A Pensioner’s Guide to Free AI: Hints, Tips & Warnings

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A Pensioner's Guide to Free AI: Hints, Tips & Warnings

Artificial Intelligence (AI) might sound like science fiction, but for us, it is simply a very useful tool. Think of it like a library assistant that has read every book in the world but sometimes gets confused!

This guide will help you use free AI tools for chatting, creating images, and making videos on your computer, tablet, or phone.


⚠ The Golden Rule: Trust but Verify

Before we start, a very serious warning. AI can be amazing, but it can also be wrong. It is known to "hallucinate," which means it can confidently state a fact that is completely untrue.

• Health & Medicine: Never use AI for medical diagnosis. It can miss vital symptoms. Always see a doctor.
  
• Finance & Law: Do not trust it with pension advice, legal documents, or banking.
  
• Politics & News: AI can be biased or outdated. Check the dates and sources.
  
• Scams: AI can write convincing emails. If something sounds too good to be true, it is.
  

Always double-check important facts with a trusted source (like a library book or official government website).


Recommended Free Tools

Here are the best free tools you can use right now. Most have apps for your iPad, iPhone, or Android phone.

1. For Chatting, Writing & Planning
These are great for writing letters, summarizing articles, or asking questions.

• Google Gemini - gemini.google.com
  Very helpful and conversational. It connects well with other Google tools (like Maps or Flights) if you want it to.
  App available? Yes (Android App / Inside the Google App on iPhone).
  
  
• ChatGPT (OpenAI) - chatgpt.com
  The most famous one. Excellent for conversation and general advice.
  App available? Yes (iOS and Android).
  
  
• Microsoft Copilot - copilot.microsoft.com
  Connected to the internet, so it's useful for current events.
  App available? Yes (Microsoft Copilot app).
  
  
• Perplexity - perplexity.ai
  Best for searching for facts; it lists its sources so you can check them.
  App available? Yes.
  

2. For Images (Pictures)
You describe a picture, and it paints it for you in seconds.

• Google Gemini - gemini.google.com
  Yes, the free version can now draw pictures! Just ask it to "create an image of..."
  App available? Yes.
  
  
• Microsoft Designer (Image Creator) - bing.com/images/create
  Very easy to use. You get 15 "fast" credits a day for free.
  App available? Use the "Bing" or "Microsoft Designer" app.
  
  
• Adobe Firefly - firefly.adobe.com
  High quality and safe for family viewing.
  App available? Web only, but works on tablet browsers.
  

3. For Video
These are new and experimental. They create short (3-5 second) clips.

• Luma Dream Machine - lumalabs.ai/dream-machine
  Allows a few free videos per month. Very realistic.
  App available? Web browser mostly, but works on mobile chrome/safari.
  
  
• Canva - canva.com
  Has a "Magic Media" tool inside. Great for making greeting cards.
  App available? Yes, excellent app for tablets.
  

Hints & Tips for Best Results

Talking to AI is called "Prompting." If you don't get what you want, don't give up! Rephrase and try again.

For Text (Chatting):

• Be Polite but Direct: You don't need to say please, but typing in natural sentences helps.
  
• Give it a Job: Start by saying "Act as a gardening expert..." or "Act as a travel agent..."
  
• Ask for specific tone: "Write a complaint letter to the council, but keep it polite and professional."
  
• Ask the AI for help: If you are stuck, type: "I want to find out about X, what is the best question to ask you?"
  

For Images & Video:

• Paint a picture with words: Don't just say "A cat." Say "A fluffy ginger cat sitting on a garden fence, sunny day, oil painting style."
  
• Style matters: Add words like "Realistic photo," "Cartoon," "Watercolor," or "Black and White."
  
• Video is tricky: Keep movement simple. "A dog running" might look odd, but "A dog sleeping by a fire" will look great.
  

Other Wonderful Uses for Pensioners

• Clarify Jargon: Paste in a confusing letter from the bank and ask: "Explain this to me in simple English."
  
• Recipes: Type in the three ingredients left in your fridge and ask for a recipe.
  
• Identify Things: If you use Google Lens or the ChatGPT app, you can take a photo of a plant or an antique and ask what it is.
  
• Nostalgia: Ask it to generate an image of "A 1960s British high street with an Routemaster bus" to see what it comes up with!
  

Enjoy exploring!