Author: froland

I’ve worked at a specialized software company for a total of 32 years, and over that time, I’ve found
myself constantly looking for clear, basic definitions of words and terms — whether for work or
personal learning.

In the past year, artificial intelligence has become a major tool in my toolbox. It’s helped me better
understand topics, and just as importantly, it has helped me help others do the same.

Why Ask AI for Definitions?

You can ask any AI tool-like ChatGPT, Grok, or others-for a definition of a term. But here’s the thing:

If you or your audience doesn’t have a strong technical background in that subject, the definition you
get might be way too complex. And when that happens, it’s not helpful at all.

And, using different online dictionaries, even through the ultimate dictionary site, Onelook.com, I’ve found it time consuming to try and find a good basic definition of a word I don’t understand.

And, when I study a subject in my personal life, I create a glossary of basic definitions I found for words I ran into as part of this study. The reason do this is to give me another resource to help me re-study or brush up on material later. Such glossaries help save me time because I already did the work to locate the definition I needed for a specific context. I utilized such a glossary when I was studying and then re-studying materials for my health and life insurance license exam some years ago. It really helped make sure I passed this exam the first time.

Note: This isn’t a substitute for fully clearing up and understanding a word, of course.

How I Ask for Better Definitions

So, I’ve developed a habit: I form my requests to match the technical level of either myself or the
person I’m helping.

Here are a few examples:

• “Please give me a good, basic, and non-technical definition of [insert technical word here] related to woodworking.”
• “Give me a good basic definition of [insert technical word here] that a 6th grader would understand.”
• “Explain [insert technical word here] in a way a 9th grader could understand-and give me five simple examples to show how it’s used.”

Doing this makes the AI’s answers far more useful and digestible — for me and for anyone I’m helping.

It’s All About Context

It really comes down to this:

Do a quick assessment of yourself or the person you’re trying to help and adjust your request accordingly.

Bonus Tip: Ask AI *How* to Ask

In one of my earlier blog posts, “Artificial Intelligence – Help me, help you…”, I talked about asking artificial intelligence programs to help it help you, like asking it “How could you help me?”

Well, that applies here too.

You can say something like:

“What’s a good way to ask for a basic definition of a technical word I currently don’t understand?”

Let the artificial intelligence program help you create better questions so you get better and more precise answers. This will make using artificial intelligence programs more efficient in this area and overall as well.

Final Thought

This approach has really helped me help myself and others too!

And, of course, I hope this helps you too!

Making AI Work for You: The Power of Lists

A simple but effective way to use AI is by asking for a list when you’re researching a topic or exploring different directions for a piece of writing.

For example, if I were planning a workout, I could ask:

“Give me a list of ten leg exercises — body weight, free weights and typical gym machines — that I might want to incorporate into my workouts.”

The AI would generate such a list, and from there, I could refine it further:

• Reorganizing: “Sort this list from the most low impact exercise to the highest impact exercise.”
• Categorizing: “Group these exercises based on the main muscles they work.”
• Building a routine: “Create a two-day leg workout plan using these exercises, ensuring all muscle groups are worked as evenly as possible.”

By generating and re-organizing a simple list (as noted above), I can (or anyone can) tailor the information to meet specific needs.

Using AI Lists for Writing and World-building

This approach is very versatile, for example, you could use this related to fiction writing.

For example, if I’m developing a fictional world, I could upload my draft and ask the AI:

“Speculate on how my world would change if a major event — such as a cataclysm or new technology — disrupted it. Provide a list of societal aspects that would be affected and explain how.”

Once I get the AI’s response, I can:

• Review the list to see which ideas spark inspiration.
• Choose an aspect to expand upon or research further.
• Pick and edit details to ensure consistency in world-building.

AI-Generated Lists Summary

AI-generated lists can be a powerful tool for any creative or analytical task  whether you’re writing a book, planning a workout, researching a topic, organizing a project and so on. Lists allow you to quickly gather information, refine ideas, and create structured outputs that help bring your projects to life.

I hope this little insight helps you make the most of AI lists in your own endeavors!

If you have utilized such lists, how have they helped you with your projects? If you have other comments about this blog post, I welcome them!

First, a definition “ketogenic” — this word is used to describe a diet designed to get or keep a human body in a state where it is burning fat for fuel, instead of carbohydrates (grain/sugar based foods). Such a diet is often used to help one lose weight but also to improve one’s health overall.

Almost a month ago, 15 February 2025, I decided to find out if ChatGPT could help me develop a meal plan geared towards a ketogenic diet. I did some research using ChatGPT to establish the minimum and maximum amount of protein I should eat a day (based on my age, sex, height and weight). I also then provided ChatGPT with data on protein sources I usually have at hand. I also told ChatGPT to avoid certain foods that have a substance that is tied to the creation of kidney stones. I also told ChatGPT that I want it to use intermittent fasting (eating in a certain window of hours, like six or eight) every day. Plus I wanted the meal plan to include fresh salad and a few other vegetable side dishes (like sauteed/steamed cabbage and zucchini). Lastly, I told ChatGPT what time I wanted to eat my first meal. I then told ChatGPT to give me options for each meal for different protein sources as well.

The result has been pretty interesting to me. I tell ChatGPT to create the new day’s meal plan and of course, it does. I also have had times where I had to tell ChatGPT that I only had certain protein sources available today or I wanted to eat more of a particular protein source (just personal preference) and asked it to adjust the meal plan for the day accordingly. I also tell it that I have a meeting one of the meal times, so please adjust the meal times with this in mind and — of course it does.

It’s been very easy for me to follow the meal plans and also prepare what’s necessary for my first two meals of the day (which I eat at work). And, my third meal is easily prepared and eaten at home — not a problem at all.

Based on what I’ve done with this and the ease of following the meal plans created, I’m planning on creating a Custom GPT as a sort of digital diet and meal planning assistant.

Hope this helps you!

I saw Tony’s “AI for Authors” seminar almost a year ago now, back in April 2024 at a local library. It blew my mind. And this is coming from a person that’s worked in the high-tech computer field since 1981 (originally in the U.S. Navy). I’ve also taught myself programming languages, computer-aided-design software programs and a lot more — almost all by myself. I did get little bits of help, here and there, that helped me with a bit of data and then I just ran with it!

And, sure enough, I’ve done a similar thing working with artificial intelligence just based on Tony’s seminar. With ChatGPT’s help, I’ve written one personal program plus three or four programs to help me at my day job as well.

And, about six weeks ago, I taught myself how to create a custom GPT with ChatGPT. Took some trial and error, but it was a very good learning experience.

And, in talking with a person last week that didn’t know anything about ChatGPT or the other artificial intelligence oriented web sites. They asked how they could learn more about it. I looked at the problem and I said, “Well, go to ChatGPT.com or one of the other artificial intelligence web sites and ask it (or them) how they could help you.” They’ll get a response about what things the artificial intelligence could help someone with. From there, a person will ask questions or give the artificial intelligence information about their interests, hobbies, job and on which will result in the person using the artificial intelligence to help them learn and know more about artificial intelligence.

It’s like a Jerry Maguire (movie) “Help me, help you…” with the artificial intelligence asking you to help it help you, of course.  Hope this helps!