Lesson 1 of 5 in For the curious retiree
Ask AI about anything — safely
You don't need to be a tech expert. You just need to know which questions are safe to ask and which to avoid.
Do this
Open ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini. Ask a question about a hobby or interest you have. Don't share personal details like your full name, address, or financial information.
Try it now
Copy and paste one of these safe prompts:
>Explain [topic you're curious about: gardening, history, cooking, travel, etc.] to me like I'm new to it but eager to learn. Keep it friendly and not too long.
Check yourself
Did you get an answer that makes sense? Did you avoid sharing any personal information? Do you feel like you understand the topic a little better?
What just happened
AI is like a very well-read librarian who has read most of the internet. It can explain almost any topic in plain language. The safety rule is simple: treat AI like a public conversation — don't share anything you wouldn't say to a stranger on a bus.