To support our recent webinar “Will AI Replace Me? The Future of Work Webinar” below is a beginner's digital AI goodie bag to get started...

Artificial Intelligence is no longer something “coming soon”. It is already embedded in workplace software, search engines, phones, learning platforms, and creative tools. For many people, the challenge is not whether to use AI, but how to start safely, sensibly, and without feeling overwhelmed. 

Across the North of England, we see the same questions from employees, small business owners, learners, and parents:

“Which tool should I actually use?”

“How do I avoid getting it wrong?”

“How do I stay employable without becoming dependent on AI?”

“How do I protect my data and my children?”

Our Beginner's Digital AI Goodie Bag is designed to answer those questions - it is not about hype or replacing people... it is about capability, confidence, and control.

Which AI tools are best for what? No single platform does everything — choose the right tool for the task. Here’s a start:

• ChatGPT – general thinking, drafting, ideas, planning, learning
• Claude – long documents, structured reasoning, policy-style writing
• Gemini – Google-connected work, summaries, quick research
• Microsoft Copilot – Word/Excel/Outlook/Teams productivity
• Perplexity – research with sources/citations
• Canva AI / Adobe Firefly / CapCut / Descript – design, images, video creation, editing
• Otter.ai / Whisper tools – audio to text
• Zapier / Make – automation (no/low code)
• GitHub Copilot / Replit – coding and building
• Notion AI / Google Docs AI – documents and knowledge

Tip: you don’t need them all — pick one tool per category and build confidence from there

Better example questions to ask AI to get better responses…

“What are my options and trade-offs?”

“What would a cautious expert say?”

“What am I missing?”

“Check this for risks or bias”

“Rewrite this for clarity, not hype”

Next let’s look at prompt engineering – better prompts produce better results

The simple structure:

• ROLE – Who should the AI act as?
• GOAL – What do you want?
• CONTEXT – Who is it for and why
• CONSTRAINTS – Limits, tone, rules
• FORMAT – Bullet points, table, email
• EXAMPLES – Optional, but powerful

Example and reusable Master Prompt Template

Act as a [ROLE].

Your goal is to help me [GOAL].

Context:

- Audience: [WHO]

- Purpose: [WHY]

- Background: [KEY DETAILS]

Constraints:

- UK English

- Length: [X words]

- Tone: [e.g. clear, professional, friendly]

- Do NOT include: [EXCLUSIONS]

Format:

- [e.g. bullet points, table, step-by-step]

If something is unclear, make a reasonable assumption and proceed 

Now, let’s look at some practical examples for specific groups. 

Employees of any sector

Use Cases:

1. Drafting emails and reports
2. Preparing for meetings
3. Learning new skills faster
4. Turning notes into actions
5. Improving clarity and tone

Starter Projects:

1. Personal meeting summary system
2. Weekly task-planning prompt
3. Skills gap learning plan

Starter Prompts:

Help me prepare for a meeting with [ROLE]

Summarise key points and 3 smart questions

Rewrite email to be clear, polite, professional for UK workplace

Explain this topic to me as if I am new, without jargon 

Students & learners

Use Cases:

1. Explaining complex topics
2. Revision planning
3. Improving writing structure
4. Practice questions
5. Feedback before submission 

Starter Projects:

1. Study revision planner
2. Essay structure checker
3. Topic explainer library 

Starter Prompts:

Explain this concept at GCSE/A-Level/University level. 

Help me plan revision for the next 7 days.

Give feedback on clarity and structure, not answers. 

As with all things online, safety is key – now let’s look at some of the basics to protect yourself and others… 

AI rules vary by age and platform; always check terms of use. 

Key principles

• Supervision matters
• No personal data
• No private school information
• No dependency on AI for thinking
• Encourage questioning and verification 

Remember, AI should support critical thinking, not replace it! 

Safety, privacy and quality control checklist:

• No personal or confidential data shared
• No passwords, tokens, or private links
• No children’s personal data
• Outputs checked for accuracy
• Sources verified where needed
• Time-boxed usage (no endless scrolling)
• No medical or mental health replacement
• Human judgement remains final 

Here’s a quick 15 minute starter task for you to try to get started… 

Minutes 1-5: pick a safe platform

Start with a general assistant you can use for everyday thinking and drafting. For many beginners, that is ChatGPT or Microsoft Copilot (especially if you already use Microsoft 365). 

Minutes 6-10: try one small task

Examples:

Rewrite a paragraph more clearly

Summarise a document you already own

Draft a polite email response

*Do not upload anything confidential. 

Minutes 11-15: improve the question

Instead of “Help me with this”, try: “Act as a professional editor. Improve clarity and tone for a UK audience. Keep it under 150 words.” 

That is AI working with you, not replacing you. 

This is about building confidence, not fear. AI literacy is becoming a basic skill. We can learn it safely, together.

If you haven’t already you can watch our AI webinar here, read our “Will AI Replace Me?” blog in partnership with KTSL discussing jobs, skills, the future of work PLUS download our AI Starter Kit here and our AI Prompt Library here.