Tutorial 25
Learn how to find trustworthy information, compare options, and make better decisions with AI—without spending hours searching the internet.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this tutorial you will be able to:
- Use AI to research any topic.
- Ask better research questions.
- Compare products and services.
- Summarise long articles.
- Understand complicated subjects.
- Save hours of internet searching.
- Recognise when AI should be double-checked.
Introduction
Many retirees spend hours searching Google for answers.
Unfortunately, they often end up opening dozens of websites and become more confused than when they started.
AI works differently.
Instead of searching through hundreds of pages yourself, AI gathers the information into one easy-to-read explanation.
Think of ChatGPT as your own personal research assistant.
It won’t replace good judgement, but it can save enormous amounts of time.
Why This Matters
AI can help you research:
- Holidays
- Medical information (not medical advice)
- Investments
- Home improvements
- Gardening
- Recipes
- Insurance
- Vehicles
- Computers
- Smartphones
- Hobbies
- Genealogy
- History
- Finance
- Online business ideas
Example 1
Instead of asking:
Tell me about solar power.
Ask:
I am a retired homeowner in South Africa. Explain the advantages and disadvantages of installing solar panels in simple English. Include approximate costs, maintenance, and how long it usually takes to recover the investment.
Notice how much more specific the question is.
Example 2
Instead of searching dozens of travel websites:
Prompt:
Compare the best places for retirees to visit in South Africa during spring. Include weather, attractions, accommodation costs and safety.
Example 3
Shopping
Prompt:
Compare these three coffee machines. Explain the pros and cons of each and recommend which offers the best value for a retired couple.
Example 4
Understanding News
Prompt:
Explain today’s biggest financial news in simple language. Why does it matter to ordinary retirees?
Example 5
Learning New Skills
Prompt:
Teach me photography as if I were a complete beginner. Give me one lesson at a time with practical exercises.
Using Follow-Up Questions
One of AI’s greatest strengths is that you can continue the conversation.
For example:
Can you explain that in simpler language?
or
Give me three examples.
or
What should I learn next?
or
Compare this with another option.
When Should You Double-Check?
Always verify important information involving:
- Medical decisions
- Legal matters
- Financial investments
- Tax advice
- Government regulations
Think of AI as an excellent assistant—not the final authority.
Practical Exercise
Choose something you’ve always wanted to learn.
Ask AI to:
- explain it simply
- give examples
- suggest beginner resources
- answer your questions
- summarise what you’ve learned
You’ll probably be surprised how enjoyable learning becomes.
Key Takeaways
✓ AI saves hours of research.
✓ Better prompts produce better answers.
✓ Ask follow-up questions.
✓ Use AI to compare options.
✓ Always verify important decisions.
Matt’s Tip
The best researchers aren’t those who know all the answers—they’re the ones who know how to ask good questions. AI makes it easier than ever to explore new topics with confidence.
Try This Today
Ask AI to research something you’ve been putting off because it seemed too complicated. Spend just 15 minutes exploring the topic and note what you learned.
