What You Will Learn

• Create and navigate a ChatGPT account and interface
• Craft optimized prompts using the RICE framework
• Set up custom instructions and share chats for collaboration
• Use beta features: Browse with Bing, ChatGPT Vision, DALL-E 3, plugins, and Advanced Data Analysis
• Integrate ChatGPT into daily workflows to boost productivity

Study Guide

Introduction

Welcome to the comprehensive video course, "How to Use ChatGPT from Beginner to Professional." In this course, we will take you on a journey from understanding the basics of ChatGPT to mastering its advanced features. Whether you're a novice or looking to enhance your skills, this course is designed to empower you with the knowledge and tools to integrate ChatGPT into your daily workflow for increased productivity and expert-level assistance. Let's dive in and explore the world of ChatGPT.

Getting Started with ChatGPT

Before we delve into the advanced capabilities of ChatGPT, it's essential to understand how to get started. The process is straightforward:

Signing Up:
Visit chat.openai.com to create an account. You can sign up using your Google account or email. Account verification is required via a text message code to ensure security.

Understanding the Interface:
Once you're logged in, you'll find a user-friendly interface where you can input prompts like "write an essay about AI" to generate text, code, and even images using generative AI. The chat history sidebar is a handy tool that allows you to revisit past conversations or start new ones effortlessly.

Subscription Plans:
ChatGPT offers two subscription plans: a free plan suitable for everyday tasks and a paid plan (£20 a month) that provides priority access to new features and improvements, including beta features we'll explore later. The official ChatGPT app is also available for both iOS and Android, enabling on-the-go usage.

ChatGPT as a Personal Assistant and Team of Experts

ChatGPT is not just a tool; it's an extension of your capabilities. Imagine having a team of experts at your fingertips:

Daily Usage:
Bookmark ChatGPT and use it daily. Treat it as an instant "team of people" there to support you and elevate your productivity. Whether you need writing assistance, language translation, brainstorming ideas, coding support, travel planning, recipe suggestions, book summaries, fitness tips, or product recommendations, ChatGPT can handle it all.

Expert Advice:
Beyond being a personal assistant, ChatGPT can act as a team of experts, consultants, or mentors. For example, if you're pondering financial decisions, you can ask ChatGPT to "act as a financial advisor and recommend if I should pay off my mortgage early or invest my extra funds."

Optimising Prompts with the RICE Framework

Crafting effective prompts is crucial for getting the best results from ChatGPT. This is where the RICE framework comes into play:

Role:
Assign ChatGPT a specific persona, such as "act as a travel writer."

Instruction:
Clearly state what you want ChatGPT to do, like "research and describe the top five destinations."

Context:
Provide relevant background information, such as the target audience or desired style, like "aimed at aspiring digital nomads."

Constraints:
Set boundaries for ChatGPT's output, such as "keep the blog post between 500 and 2,000 words."

Examples:
Offer examples of the desired output style or content to guide ChatGPT, such as providing a paragraph from a similar article.

Using the RICE framework ensures that ChatGPT understands your request comprehensively, leading to more focused, relevant, and high-quality outputs. It's a valuable skill that can even help you optimise your own prompts by asking ChatGPT to "help me create an optimized prompt using the RICE framework."

Sharing Prompts

Sharing your ChatGPT conversations is easy and collaborative:

Share Chat Button:
ChatGPT has a built-in "share chat" button located in the top right corner. You can rename the chat before sharing and choose whether to share your name or remain anonymous.

Shareable Link:
A shareable link is generated, allowing recipients to "continue this conversation" within their own ChatGPT account. This effectively provides them with the original prompt and context.

Custom Instructions

Custom instructions are a powerful feature that allows you to tailor ChatGPT's responses to your preferences:

Accessing Custom Instructions:
You can access custom instructions via the three dots next to your username. The top box is for personal information and goals, while the bottom box defines desired response characteristics, such as formal/casual language, length, and inclusion of sources.

Examples of Custom Instructions:
- Specifying the desired level of formality or informality in responses.
- Requesting the use of simple language and avoidance of jargon.
- Asking for explanations using real-life examples, metaphors, or analogies.
- Instructing ChatGPT to always provide sources for factual claims.

Custom instructions save time by ensuring ChatGPT consistently adheres to your preferences, making interactions more efficient and relevant.

Enabling Beta Features (Paid Plan)

Subscribers to the paid ChatGPT plan (£20 a month) gain access to powerful beta features:

Enabling Beta Features:
After upgrading, you need to manually enable these features in "Settings & Beta" under "Beta features" by toggling them green.

Browse with Bing

The "Browse with Bing" feature allows ChatGPT to access the internet, enhancing its capabilities:

Use Cases:
- News Summaries: Get top news stories on specific topics, like "top five news stories from Tesla this week."
- Accelerated Market Research: Find the latest statistics on industries, such as "global electric vehicle sales." Sources are provided.
- Summarising Web Pages: Condense lengthy articles by providing the URL, like "summarize this page in five bullet points."

ChatGPT Vision

ChatGPT Vision allows users to upload images and ask questions about them, opening up new possibilities:

Use Cases:
- Homepage Feedback: Upload a screenshot and get design recommendations.
- Picture to Text Storytelling: Generate creative short stories based on uploaded images.
- Image-Based Learning: Identify and explain characteristics of uploaded images, such as identifying a leaf disease.

Advanced Data Analysis (Code Interpreter)

This feature allows users to upload various file types and ask questions about the data in natural language:

Example Use Case (YouTube Analytics):
- Identifying videos with the highest and lowest subscriber-to-view ratios.
- Finding videos with the highest click-through rates.
- Visualising data through charts, such as top 10 videos by subscribers gained.

ChatGPT Plugins

Plugins extend the capabilities of ChatGPT, offering additional functionalities:

AI PDF Plugin:
Allows users to interact with PDFs by providing a URL. Functions include summarising documents and searching for specific queries.

Doc Maker Plugin:
Enables the creation of various document formats from text input. Example use case: converting an AI-generated summary into a PowerPoint presentation.

DALL-E 3 (Image Generation)

Integrated directly into ChatGPT, DALL-E 3 allows image generation from text prompts:

Use Cases:
- Generate concept art, fashion designs, architecture, logos, infographics, product designs, book covers, and educational illustrations.
- Edit prompts easily, such as changing "one majestic deer" to "two majestic deers."

ChatGPT Voice (App Only)

Available exclusively on the ChatGPT mobile app, ChatGPT Voice allows voice conversations:

Use Cases:
- Interview Practice: Simulating job interviews by having ChatGPT ask questions.
- Language Learning: Practising pronunciation and asking for translations.
- Acting as a Tour Guide: Asking for information about landmarks.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You've completed the course on "How to Use ChatGPT from Beginner to Professional." By mastering the fundamentals, advanced prompting techniques, and the latest features, you're now equipped to leverage ChatGPT as a versatile tool for a wide range of personal and professional tasks. Remember, the key to success is thoughtful application of these skills. Use ChatGPT daily to improve productivity, access expert advice, and unleash your creativity. The possibilities are endless.

Podcast

Frequently Asked Questions

Welcome to the FAQ section for the "Video Course: How to Use ChatGPT from Beginner to Professional." This section is designed to address a wide range of questions, from foundational concepts to advanced techniques, ensuring you can maximize your use of ChatGPT in professional settings. Whether you're just starting or looking to refine your skills, these FAQs will guide you through the journey of mastering ChatGPT.

What is the core purpose of the "How to Use ChatGPT from Beginner to Professional" video course?

This video course aims to take individuals, regardless of their current experience level, from understanding the basics of setting up and using ChatGPT to employing advanced techniques and features to enhance productivity and creativity. The course covers fundamental aspects like account creation and basic prompting, progresses to sophisticated prompt engineering using the RICE framework, and explores new and beta features available in ChatGPT, such as browsing with Bing, data analysis, image generation with DALL-E 3, and the use of plugins. The ultimate goal is to equip users with the skills to leverage ChatGPT effectively for a wide range of tasks, transforming it into a personal assistant, expert consultant, and creative tool.

What is the RICE framework for prompting, and why is it important for getting better results from ChatGPT?

The RICE framework is a structured approach to crafting effective prompts for ChatGPT. RICE stands for:

• Role: Assigning a specific persona or role to ChatGPT (e.g., "act as a travel writer").
• Instruction: Clearly stating what you want ChatGPT to do (e.g., "research and describe the top five destinations").
• Context: Providing relevant background information, such as the target audience or desired style (e.g., "aimed at aspiring digital nomads").
• Constraints: Setting boundaries and limitations for ChatGPT's output (e.g., "keep the blog post between 500 and 2,000 words").
• Examples: Offering examples of the desired output style or content to guide ChatGPT (e.g., providing a paragraph from a similar article).

Using the RICE framework is crucial because it provides ChatGPT with a comprehensive understanding of your request, leading to more focused, relevant, and high-quality outputs compared to basic, unstructured prompts. By explicitly defining these elements, you guide the AI to generate results that better align with your specific needs and expectations.

How can custom instructions enhance the ChatGPT user experience, and what are some examples of useful custom instructions?

Custom instructions are a feature that allows users to pre-define preferences and information that ChatGPT should consider in all subsequent conversations. This saves time by eliminating the need to repeat these preferences in every new prompt. You can input information about yourself (e.g., profession, goals) and specify how you want ChatGPT to respond (e.g., language style, tone, format).

Examples of useful custom instructions include:

• Specifying the desired level of formality or informality in responses.
• Requesting the use of simple language and avoidance of jargon.
• Asking for explanations using real-life examples, metaphors, or analogies.
• Instructing ChatGPT to always provide sources for factual claims.
• Preventing ChatGPT from using specific phrases or adopting unwanted tones.
• Defining preferred response lengths (short, medium, long).
• Requesting code output without accompanying explanations (for programmers).

By setting up custom instructions, users can tailor ChatGPT's behaviour to their individual needs and communication style, resulting in more efficient and relevant interactions.

What are some of the key beta features highlighted in the course that are available on the paid ChatGPT plan, and what functionalities do they offer?

The course highlights several powerful beta features accessible with a paid ChatGPT subscription:

• Browse with Bing: Enables ChatGPT to access and process information from the internet, overcoming the limitations of its training data cut-off. This allows for tasks like real-time news summaries, market research, website reviews, and travel planning based on current information.
• Advanced Data Analysis (Code Interpreter): Allows users to upload various file types (e.g., CSV, PDF) and ask ChatGPT to perform data analysis, generate visualisations (charts, tables), and extract insights in a natural language format. This democratises data analysis, making it accessible even to non-technical users.
• DALL-E 3: Integrates image generation capabilities directly within the ChatGPT interface. Users can create original images based on text prompts, offering possibilities for concept art, logo design, visualising ideas, and more. It boasts improved natural language understanding and the ability to generate more coherent and detailed images, including legible text in some cases.

These beta features significantly expand the capabilities of ChatGPT, making it a more versatile and powerful tool for a wider range of applications.

How can the "Browse with Bing" feature be used in practical scenarios, and what are some examples provided in the course?

The "Browse with Bing" feature allows ChatGPT to interact with the internet, enabling several practical applications:

• News Summaries: Quickly get a curated list of the top news stories on specific topics from the current week or day, saving time spent sifting through multiple sources.
• Accelerated Market Research: Gather the latest statistics, trends, and competitor information within specific industries by prompting ChatGPT to search and summarise relevant online sources.
• Summarising Web Pages: Obtain concise summaries of long articles or web content by providing the URL, allowing for quick comprehension of key information.
• Travel Planning: Find hotel recommendations, pricing, and amenities in specific locations based on real-time availability and information.
• Website Reviews: Get objective feedback on a website's design, user experience, and content by asking ChatGPT to browse the site and suggest improvements for aspects like bookings or engagement.

These examples demonstrate how "Browse with Bing" transforms ChatGPT into a real-time information hub and research assistant.

What is ChatGPT Vision, and how can users leverage it for tasks involving images?

ChatGPT Vision is a feature that allows users to upload images and ask ChatGPT questions about their content. This opens up a range of possibilities for image-based tasks:

• Homepage Feedback: Upload a screenshot of a website homepage and receive recommendations on how to improve its design, layout, and call to actions.
• Picture to Text Storytelling: Provide an image and ask ChatGPT to create a short story or description inspired by its visual elements.
• Image-Based Learning: Upload images of plants, objects, or even handwritten notes to identify them or get explanations about them (e.g., identifying a plant disease or digitising handwriting).
• Design Recommendations: Upload a photo of a room and receive suggestions for interior design improvements, such as furniture placement, decor, and colour schemes.

ChatGPT Vision enables a new dimension of interaction, allowing the AI to understand and provide insights based on visual information.

How does the Advanced Data Analysis (Code Interpreter) tool simplify working with data, even for non-technical users, as illustrated in the course?

The Advanced Data Analysis tool simplifies working with data by allowing users to upload files and ask questions about the data in natural language, without needing to write code or perform complex manual analysis. As illustrated with the YouTube analytics example, users can:

• Upload various data file types.
• Ask ChatGPT to act as a data scientist and initially understand the data's structure and content.
• Request suggestions for relevant questions to gain meaningful insights from the data.
• Ask specific questions about trends, correlations, and key metrics within the data.
• Request visualisations like charts and tables to better understand and present the data.

This feature democratises data analysis by making it intuitive and accessible to individuals without programming or statistical expertise, enabling them to extract valuable insights from their own data sources.

What are ChatGPT plugins, and how can they extend the functionality of ChatGPT, as demonstrated by the AI PDF and Doc Maker examples?

ChatGPT plugins are third-party tools that can be integrated with ChatGPT to provide additional functionalities and access external services or data. They extend ChatGPT's capabilities beyond its core language processing abilities.

The course highlights two examples:

• AI PDF: This plugin allows users to interact with PDF documents by providing a URL or uploading a file. Users can ask ChatGPT to summarise the document, search for specific keywords or phrases, and extract information, making it easier to digest and analyse lengthy PDF files like financial reports or research papers.
• Doc Maker: This plugin enables ChatGPT to create various types of documents based on user instructions. In the example, a summary of a financial report was used to generate a PowerPoint presentation, demonstrating how plugins can automate document creation and formatting tasks, saving users time and effort.

These examples illustrate how plugins can seamlessly integrate specialised tools and services with ChatGPT, significantly enhancing its utility for specific tasks and workflows.

What is the basic process for signing up for ChatGPT, and what are the two main subscription plans available?

To sign up for ChatGPT, users go to chat.openai.com and create a free account by verifying their email or using a Google account. There are two main plans: a free plan suitable for everyday tasks and a paid plan ($20/month) that offers priority access to new features and improvements.

How can the built-in sharing feature in ChatGPT be used to collaborate on prompts or conversations?

The share chat button in the top right corner of a ChatGPT conversation allows users to generate a shareable link. This link can be sent to others, enabling them to view and continue the conversation or access the specific prompt, facilitating collaboration and sharing of useful prompts.

What are custom instructions in ChatGPT, and what are the two key input boxes users can configure?

Custom instructions are a feature that allows users to pre-define preferences for ChatGPT's responses and information about themselves. The top box is for inputting user details and goals, while the bottom box is for specifying how ChatGPT should respond, including tone, length, and the inclusion/exclusion of certain details.

How does DALL-E 3 integrate with ChatGPT, and what is a key advantage of generating images within this platform compared to other image generation tools mentioned?

DALL-E 3 is integrated directly into the ChatGPT interface, allowing users to generate images based on text prompts within the same conversational window. A key advantage over other tools mentioned (like Midjourney) is its ability to understand natural language prompts effectively, reducing the need for highly specific or technical prompting structures, and its improved capability in generating legible text within images.

What is the transformative potential of ChatGPT across various professional domains?

ChatGPT offers transformative potential across multiple professional domains by streamlining workflows, enhancing creativity, and improving decision-making. For instance, in marketing, it can generate compelling ad copy or social media content. In education, it assists in creating lesson plans and answering student queries. In healthcare, it can help draft patient communication or summarise medical literature. ChatGPT's ability to integrate with other tools and access real-time data (via Browse with Bing) further amplifies its utility, making it a versatile asset in any industry.

Why is prompt engineering, as described by the RICE framework, significant in maximising the effectiveness of ChatGPT?

Prompt engineering is crucial for maximizing ChatGPT's effectiveness because it directly influences the quality of AI-generated responses. The RICE framework provides a structured method for crafting prompts, ensuring clarity and precision. For novices, it simplifies the process of obtaining valuable outputs, while experienced users can refine their prompts to achieve highly specific results. The framework's emphasis on role, instruction, context, and constraints ensures that the AI aligns closely with user expectations, enhancing the overall utility of ChatGPT.

How does integrating internet access, image understanding, and data analysis enhance the ChatGPT user experience?

Integrating internet access (Browse with Bing), image understanding (ChatGPT Vision), and data analysis capabilities significantly enhances the ChatGPT user experience by broadening its scope of tasks. Users can access real-time information, analyse visual content, and perform data-driven tasks, all within a single platform. This integration allows users to tackle complex projects, such as conducting comprehensive market research, creating data visualisations, or generating image-based content, without needing multiple tools, thus saving time and improving efficiency.

What role do custom instructions and plugins play in personalising and extending ChatGPT's functionality?

Custom instructions and plugins play a pivotal role in personalising and extending ChatGPT's functionality by allowing users to tailor the AI to their specific needs and workflows. Custom instructions enable users to set preferences for tone, style, and content, ensuring responses align with their expectations. Plugins provide access to specialised tools and services, expanding ChatGPT's capabilities beyond text generation. While the benefits include enhanced efficiency and relevance, potential challenges involve managing plugin compatibility and maintaining data security within personalised settings.

What are the ethical implications and potential challenges associated with the advanced capabilities of ChatGPT?

The advanced capabilities of ChatGPT, such as content generation, data analysis, and image creation, raise several ethical implications and challenges. These include concerns about misinformation, intellectual property rights, and data privacy. Users and developers must navigate these issues responsibly by ensuring transparency in AI usage, attributing content sources, and safeguarding sensitive information. Establishing guidelines for ethical AI application and staying informed about evolving regulations can help mitigate potential risks, promoting responsible use of ChatGPT's powerful features.

What are some common challenges users face when using ChatGPT, and how can they be overcome?

Common challenges when using ChatGPT include obtaining relevant and accurate responses, managing expectations, and ensuring data privacy. To overcome these, users should focus on crafting clear and detailed prompts using frameworks like RICE. Regularly updating custom instructions can help maintain alignment with user needs, and leveraging plugins can enhance functionality. Staying informed about privacy settings and data handling policies ensures secure interactions with the AI.

What are some practical applications of ChatGPT in business settings?

In business settings, ChatGPT can be used for generating reports, drafting emails, creating marketing content, and conducting market research. It can also assist in customer support by providing quick responses to common queries and analysing customer feedback for insights. Additionally, ChatGPT can aid in strategic planning by synthesising industry trends and competitor analysis, making it a valuable tool for enhancing productivity and decision-making in various business contexts.

What are some tips for implementing ChatGPT effectively in a professional environment?

To implement ChatGPT effectively in a professional environment, start by identifying specific use cases where it can add value, such as automating routine tasks or enhancing content creation. Train staff on prompt engineering techniques like the RICE framework to optimize interactions. Regularly review and update custom instructions to align with business goals, and explore plugins that can extend functionality. Establish guidelines for ethical use and data privacy to ensure responsible implementation of ChatGPT in the workplace.