10 Surprisingly Useful Things You Can Do With Free AI Right Now
Artificial intelligence seems to appear in the news almost daily. Depending on the headline, it's either about to transform the world or destroy it.
In reality, the most interesting thing about modern AI tools is how ordinary their best uses are.
Tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Google Gemini are freely available, run in a web browser, and don't require technical expertise. Used sensibly, they can act like a patient assistant who helps you think through problems, explain confusing information, and organise your thoughts.
Over the past few months I've shown a number of Marple Tech Help clients how to use these tools for everyday tasks. The reaction is usually the same: "I didn't realise it could do that."
Here are ten genuinely useful things you can try today.
In this guide you'll see how AI can help you:
- Understand confusing letters, jargon, and official documents
- Write clearer emails, complaints, and messages
- Think through difficult conversations before you have them
- Use AI safely for everyday family tasks like homework and planning
- 1. Turn a confusing letter into plain English
- 2. Write a complaint that sounds calm and professional
- 3. Translate medical or hospital jargon
- 4. Prepare for a difficult conversation
- 5. Turn messy notes into something clear
- 6. Create a meal from whatever is in the fridge
- 7. Identify something from a photo
- 8. Draft something heartfelt
- 9. Help a child understand homework
- 10. Prepare before calling a company
- Getting Started
1. Turn a confusing letter into plain English
Many official letters are written in language that's difficult to follow.
Instead of reading the same paragraph repeatedly, paste the text into an AI assistant and ask:
"Can you explain what this letter is actually saying in plain English?"
It will usually summarise the key points, highlight any deadlines, and explain what action you might need to take.
This works particularly well with letters from insurers, solicitors, councils, or HMRC. It won't give legal advice, but it can make the meaning much clearer.
Tech tip: If the letter is long, paste only the important paragraphs and ask: "Please summarise the key points and tell me what action is required." This usually produces a much clearer explanation.
2. Write a complaint that sounds calm and professional
Writing a complaint email is harder than it should be. Most people either sound too apologetic or understandably frustrated.
AI tends to land somewhere sensible in the middle.
Describe the situation and the outcome you want, for example:
"A plumber didn't finish the job and hasn't returned my calls. Can you help me write a formal complaint asking for the work to be completed or refunded?"
You'll usually get a well-structured draft that sounds firm, clear, and professional. You can then adjust it before sending.
Tech tip: If the response sounds too formal or too American, simply ask: "Please rewrite this in a friendly British tone." AI is very good at adjusting tone when asked.
3. Translate medical or hospital jargon
Hospital letters are usually written for clinicians rather than patients, which means they often contain unfamiliar terminology.
If you paste in the medical terms and ask for a plain-English explanation, AI can usually clarify what they mean and what the letter is describing.
Tech tip: It's best to remove personal details first. Names, addresses, and NHS numbers aren't necessary for understanding the terminology.
If something in a medical letter concerns you, it's always best to speak directly with your GP or consultant, but having a clearer understanding beforehand can make appointments far less intimidating.
4. Prepare for a difficult conversation
One surprisingly thoughtful use of AI is helping you plan how to approach delicate conversations.
For example:
"I need to tell my elderly dad that I'm worried about his driving. He's proud and I don't want to upset him. How should I approach it?"
The responses are often sensible and balanced, offering ideas about tone, timing, and phrasing.
It doesn't replace human judgement, but it can help you think things through before saying something important.
5. Turn messy notes into something clear
If you've ever taken hurried notes during a phone call or meeting, you'll know how hard they can be to turn into something readable afterwards.
Paste your notes into an AI assistant and ask:
"Can you turn these into a short summary or tidy bullet points?"
It can quickly organise scattered thoughts into something structured.
This is particularly useful for volunteers in community groups, committee members, or anyone who regularly needs to follow up conversations with a clear email.
6. Create a meal from whatever is in the fridge
Instead of scrolling through recipe websites, you can simply tell an AI what ingredients you have available.
For example:
"I have leftover roast chicken, pasta, a lemon, and some cherry tomatoes. What can I cook for dinner?"
You'll receive a recipe tailored to exactly what you have. You can also ask it to adapt the dish:
- "Make it vegetarian"
- "Nothing spicy"
- "Something quick for a weeknight"
It's often faster than searching for recipes yourself.
7. Identify something from a photo
Most modern AI assistants allow you to upload photos directly into the conversation.
You can ask questions such as:
- "What does this warning light on my car dashboard mean?"
- "What plant is this in my garden?"
- "Which way round does this part go in this flat-pack chair?"
For everyday identification tasks it can be surprisingly effective.
8. Draft something heartfelt when the words won't come
Some of the most meaningful things we write are also the hardest to start: a sympathy message, a thank-you note, or a short tribute.
AI can help by turning a few bullet points into a gentle draft that you can then adapt into your own words.
Most people still edit heavily, but having something to react to makes the process much easier than starting with a blank page.
9. Help a child understand homework without giving them the answer
One of the most genuinely useful uses for AI is as a patient tutor.
As a former teacher, I'm particularly interested in how tools like this can support learning rather than replace it.
If a child is stuck on a problem, you can paste the question into an AI assistant and ask something like:
"My 11-year-old is struggling with this. Please don't give the answer — explain how they should approach it."
AI is very good at breaking down concepts step by step and explaining them in simpler language. You can also ask it to adjust the level:
- "Explain this for a Year 6 student."
- "Give another example like this one."
It can be a helpful extra pair of teaching hands at home.
Tech tip: If you're helping a child, ask the AI not to give the answer, for example: "Explain how to solve this step-by-step without giving the final answer." This keeps the focus on learning rather than shortcuts.
10. Prepare before calling a company
Many people dread calling broadband providers or insurers because they're not sure what questions to ask.
AI can help you prepare before you make the call.
For example:
"My broadband provider has increased my monthly price. What questions should I ask before agreeing to anything?"
You'll usually receive a checklist of sensible questions — such as asking about retention deals, contract length, or alternative tariffs.
Having that short list in front of you often makes the call much easier.
Getting started
Three of the most widely used free AI tools are:
All offer free accounts that are more than capable for everyday use.
Guidelines for safe use
- Avoid sharing sensitive personal information such as bank details or NHS numbers.
- AI can occasionally be wrong, so treat it as a helpful starting point rather than a final authority.
- Everything it produces is a draft. You remain in control of what you use.
A final thought
Despite the dramatic headlines, the most useful applications of AI tend to be very small and practical.
Understanding a confusing letter, organising your thoughts, or preparing for a tricky conversation might not sound revolutionary. But when a tool quietly saves you time and removes friction from everyday tasks, it can make life a little easier.
If you'd like a calm one-to-one introduction to AI, you can book a Tech Confidence Session.
Tech tip: If you're not sure what to ask an AI tool, start with:
- "Help me understand…"
- "Explain this simply…"
- "What would you suggest in this situation?"
Those three prompts work surprisingly well.
Key takeaways
- AI works best when you give it clear context and a specific task.
- It’s excellent for explaining, drafting, and organising ideas, but you should still review the results.
- Avoid sharing sensitive personal information such as bank details, passwords, or NHS numbers.
Want a guided introduction to AI?
If you are curious about tools like ChatGPT but aren't sure where to start, I offer patient, 1-to-1 introductions to help you use them safely and effectively.
No jargon. No pressure. Just practical, independent help.
