Your first chat, in 5 minutes

The short answer

Pick one chatbot, type a question the way you’d text a friend, keep the conversation going, and check anything important. That’s it. No special words or skills needed.

1Pick a chatbot

2Ask in plain words

3Ask a follow-up

4Check what matters

Step 1: Pick a chatbot

Any of these four is fine for a first try. Don’t worry about choosing the “best” one.

• ChatGPT (by OpenAI): go to chatgpt.com or get the ChatGPT app. You can try it without an account. ^[2] Age 13+; ages 13–17 need a parent’s permission. ^[1]
• Gemini (by Google): go to gemini.google.com or get the Gemini app. Some features work without signing in; a Google account unlocks more. Age 13+ (higher in some countries). ^[3]
• Copilot (by Microsoft): go to copilot.microsoft.com or get the Copilot app. A Microsoft account gives you the full experience. Age 13+ (higher in some countries). ^[4]
• Claude (by Anthropic): go to claude.ai or get the Claude app. Needs a free account. Age 18+. ^[5]

Easiest start: ChatGPT or Gemini, because you can try them without signing up. If you like it, you can make a free account later so your chats are saved.

Step 2: Ask your first question

Click in the message box at the bottom of the screen, type your question in everyday words, and press Enter (or tap the arrow).

For example:

I have chicken, rice and spinach. What’s an easy dinner for two?

You’ll see the answer appear a few words at a time. That’s normal: the chatbot writes its reply piece by piece.

Step 3: Ask a follow-up

Here’s what makes a chatbot different from a search engine: it remembers the conversation. You don’t have to start over. Just reply:

Make it a bit spicier, and give me the steps as a numbered list.

You can keep going as long as you like: “Shorter, please.” “What can I use instead of rice?” “Explain that last step again.”

Step 4: Check what matters

Chatbots are helpful, but they make best guesses and can be wrong while sounding sure. A good habit:

• Everyday things (recipes, ideas, rewording an email): use your own common sense.
• Important things (health, money, legal, safety): check with a trusted source, like an official website or a professional, before acting on the answer.