AI is already part of your day. Let's make sense of it.

From the words your phone suggests to the videos you're shown online, AI is everywhere. This short, jargon-free guide helps you understand it and use it safely.

Take the 2-minute quiz What is AI?
The basics

What is AI, really?

No robots taking over. Here's what AI actually is, in plain English.

What it is

AI is computer software that learns from huge numbers of examples. It spots patterns and makes very good guesses, but it doesn't think or feel like a person.

Where you meet it

Predictive text, voice assistants, spam filters, sat-nav routes, "you might also like" suggestions and chatbots all use AI.

What it's good at

Quick, repetitive jobs like summarising text, translating, drafting emails, sorting photos and answering everyday questions.

Where it goes wrong

It can state wrong facts confidently, repeat unfair biases from its training examples, and be used to make convincing fakes.

Test yourself

How AI-savvy are you?

Five quick questions. No tech knowledge needed.

🤖 Ready?

Pick the answer that sounds most sensible. You'll see a short explanation after each one.

Good habits

5 simple ways to stay safe with AI

You don't need to be an expert. These habits go a long way.

  • Double-check the facts

    AI can sound sure of itself and still be wrong. For anything important (health, money, the law), check a trusted source.

  • Keep personal info private

    Never type passwords, bank details, ID numbers or private family information into a chatbot.

  • Question shocking videos and voices

    AI can fake faces and voices. If a clip or phone call seems surprising or urgent, pause and check before you believe it or share it.

  • Remember AI can be unfair

    AI learns from human examples, including our biases. Be wary when it's used to judge people, such as in job or loan decisions.

  • You're in charge

    Treat AI as a helpful assistant, not the boss. You make the final decision.

Keep going

Want to learn more?

Beginner-friendly places to keep learning. They all open in a new tab.

Free online course

Elements of AI

A popular course for complete beginners, made by the University of Helsinki. No maths or coding needed.

Visit site → Free to audit

AI For Everyone (Coursera)

Andrew Ng's short non-technical course on what AI can and can't do. Watching the course is free, and the certificate costs extra.

Visit site → Free guide

Staying secure online (NCSC)

The UK National Cyber Security Centre's simple tips for protecting your accounts and spotting scams.

Visit site → Paid course

Google AI Essentials

A short, practical course by Google on using AI tools at work. There's a fee, and financial aid may be available.

Visit site →