Behind the Curtain: Your AI survival kit

Why it matters: In the flood of conflicting views, one broad consensus emerged. Every U.S. citizen should start preparing today for society-shifting AI advancements coming soon.

• So we plucked the best of what AI experts, government officials, business leaders, AI-savvy college students and Axios readers sent us to compile a toolkit for turning AI into a force multiplier for you.

Learn the models: There are many generative AI models you can use now for free. Here's a cheat sheet for where to get each one, what it's best for, and what you get if you upgrade to paid version, via Axios chief tech correspondent Ina Fried:

• ChatGPT (OpenAI): The pioneering chatbot offers image and video generation, and can be used through mobile and computer apps as well as via ChatGPT.com (and even an 800 number). ChatGPT Plus service ($20/month) offers more and earlier access to the latest models, plus additional privacy options. Check out the advanced voice mode's natural back-and-forth conversation.
• Claude (Anthropic): Though less-known than ChatGPT, Claude is favored by many businesses for its impressive coding skills and neutral, helpful tone. The $20-per-month version allows for more usage, priority during busy times and early access to new models.

• Grok (X): Built into X (formerly Twitter), Grok pitches itself as a "truth-seeking AI companion for unfiltered answers" — though its responses tend to be similar to those of other engines. Free users get a limited number of queries and image generations. Paid options include the $30-per-month SuperGrok and premium subscriptions to X (starting at $8/month).
• Perplexity: Perplexity has carved out a niche as a combination of AI chatbot + search engine. The $20-per-month Perplexity Pro service offers image generation and access to a range of models, allowing you to see their different responses in one place.
• Gemini (Google): Google's assistant can integrate with Gmail and offers a well-regarded tool called NotebookLM that can turn your notes (or any document) into a podcast. The $19.99-per-month Pro plan includes more access to its Whisk and Veo video tools plus more storage.
• Meta AI: Meta's AI assistant is available across Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram, with free access to image generation and a chatbot based on the company's Llama model.
• Apple: Apple has the most limited AI of the group. But Apple Intelligence offers a taste of the technology in the apps you already use on your iPhone or Mac, including tools to tweak your writing, create a custom emoji or generate images. Apple Intelligence is free but requires a recent Mac or iPhone.

Experiment aggressively: You only see the possible magic by experimenting. Three easy ways to start:

1. Writing: Train the model to write in your voice by asking the LLM to save your writing style after feeding in things you've written in the past. The more you feed, the better it mimics. Jim has a JimGPT, trained on hundreds of speeches and columns, as well as a saved version of our Smart Brevity™ style, fine-tuned to his personal quirks.
2. Health: Feed in as much health information as you feel comfortable, including lab results, and you'll be amazed by generative AI's ability to help guide you on health choices, workouts, warning signs and supplements. (Always consult a doctor where appropriate!)
3. Research: AI chatbots can be great for preparing for a meeting, understanding a new subject or planning a trip. Just ask for what you want to know — background on a person or company, or some good day trips in the city you're visiting.

Master the prompts: This is the first advanced technology that you don't need to be a computer nerd or coder to master. You simply need to master the art of prompting. These tips are excerpted from a Substack synthesis by Elvis Saravia, a U.K.-based machine-learning research scientist, summarizing a Y Combinator roundtable:

1. Be hyper-specific & detailed (the "manager" approach): Treat your LLM like a new employee. Provide very long, detailed prompts that clearly define their role, the task, the desired output, and any constraints.
2. Assign a clear role (persona prompting): Start by telling the LLM who it should act like (e.g., "You are a manager of a customer service agent," "You are an expert prompt engineer"). This sets the context, tone, and expected expertise.
3. Outline the task & provide a plan: Clearly state the LLM's primary task (e.g., "Your task is to approve or reject a tool called..."). Break down complex tasks into a step-by-step plan for the LLM to follow.
4. Meta-prompting ("LLM, improve thyself!"): Use an LLM to help you write or refine your prompts. Give it your current prompt, examples of good/bad outputs, and ask it to "make this prompt better" or critique it.

Reality check: AI bots are known to sometimes make things up, known as hallucinating. Verify the information you get if you plan to rely on it.

• Be sure you're comfortable with the information you're sharing with an AI assistant. In some cases, companies may use the data you share to train the models or serve advertising. Paid versions sometimes allow you to limit this. This Axios series, "What AI knows about you," details how the various chatbots train their systems.

Know the danger zones: If you're worried about your current major or job, be clear-eyed that the following list is areas AI experts think are most vulnerable:

• Programming and coding jobs, particularly entry-level, are likely to be the first to be hit.
• Telemarketers, some types of teachers, political scientists and arbitrators are quite vulnerable to automation by LLMs, a study by professors at Princeton, NYU and the University of Pennsylvania found.
• Image-generating AI will affect opportunities for interior designers, architects, art directors and mechanical drafters, the study says.

Own it: Figure out, now, ways to leverage LLMs to vastly improve your productivity, creativity and enjoyment. This is a snooze-you-lose moment. But if you jump in, start to master LLMs, and try to 2x your output this year and 10x it down the road, this could be a game-changer for your career.

• We encourage Axios colleagues to share their best findings with others in related gigs so that everyone grows with AI.

Go deeper: "Behind the Curtain: A white-collar bloodbath."