Tell AI who to be and what to do

Step 1 of 6

Before we start

Let's open your helper first.

An AI helper is a free tool that answers what you type, in plain words. The one we use is called ChatGPT.

Open it now. Type chatgpt.com in your web browser, or tap the ChatGPT app if it is on your phone. A browser is the program you use to visit websites.

It may ask you to sign in or pick a plan. That is normal. The free plan is all you need. You cannot break anything here. There is no wrong button to press.

Buddy says

Got it open? Wonderful. If your screen looks a little different than I said, that is fine. Websites just move their buttons sometimes.

The two parts

Name who to be, then what to do.

Your ask works much better with two small parts. A role and a job.

The role tells ChatGPT how to help you. The job tells ChatGPT what to make. Put both in your message and ChatGPT stops guessing. It gets right to work.

The roleAct as a simple planning helper

The jobHelp me make a short grocery list

Pick a safe, everyday task. A grocery list, a short note, or a packing list all work well.

Skip the big stuff. For health, money, legal, or safety choices, ask a real person you trust. Leave out anything private too. That means no passwords, no account numbers, and no full home address.

Buddy says

Two short lines is all you need. Who should ChatGPT be, and what should it do?

See it work

Watch a role and a job team up.

A quick, vague try

make me a grocery list

Add the who, what & how

A clear request

Act as a simple planning helper. Help me make a short grocery list for three easy dinners this week. Keep it practical.

What the AI sends back

Here is a short, practical list for three dinners: - Chicken breasts - Pasta and a jar of sauce - Two cans of beans - Rice - Onions, garlic, and a bag of mixed veggies - Olive oil and salt Want me to add a snack or two?

Both messages ask for the same thing. The second one wins because it names the role, a planning helper, and the job, a short grocery list. So ChatGPT gives a clean, ready list instead of a guess.

You did it

You gave AI a role and a job.

The role says how to help. Start it with Act as a. The job says what to make. Start it with Help me.
Keep it a safe everyday task. For health, money, legal, or safety, ask a real person. Leave out anything private, like passwords or account numbers.
If the answer wanders off, type this back: Please use the role I named and do only this one job.

Buddy says

Two small lines, one clearer answer. That is a real skill, and you did it all yourself!

Tell AI who to be and what to do

Let's open your helper first.

Name who to be, then what to do.

Watch a role and a job team up.

Which message names a helper and one job?

Write your own role-and-job ask.

You gave AI a role and a job.