This page was created for those who attended my ChatGPT for Beginners and Exploring AI Use Cases classes at the Wellesley Free Library, but anyone can check it out. Over time, I will add more resources.
The thing with A.I. right now is that it is changing quickly. It’s possible that I mentioned something in class that was correct one day and wrong the next. And no, I was not hallucinating.
Below are resources that I’ve found valuable at various parts along my journey. Especially for the newsletters, check them out first and see if they are a right fit for you before subscribing. Some are technical and/or advanced. Most have free versions.
One strong suggestion: start slow. Overwhelm, especially as a newbie, is real. It may turn you off and that’s the opposite of what I hope.
Major Chatbots
Note: If you choose to get the ChatGPT mobile app, make sure it has the OpenAI logo and says it’s the official app from OpenAI. There are many apps that say it’s powered by ChatGPT and have a very similar logo. Do not be fooled.
Articles
- How AI Works – a great non-technical explanation of how it all works.
- How much energy does it take to create an image with AI.
- Perplexity Is a Bullshit Machine – Especially in this industry, it’s important to understand ethical issues.
- How AI Image Models Work
- Apple’s AI, Apple Intelligence, is boring and practical — that’s why it works
- A jargon-free explanation of how AI large language models work
- AI stole my book and sold it online
- The first Miss AI has been crowned — and she’s a Moroccan lifestyle influencer
- Can One Chatbot Catch Another’s Lies?
- “Please” and “Thank You” to ChatGPT Is Wasting Millions of Dollars
- AI-generated music accounts for 18% of all tracks uploaded to Deezer
Newsletters (in no particular order)
- Ben’s Bites
- The RundownAI
- Why Try AI (the weekly version is best)
- One Useful Thing (by Ethan Mollick)
Books
- Impromptu by Reid Hoffman (free pdf)
- Co-Intelligence by Ethan Mollick (I’m not yet through it all but like what I’ve read so far. You can also start with his newsletter above to get a feel for his style.)
Podcasts
- The Ezra Klein Show – How Should I Be Using A.I Right Now?
- Wall Street Journal – Artificial Series about OpenAI, the creators of ChatGPT (4 episodes)
- MacPowerUsers – Exploring AI & Productivity, with Michael Hyatt. Not necessarily for beginners but some interesting use cases.
Videos
The A.I. Dilemma – From the Center of Humane Technology