A type of technology and research field
Each is suited for different tasks
Combine capabilities, tools, and interfaces
Artificial Intelligence (AI): A category of technologies that enable computers to perform tasks such as recognition, generation, and judgment; this site focuses on using AI to assist with everyday work.
Start with What You Want to Accomplish
You want to turn meeting notes into a to-do list, prepare review outlines for students, or organize travel materials into a checklist. These tasks can all use AI, but the capabilities they require are not entirely the same. Thinking about the end result you want first is more helpful than memorizing product names.
This site primarily introduces AI that can process text, images, and other information, and assist with everyday tasks. AI has a broader scope, including technologies for recognition, prediction, and control; this page is not a comprehensive catalog of all AI technologies.
Three Common Types of Assistance
| Type of Assistance Wanted | Example | What Still Needs Verification |
|---|---|---|
| Generate content | Draft a course announcement | Whether time and location are correct, whether the tone is appropriate for the audience |
| Organize information | Extract learning key points from materials | Whether it actually read the material, whether there are omissions or fabrications |
| Execute actions | Create a spreadsheet or presentation file | Whether the tool is available, whether the operation succeeded, whether the file can be opened |
A text-based response can help with brainstorming, but "please send this announcement" still requires sending functionality and appropriate permissions. The application you open affects what materials it can receive and what actions it can perform.
How to Start a Task
First state the goal and key conditions, then provide relevant materials. Once you receive the initial version, check it against your goal: whether the content is well-supported, whether the format meets your needs, and whether the actual operations were completed.
For example, when preparing a lesson, specifying "Grade 7, Silk Road, 40 minutes, includes discussion activities" will significantly affect the output. The next step is not to continuously add more requirements, but to see where the result deviates, then decide whether to provide additional conditions, supply more materials, or switch to a capability that can complete that step.
Can Help, But Cannot Independently Take Full Responsibility
AI may misunderstand requirements, generate unsupported content, or fail when executing tools. Even confident-sounding language may be unreliable. For important facts, externally sent information, and final files, verify them according to the needs of the task.
If a single request can handle a simple rewrite, there is no need to build a complex Agent or workflow for it. Start with whatever is sufficient to complete the task, then go deeper based on actual needs.
Next Steps
First read AI Applications to distinguish between the software you open and the model behind it; or start from Lesson 1.
Think About It
Given "organize notes" and "send the organized results," describe what different capabilities each requires.
Reference judgment: Organization requires reading and processing content; sending also requires a sending tool, destination, and appropriate permissions.
Sources and Scope
Adapted from OpenAI · Agents SDK, OpenAI · Using tools. Technical accuracy verified 2026-09-09; case studies and instructional organization by this site. Specific product support scope and operational methods should be verified separately; this article makes no cross-product feature commitments.