AI tools of the trade — how to talk to them, how to pick between them, and how to get reliable output from each.
Role, task, format, constraints. Zero-shot vs. few-shot. Why specificity wins.
What's out there, what's approved, and a framework for choosing.
Gemini · NotebookLM · ChatGPT · Claude. When to use which.
Prompting isn't typing — it's briefing. Treat the model like a capable freelancer who just walked into the room and knows nothing about your context.
"You are an expert chef" · "Act as a senior Java reviewer" · "Respond as a UX writer."
"Summarize in 3 bullets" · "Rewrite for tone" · "List the counter-arguments."
"Explain like I'm 10" · "Return JSON with keys X, Y, Z" · "Use a table."
"Under 200 words" · "No bullet lists" · "Avoid the word quantum."
The most common mistake: being too vague. "Write something about dogs" is not a brief — it's a wish.
Translate this to French:
Hello, how are you?
Works well for: simple, common tasks where the model already knows the pattern.
Write a product review:
- Wireless headphones
→ Great sound, comfortable fit.
- Coffee maker
→ Easy to use, makes excellent coffee.
- Smartphone case
→ ?
Works well for: specific tone, unusual format, domain-specific patterns.
Write about dogs.
Write a 200-word blog post about training puppies for first-time owners. Warm, encouraging tone.
Fix this code.
Debug this Python function that should calculate Fibonacci numbers but returns incorrect values for n > 10: [code]
Security first: never paste client data, passwords, keys, or proprietary code into public AI tools without explicit IT Security approval.
You don't need to master everything. You need to know which tool fits which job — and which ones are approved for which data.
OpenAI · creative, reasoning, coding, agent mode.
Anthropic · up to 1M context, strong coding, Computer Use.
Google · multimodal, real-time web, Workspace integration.
Google · source-grounded, multi-doc synthesis, citations.
Search-native · cited answers, deep-research mode.
Open-source friendly · competitive on technical tasks.
Image generation — artistic, prompt-literal, photorealistic.
Code completion · AI-native IDE · voice synthesis.
Green = general-purpose assistants you'll use daily. Amber = tools you'll reach for when a task calls for them.
| Data type | Consumer AI (ChatGPT, Gemini free) | Enterprise tier (Business, Team, Workspace) |
|---|---|---|
| Public information | Allowed | Allowed |
| Personal non-sensitive | Strip identifying details | Allowed |
| Work / client data | Never | With employer's approval |
| Health, finance, biometrics | Never | With explicit consent |
| Passwords · API keys · credentials | Never | Never |
Enterprise tiers typically exclude your data from training and add compliance controls. Consumer tiers may not. Check the settings.
What each does well, where it fits, and when to reach for it instead of the others.
A multimodal research assistant with a live feed of the web.
A research partner that reads your sources and cites them back.
A versatile creative partner — and a coding collaborator.
A thoughtful assistant with an exceptional memory — and a careful nature.
Smart compose · priority inbox · meeting scheduling · auto-transcription · smart summaries.
Duolingo lessons · Khan Academy tutors · Grammarly style and grammar suggestions.
Skin-cancer detection apps · therapy chatbots · personalized workout programs.
Fraud detection · robo-advisors · expense categorization · automated claims triage.
Netflix · Spotify recommendations · adaptive game difficulty · content curation.
Resume screening · sentiment analysis · ticket routing · copywriting and design assistance.
AI is a capability multiplier — but only if you brief it like a professional, choose a tool that fits the data, and stay the final authority on what ships.
Next up · Module 04 — agents, synthetic media, your work, your rights. The same tools, at society scale.