# Take-Home Card

The one-page handout for the Practical AI class. Menus in these apps change often; this card was last checked in October 2026.

## 1. Lock down your settings

| | Turn off training | Private one-off chat | Check memory |
|---|---|---|---|
| **ChatGPT** | Settings, Data Controls, "Improve the model for everyone" | Temporary Chat | Settings, Personalization |
| **Claude** | Settings, Privacy, Model Improvement | Incognito chat (ghost icon) | Settings, memory |
| **Gemini** | Google account, Gemini Apps Activity, Keep Activity | Keep Activity off | Gemini Apps Activity |

Menus change. If you can't find a setting, ask the AI itself: "Where do I turn off training on my chats?"

## 2. Never paste in

Passwords, PINs, account or card numbers, Social Security numbers, or other people's private information. Use placeholders: "Write a letter to [LANDLORD]."

## 3. Ask well (R.O.L.E.S.)

**Role** (who it should act as), **Objective** (what you want), **Limits** (length, budget, tone), **Examples** (show what good looks like), **Specifics** (your situation, plus the actual document or photo).

## 4. One chat per job

**Start a new chat** when the topic changes, when it starts forgetting or repeating itself, or when it keeps returning to a wrong idea.

**Recap and restart:** "Summarize what we've figured out so far as a short recap I can paste into a new chat."

## 5. Let it think

For multi-step problems (math, cut lists, plans, troubleshooting), turn on the "Thinking" option or ask: "Work through this step by step before answering." Then read the steps. Neat-looking work can still be wrong, and the steps show you where.

## 6. Starter prompts

- **Understand something:** "Explain [topic] to a smart beginner with one everyday analogy. Then ask me 3 questions to check my understanding."
- **Improve your writing:** "Edit this for clarity. Keep my voice. Point out anything unclear: [paste]"
- **Get an honest critique:** "What are the three biggest weaknesses in this plan? [paste]"
- **Fix a problem:** "I have [problem]. My setup is [details]. I've tried [list]. What are the likely causes, most likely first?"
- **Make a decision:** "I'm choosing between [A] and [B]. Ask me 5 questions that would help me decide."

## 7. Stay safe

- **Verify** facts, numbers and citations. Click the sources.
- **Supervise agents.** Approve anything that sends, buys or deletes.
- **Connect only what you need** (email, calendar, files) and disconnect what you don't use.
- **Scam defense:** agree on a family code word; call back on a number you already have.
- **Safety, medical, legal, money:** use AI to prepare questions, then ask a qualified person. In the shop, tool training and the manual win.

## Free places to start

- ChatGPT: chatgpt.com
- Claude: claude.ai
- Gemini: gemini.google.com