT, Claude): General-purpose tools that can write, answer questions, analyze documents, brainstorm ideas, and much more
- AI Writing Tools (Jasper, Copy.ai): Specialized tools for creating marketing copy, blog posts, social media content, and other written materials
- AI Image Generators (Midjourney, DALL-E): Tools that create images from text descriptions
- AI Coding Assistants (GitHub Copilot, Cursor): Tools that help developers write code faster
- AI Video Tools (Runway, Synthesia): Tools for creating and editing video content
- AI Research Tools (Perplexity AI): Tools that help you find and synthesize information from the web
Getting Started: Your First AI Tool
If you have never used an AI tool before, we recommend starting with a general-purpose AI assistant. These are the most versatile and require no technical knowledge to use.
Step 1: Choose Your First Assistant
The two best options for beginners are:
ChatGPT by OpenAI is the most popular AI assistant in the world. It has a clean, simple interface and handles a wide range of tasks well. The free tier gives you access to a capable model that is more than enough to get started.
Claude by Anthropic is known for producing high-quality, thoughtful responses. It is particularly good at writing and analysis. Like ChatGPT, it offers a generous free tier.
Both are excellent choices. Pick whichever appeals to you and sign up for a free account.
Step 2: Start with Simple Tasks
Once you have access, start with straightforward requests to get a feel for how AI assistants work:
- Ask a question: "What are the main differences between Python and JavaScript?"
- Request a summary: "Summarize the key points of [paste an article]"
- Get writing help: "Write a professional email declining a meeting invitation"
- Brainstorm ideas: "Give me 10 blog post ideas about sustainable living"
- Explain a concept: "Explain blockchain technology in simple terms"
Step 3: Learn to Write Better Prompts
The quality of the output you get from AI tools depends heavily on the quality of your input. Here are some tips for writing effective prompts:
- Be specific: Instead of "Write about dogs," try "Write a 300-word guide about the best dog breeds for apartment living, focusing on size, temperament, and exercise needs."
- Provide context: Tell the AI who the audience is, what tone to use, and what format you want.
- Give examples: If you want a specific style, paste an example and say "Write something similar to this."
- Iterate: If the first output is not quite right, give feedback and ask the AI to revise. "Make this more casual" or "Add more specific data points" are perfectly valid follow-ups.
Exploring Different Categories
Once you are comfortable with a general AI assistant, you may want to explore tools designed for specific tasks.
For Writing and Content Creation
If you regularly create content for marketing, social media, or blogs, consider trying Jasper. It is designed specifically for marketing content and offers templates for common content types like ad copy, product descriptions, and email campaigns. Jasper also includes a brand voice feature that keeps your content consistent.
For casual writing improvement, your general AI assistant (ChatGPT or Claude) will handle most needs without requiring a separate subscription.
For Image Creation
If you need to create images and do not have design skills, Midjourney is the leading AI image generator. It produces beautiful, artistic images from text descriptions. The learning curve is slightly steeper since it operates through Discord, but the results are worth it.
Alternatively, if you use ChatGPT Plus, you already have access to DALL-E for image generation directly within the chat interface, which is the easiest way to get started with AI images.
For Research
Perplexity AI is a fantastic tool for anyone who spends time researching topics online. Think of it as a smarter search engine that reads sources for you and provides summarized answers with citations. The free tier is very capable, and it is an excellent complement to a general AI assistant.
For Coding
If you are learning to code or already write software, GitHub Copilot integrates directly into your code editor and suggests completions as you type. It can significantly speed up your coding workflow and is also a great learning tool since you can see how it approaches problems.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
As you start using AI tools, keep these pitfalls in mind:
- Do not trust output blindly. AI tools can produce incorrect information confidently. Always verify important facts, especially for professional or academic work.
- Do not share sensitive information. Avoid pasting confidential data, passwords, or proprietary business information into AI tools unless you understand their data handling policies.
- Do not expect perfection on the first try. AI tools work best as collaborative partners. Plan to review and refine the output rather than using it as-is.
- Do not pay for premium plans immediately. Start with free tiers to determine which tools actually fit your workflow before committing to subscriptions.
How Much Do AI Tools Cost?
The good news is that most AI tools offer generous free tiers. Here is a quick pricing overview:
- ChatGPT: Free (Plus at $20/mo for advanced features)
- Claude: Free (Pro at $20/mo for higher limits)
- Perplexity AI: Free (Pro at $20/mo for unlimited searches)
- Midjourney: Starting at $10/mo (no free tier currently)
- GitHub Copilot: $10/mo (free for students and open-source contributors)
- Jasper: Starting at $49/mo (7-day free trial)
For most beginners, you can get significant value from free tiers alone. We recommend spending at least 2-4 weeks with free versions before upgrading.
A Simple Starter Workflow
Here is a practical workflow that combines AI tools effectively:
- Research your topic using Perplexity AI to gather information and sources
- Draft your content using ChatGPT or Claude, providing the research as context
- Create visuals using Midjourney or DALL-E if your content needs images
- Review and edit the output yourself, adding your personal expertise and voice
This workflow leverages AI for the time-consuming parts (research, first drafts, visuals) while keeping you in control of quality and accuracy.
Next Steps
Now that you understand the AI tool landscape, here is your action plan:
- Sign up for ChatGPT or Claude (both free) and spend a week using it daily
- Try Perplexity AI for your next research task
- Explore one specialized tool in your area of interest
- Check our reviews for detailed breakdowns of each tool mentioned in this guide
The most important thing is to simply start. AI tools are intuitive to use, and you will quickly develop an understanding of what they can and cannot do well. Welcome to the world of AI-assisted productivity.