Introduction
Imagine you've just received a new smartphone. It's sitting in front of you on the table, unpacked, turned on, and you're staring at the screen. You have to start somewhere. Create an Apple ID? Set up a Google account? Which settings are important? At this moment, everything feels complicated, even though you know: once you get started, it will feel completely normal.
Many people feel the same way about AI tools like ChatGPT or Claude. They've heard about them, they want to try them out, but the first step feels like a hurdle. Where do I sign up? What does it cost? What do I even type in?
The good news upfront: You'll be ready to go in ten minutes. No credit card needed, no technical knowledge required. That's exactly what this article is about. I'll show you step by step how to sign up for the most important AI tools, what you'll see on the screen, and what you can type in first.
Why Signing Up is the Most Important Step
Before we get started, a quick thought: Most people who want to try AI don't fail because of the technology. They fail at STARTING. The difference between "I should try that" and "I use AI regularly" is often just a single sign-up.
Think back to the first time you signed up for a social network. Or an online store. At first, it might have felt foreign. Today, you do it without thinking. It will be the same with AI tools.
The point is: You don't have to understand everything before you start. You just have to start. The rest will come naturally as you use the tools. So let's take that first step together.
Step by Step: Creating a ChatGPT Account
ChatGPT by OpenAI is the most well-known AI tool worldwide. Millions of people use it daily, from students structuring their homework to CEOs preparing presentations. Signing up takes about five minutes.
Here's how to proceed:
Open your browser and go to chat.openai.com. You'll land on a simple page with an input field and two buttons: "Sign In" and "Sign Up". Click on "Sign Up".
Now you have several options. You can sign up with your email address or use an existing account, such as your Google account, Microsoft account, or Apple ID. The quickest option is often the Google account, if you have one. One click, and you're almost done.
If you register with your email address, enter it and choose a password. Then you'll receive a confirmation email. Click on the link in that email, and you're all set.
After registration, OpenAI will ask for your name. You can enter your real name here or use a nickname. This doesn't affect usage. You may also be asked for your date of birth, which is for age verification.
What does it cost?
The basic version of ChatGPT is free. You can get started immediately without entering payment information. There is also a paid version called "ChatGPT Plus" that offers faster responses and access to newer features. For starters, the free version is more than sufficient. You can upgrade later if you find you need more.
Step by Step: Creating a Claude Account
Claude is the AI tool from Anthropic and is known for providing particularly good longer, thoughtful responses. Many people appreciate Claude for texts, analyses, and creative tasks. The sign-up process is similar to that of ChatGPT.
Here's how to proceed:
Open your browser and go to claude.ai. You'll see a clear homepage with the option to sign in or register. Click on "Get started" or "Register".
Again, you can sign up with your email address or with a Google account. If you choose Google, you'll be done in just a few clicks. With the email option, you'll receive a confirmation code sent to your address. Enter that code on the website, and you're registered.
Claude will ask you for a brief introduction, whether you'd like to see some tips on how to use it. You can skip this if you want to dive right in, or take a quick tour. Both options are fine.
What does it cost?
Claude also offers a free version. You can send a certain number of messages per day for free. For most beginners, that's more than enough. The paid version "Claude Pro" offers more messages and additional features, but you won't need that at the beginning.
Which Tool Should You Choose?
A question that many people ponder: ChatGPT or Claude? The honest answer: For starters, it almost doesn't matter. Both tools can help you with the same tasks. Both understand your questions, and both provide helpful answers.
Here's a little guidance: ChatGPT has more users and is mentioned more frequently in articles and videos. So if you're looking online for tips, you'll find more material on ChatGPT. Claude, on the other hand, often has a slightly different style; some find the answers to be more thoughtful or detailed.
My suggestion: Sign up for both. It costs nothing and takes about ten minutes in total. Then you can compare for yourself which tool you prefer. You'll quickly notice that the operation is very similar and that you can use both for different tasks.
In Article 3 "ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini & Co. – Understanding the AI Landscape," you've already gotten an overview of the various AI systems. Now it's time to put theory into practice.
Understanding the User Interface
You've signed up and are seeing the chat window for the first time. What do all these elements mean? Don't worry, the interface is simpler than it seems at first glance.
The Input Field
The large text box at the bottom of the screen is your main tool. Here, you type your questions, tasks, or ideas. In ChatGPT, it often says "Message ChatGPT"; in Claude, something similar like "How can I help you today?". This field works like a messenger: You write something, press Enter or click the send button, and the AI responds.
The Chat History
Above the input field, you'll see the chat history. Your messages and the AI's responses appear here. The practical thing is that you can ask multiple questions in one chat. The AI "remembers" what you've already discussed, at least within that one chat.
The Sidebar
On the left side of the screen, you'll usually find a sidebar with your previous chats. Each conversation is automatically saved and gets a title. This way, you can return to earlier conversations later. For example, if you asked for recipe ideas last week, you'll find that chat in the list again.
The "New Chat" Button
At the top of the sidebar, there's a button for a new chat. Click on it if you want to discuss a completely new topic. It's like a fresh sheet of paper: The AI starts without any memory of previous conversations.
Here's a helpful analogy: Imagine you have a very patient assistant on the phone. The input field is your phone receiver. The chat history is the record of your conversation. And the sidebar is your notebook with all previous phone calls.
Your First Chat: What Should I Type?
You're staring at the empty input field. The cursor is blinking. And now? What do you write to an AI first?
The reassuring truth: There are no wrong first words. You can literally type anything, a question, a request, or even just "Hello". The AI will respond. You can't break anything.
Still, here are a few ideas for your first chat:
Ask Simple Questions
Start with something uncomplicated. For example: "What is the difference between espresso and filter coffee?" or "Can you explain what a podcast is?" The AI will give you a clear answer, and you'll get a feel for how the conversation works.
Ask for Help with a Task
Maybe you have a specific task where you need support. "I need to write an email to my landlord because the heating isn't working. Can you suggest a draft?" The AI will provide you with a text that you can adjust and use.
Get Creative
AI can also be creative. Try: "Write me a short poem about Monday" or "Come up with a joke about coffee". This is not only entertaining but also shows you the playful side of these tools.
Ask for Knowledge
The AI has vast knowledge. Ask it about things that interest you: "How does a refrigerator actually work?" or "What was the longest train route in the world?" You'll get informative answers that are often better structured than Wikipedia articles.
One important note: The AI is not a human and not an all-knowing computer. It can make mistakes. Experts call this "hallucinations" when the AI invents something that sounds plausible but is incorrect. Therefore, for important information, you should always double-check the answers briefly. But for getting started, you don't need to worry too much about that.
Common Starting Problems and Solutions
Even though signing up is easy, there are a few typical stumbling blocks. Here are the most common problems and how to solve them.
Problem: The Confirmation Email Doesn't Arrive
This sometimes happens. First, check your spam folder; often, such emails end up there. If you still haven't received anything after five minutes, click on "Resend Email". Also, make sure you've spelled your email address correctly. A typo can happen quickly.
Problem: The Website Loads Very Slowly
Especially ChatGPT can be slow during peak times when many people are using the tool simultaneously. Try again at a different time of day; early in the morning or late at night, the load is often lower. Alternatively, try another tool: If ChatGPT is slow, Claude might work faster.
Problem: The AI Doesn't Understand My Question
Sometimes the AI responds to something different than you meant. This is usually because your question was ambiguous. Don't worry, that's normal. Just rephrase your question or add more details. Instead of "How does that work?" write, for example, "How do I create a table in Excel with the sales figures from the last three months?".
Problem: I Don't Know What to Ask
Many beginners experience this. You're sitting in front of the tool and suddenly have no idea. My tip: Think of a specific situation from your everyday life. What's coming up this week? Finding a birthday gift? Formulating an email? A recipe for dinner? Start with what's currently relevant.
Problem: I'm Afraid of Doing Something Wrong
This is understandable but unfounded. You really can't break anything. The AI doesn't store any personal data that you don't input. You can delete any chat at any time. And even if you ask a "silly" question, no one but you sees the conversation. Feel free to experiment.
First Tips for Better Answers
Even if you're just getting started, a few simple tips can immediately improve your experience.
Be Specific
The more precisely you describe what you need, the better the answer will be. "Write me a text" is less helpful than "Write me a short, friendly text for my website introducing myself as a tiler."
Provide Context
The AI doesn't know who you are or what you do. When you write, "I am a freelance photographer looking for ideas for Instagram posts," you'll get more relevant suggestions than with a general question.
Ask for Clarification if Something is Unclear
You can ask the AI to explain, simplify, or expand its answer. "Can you explain that in simpler terms?" or "Give me three more examples" works wonderfully.
Use Follow-Up Questions
A chat is a conversation. You don't have to fit everything into a single message. Ask follow-up questions if you want to know more. Request changes if the first answer doesn't fit. The AI will respond to your follow-up questions.
In Article 7 and the following articles in Module 2 "The Basics of Prompting," you'll learn much more about how to get the best answers from AI tools. For now, these basics are more than enough.
Privacy: What You Should Know
A brief but important topic: What actually happens to what you write to the AI?
The basic rule is: Treat the chat like a conversation in a public café. Don't write anything you wouldn't tell a friendly stranger. This means specifically: no passwords, no credit card numbers, no confidential business data, no sensitive personal information.
AI providers store your chats to improve their systems. You can often set in the settings that your data should not be used for training, but the safest option is to avoid entering sensitive information from the start.
For normal use, such as asking questions, formulating texts, and gathering ideas, this is not a problem. But if you use the AI for professional tasks involving confidential customer data, you should be cautious. In Module 11 "Safety and Responsibility," we will discuss this topic in detail.
Practical Exercise: Your First Prompt from the Prompt Generator
Now it gets concrete. You've signed up for an AI tool, and now it's time to use it properly. In this exercise, you'll combine your new account with the prompt generator, which you'll get to know in more detail in Article 5.
Step 1: Open the Prompt Generator
Open the prompt generator in a new browser tab. You'll see various fields and options.
Step 2: Select the "LLM" Category
The prompt generator offers six categories. For this exercise, select "LLM," which stands for Large Language Model and is the right category for text tasks with ChatGPT, Claude, and similar tools.
Step 3: Enter a Simple Task
Think of a task from your everyday life. It can be professional or personal. For example: "I want to write an email to my team that our meeting is postponed" or "I need ideas for a quick dinner with ingredients I have at home" or "I want a short text for my craft business that appears on my website."
Step 4: Choose the "Compact" Option
The prompt generator offers three options: structured, compact, and creative. For starters, I recommend the compact option. It will give you a precise, to-the-point prompt that delivers quick results.
Step 5: Generate the Prompt and Copy It
Click on "Generate." The prompt generator will create an optimized prompt based on your input. Copy this text.
Step 6: Paste the Prompt into ChatGPT or Claude
Switch to the AI tool where you just signed up. Paste the generated prompt into the input field and press Enter. Observe what response you get.
What You Should Observe:
The generated prompt is likely more detailed and clearly structured than what you would have written yourself. Accordingly, the AI's response will be more precise and helpful. This is the difference that good prompts make.
Feel free to try the other options as well: The structured option provides a more detailed prompt for complex tasks. The creative option encourages the AI to provide more unconventional answers. Which option do you like best?
Conclusion: You're In
You've made it. You now have an account with at least one AI tool, you know how the user interface works, and you've started your first chat. That was the most important step, and it's behind you.
In the next article "The Prompt Generator – Your Tool for This Journey," we'll take a closer look at our central tool. You'll learn how to use the prompt generator for various tasks and why it will significantly improve your results with AI tools.
Until then: Experiment with your new account. Ask questions. Request help with small tasks. Play with the possibilities. You can't break anything, but you can discover a lot.
Welcome to the practical AI world. Now it really begins.