The Regular

One useful AI tip, every Tuesday — two minutes to read, written for humans.

Ask ChatGPT or Gemini to identify a mystery plant or bug from a photo

You don't need a separate app for this. Snap a photo of an unfamiliar plant, weed, or garden bug and ask the AI chatbot you already use — it can identify it and tell you whether it's safe to touch in seconds.

Check if a charity is legitimate before you donate — it takes two minutes

Fake charity websites appear within hours of every disaster. Two quick checks — an official registry and a chatbot — keep your money safe.

Ask AI to decode your energy bill — you might be on the wrong rate plan

Energy bills bury overpayment in confusing line items. Paste yours into ChatGPT or Gemini and find out if your rate plan actually fits how you use power.

Turn on ChatGPT's Lockdown Mode before discussing anything sensitive

ChatGPT's Lockdown Mode keeps sensitive conversations text-only — no web browsing, no images, no file downloads. Here's when to use it and what it won't protect you from.

Ask AI to check the tone of a message before you hit send

That reply to your boss, your neighbour, or your grown-up kid might land harsher — or colder — than you meant. A chatbot can flag the problem in seconds, before it costs you an apology later.

Ask AI to translate any official letter into plain English

Government letters and insurance policies are written for lawyers, not for people. A chatbot can turn any wall of text into a clear summary in about 30 seconds.