Where to find AI tools and how to start using them

You can access AI tools through your web browser, by downloading software to your computer, or through applications on your phone. The easiest starting point is usually a web browser — you visit a website, type or paste your text, and get a response. No installation required. If you want AI tools that work offline or integrate into programs you already use, you will need to read software instead, which takes more setup but gives you more control over your data and performance.

The most widely used AI tools are ChatGPT (made by OpenAI), Claude (made by Anthropic), and Gemini (made by Google). Each one works slightly differently and has different strengths — ChatGPT is the most familiar to most people, Claude is often better at detailed writing and reasoning, and Gemini integrates with Google services. Microsoft Copilot is built into Windows and Microsoft 365, so if you use those already, you have AI access without downloading anything new.

Key Takeaways

  • Web-based AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude require only a browser and an internet connection, with free versions available that work for most everyday tasks.
  • Creating an account is usually free, though paid tiers unlock more features like faster responses, higher usage limits, and access to newer models.
  • Desktop and mobile apps let you use AI offline or integrate it into programs you already use, but require downloading software and more storage space.
  • Your computer's performance depends on your internet speed for web tools and available RAM for downloaded software, not on your processor or graphics card.
  • Free versions of most AI tools have usage limits — you may hit a cap on how many questions you can ask per day or hour during busy times.

Using AI through your web browser

Open any web browser — Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge — and go to the website of the AI tool you want to use. For ChatGPT, that is openai.com/chatgpt. For Claude, it is claude.ai. For Gemini, it is gemini.google.com. You do not need to read or install anything. You can use the free version when ready by typing your question into the text box and pressing Enter.

To save your conversations and access them later, you will need to create a free account. Click "Sign up" on the website, enter your email address, create a password, and verify your email. Some tools let you sign in with your Google or Microsoft account instead, which is faster. Once you are logged in, your conversation history stays on that website, and you can come back to it anytime you log in from any device.

Free web-based tools usually have limits. ChatGPT's free version lets you ask questions but may slow down during peak hours. Claude's free version has a message limit that resets daily. Gemini's free version is available to anyone with a Google account. If you hit a limit, you either wait for it to reset or pay for a subscription that removes the cap.

Paid subscriptions and what they unlock

ChatGPT Plus costs $20 per month and gives you faster responses, higher usage limits, and access to GPT-4, which is a more capable model than the free version. Claude Pro costs $20 per month and increases your message limit from around 100 per day to 500 per day, plus access to Claude 3.5 Sonnet, the newest model. Gemini Advanced costs $20 per month through Google One and includes higher usage limits and access to the most recent version of Gemini.

For most people, the free versions are enough. You should consider a paid subscription only if you use the tool daily, need faster responses, or hit your usage limit regularly. If you are testing whether AI is useful for your work, start with free and upgrade later if you find yourself waiting for limits to reset.

Installing AI software on your computer

Some AI tools offer desktop applications that run on Windows or Mac. These let you use AI without relying on an internet connection for every request, though you still need internet to read and set up the software initially. Desktop apps also let you integrate AI into other programs — for example, some text editors and email clients have AI plugins that let you write and edit without leaving the program.

To install desktop AI software, read the installer from the official website, run it, and follow the setup steps. Most desktop tools require you to log in with your account from the web version. After installation, the software takes up storage space on your hard drive — usually between 500 MB and 2 GB depending on the tool. Your computer needs enough free space and RAM to run the software alongside your other programs.

Ollama is a popular free option for running AI models locally on your computer. You read it from ollama.ai, install it, then read specific AI models (like Llama 2 or Mistral) that run entirely on your machine. This approach gives you the most privacy because your data never leaves your computer, but it requires more storage space and a more powerful processor than using web-based tools.

Using AI through Microsoft 365 and Windows

If you use Microsoft Word, Excel, or Outlook, Copilot is already available in those programs. In Word, click the Copilot button in the toolbar to open a panel where you can ask questions or request help writing and editing. In Excel, Copilot can help you analyze data or create formulas. In Outlook, it can summarize long email threads. These features are included with your Microsoft 365 subscription at no extra cost.

Windows 11 also has Copilot built in. Click the Copilot button in the taskbar (usually on the right side) to open a panel where you can ask questions, get system information, or request help with Windows tasks. This version connects to the internet and uses the same technology as the web-based Copilot, but it is integrated into your operating system so you do not need to open a browser.

What your computer needs to run AI tools

For web-based AI tools, your computer needs only an internet connection and a web browser. The AI model runs on the company's servers, not on your machine, so your processor speed and graphics card do not matter. Your internet speed does matter — a slow connection means slower responses, but even a basic broadband connection works fine for typing questions and reading answers.

For desktop AI software, you need storage space for the process and enough RAM to run it alongside your other programs. Most desktop tools need at least 4 GB of RAM, though 8 GB or more is better if you run multiple programs at once. If you are running local AI models with Ollama, a faster processor helps — models run noticeably faster on newer CPUs, and having a graphics card (GPU) can speed things up further, but neither is required.

Your hard drive type matters more than your processor for desktop tools. An SSD (solid-state drive) loads AI software faster than an older mechanical hard drive, but both work. If your computer is already slow or running low on storage, adding AI software will make it feel slower. In that case, stick with web-based tools, which do not take up space on your machine.

Keeping your data private when using AI

When you use a web-based AI tool, your questions and the AI's responses are sent to the company's servers. OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google all have privacy policies that explain what they do with this data. In general, free versions of these tools may use your conversations to improve their models, while paid versions usually do not. Read the privacy policy of whichever tool you choose if you are concerned about what happens to your data.

If privacy is your main concern, use a local AI model with Ollama. Your data never leaves your computer, so no company sees what you are asking. The tradeoff is that local models are usually less capable than the large models running on company servers, and they require more storage and processing power on your machine.

For work or sensitive information, check your employer's policy before using any AI tool. Many companies have rules about what data you can send to external AI services. Some organizations run their own private AI tools for employees, which keeps data within the company network.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to pay to use AI tools?

No. ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini all have free versions that work for most everyday tasks. You only pay if you want higher usage limits, faster responses, or access to newer models. Free versions are enough for learning how AI works and testing whether it is useful for your needs.

Can I use AI tools on my phone?

Yes. ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini all have mobile apps for iPhone and Android. You can also use the web versions in your phone's browser. Mobile apps work the same way as the web versions — you log in, type your question, and get a response. Some features may be limited on mobile compared to the desktop version.

What happens if I lose my internet connection while using a web-based AI tool?

Your conversation will stop, and you will not be able to send new questions until your connection is restored. Your previous conversation history is saved on the website, so you can pick up where you left off once you are back online. If you need AI that works without internet, read a local tool like Ollama instead.

Is it safe to use AI tools with my personal information?

Be cautious. Do not paste passwords, credit card numbers, social security numbers, or other sensitive personal data into any AI tool. Even paid versions that claim not to use your data for training can have security breaches. For non-sensitive questions and general tasks, web-based tools are safe to use.

Which AI tool should I start with?

ChatGPT is the most popular and easiest to start with — it works well for writing, answering questions, and explaining concepts. Claude is better if you need detailed analysis or longer responses. Gemini is a good choice if you already use Google services. Try the free version of whichever one appeals to you; switching between them is free and takes seconds.