Have you ever asked someone for directions and received confusing, jumbled instructions that left you more lost than before? That’s exactly what happens when we don’t communicate clearly with artificial intelligence (AI) tools. In the technology world, there’s an old saying that rings especially true when working with AI: “garbage in, garbage out.” Today, we’ll explore what this means and why it matters for everyone using AI tools, especially those of us who are just beginning our AI journey.

What Does “Garbage In, Garbage Out” Mean?

Think of AI as a very literal-minded helper who wants to assist but can only work with exactly what you tell it. Just like following a recipe, if the instructions are unclear or missing steps, the result probably won’t be what you hoped for. When we give AI tools unclear or poorly structured requests (the “garbage in”), we get confusing or unhelpful responses (the “garbage out”).

Why Clear Communication Matters

Remember the days when we first learned to use email or text messages? We discovered that without facial expressions and tone of voice, our written words needed to be extra clear to avoid misunderstandings. The same principle applies when communicating with AI – but it’s even more important because AI doesn’t have common sense or life experience to fill in the gaps.

Let’s look at some real-world examples that show the difference clear communication can make.

Example 1: Writing a Family Recipe

Unclear Request (Garbage In): “Write recipe”

This vague request doesn’t give the AI any information about what kind of recipe you want, how many people it’s for, or any dietary requirements. The AI might give you anything from a complex French dish to a simple sandwich.

Clear Request (Quality In): “Please write a recipe for a traditional apple pie that serves 8 people. Include a list of ingredients, step-by-step instructions, and baking temperature. The recipe should be suitable for beginners and use common kitchen equipment.”

This detailed request helps the AI understand exactly what you need and provides all the necessary context for a useful response.

Example 2: Getting Travel Information

Unclear Request (Garbage In): “Tell me about hotels”

This request is too broad and doesn’t specify location, budget, or preferences, leading to generic or irrelevant information.

Clear Request (Quality In): “Please recommend three senior-friendly hotels in downtown Boston that are within walking distance of the Freedom Trail. They should have elevator access, be in the moderate price range ($150-250 per night), and include breakfast. I’m planning to visit in September 2025.”

This request provides specific details about location, accessibility needs, budget, and timing, allowing the AI to give relevant and helpful recommendations.

Example 3: Getting Tech Help

Unclear Request (Garbage In): “My email isn’t working help”

This request doesn’t specify the email service, device being used, or the nature of the problem.

Clear Request (Quality In): “I’m using Gmail on my iPad, and when I try to send emails, they’re staying in my outbox. This started happening yesterday after the latest iPad update. Please give me step-by-step instructions to fix this issue, using simple, non-technical language.”

This request provides context about the device, software, specific problem, and asks for instructions in an accessible format.

Tips for Clear Communication with AI

1. Be Specific About Your Goals Instead of asking “How do I use Facebook?” try “Please show me how to post a photo album from my grandson’s graduation to my Facebook profile, including how to add captions to the photos.”
2. Provide Relevant Context Share important details like your experience level, any limitations, or specific preferences. For example: “I’m new to smartphones and using an iPhone 13. Please explain how to set up emergency contacts using simple terms.”
3. Break Down Complex Requests If you have a big task, break it into smaller, manageable pieces. Instead of asking for everything at once, start with the basics and build from there.
4. Ask for Clarification If the AI’s response isn’t clear, it’s perfectly fine to ask for simpler explanations or examples. You might say: “Could you please explain that again using everyday examples?”
5. Specify Your Preferred Format Let the AI know how you’d like the information presented. For example: “Please explain this in step-by-step instructions with numbered steps” or “Could you break this down into simple bullet points?”

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Being Too Vague: “Help me with my computer” vs. “Help me set up automatic backups on my Windows 10 laptop”
• Assuming Knowledge: The AI doesn’t know your background or previous conversations
• Rushing: Take time to think about what you really need before asking
• Not Reviewing: Always review the AI’s response to make sure it makes sense for your needs

The Power of Good Communication

When we communicate clearly with AI tools, they become incredibly helpful assistants in our daily lives. They can help us write emails, plan trips, solve problems, and learn new skills – but only if we give them clear, well-structured requests.

Remember, you don’t need to be a technology expert to use AI effectively. You just need to be clear about what you want to accomplish, much like giving directions to a helpful neighbor who wants to assist but needs to know exactly where you’re trying to go.

Continue Your AI Learning Journey

Want to become more confident in using AI tools? Join the GraiPower learning community! Our courses are specifically designed for learners who want to understand and use AI tools effectively, with plenty of practice exercises and real-world examples.

In our supportive community, you’ll find:

• Step-by-step guides for common AI tasks
• Regular workshops and discussion groups
• Friendly technical support when you need it
• Resources tailored to your learning pace
• Fellow learners who share your journey

Don’t let unclear communication hold you back from making the most of these helpful tools. Join our GraiPower course to learn more about effective prompting techniques and become part of our growing community of confident AI users.

Remember, good communication is a skill that improves with practice. Every clear request you make helps you get better results from AI tools, making them more useful in your daily life. We’re here to help you every step of the way!

Ready to learn more? Join the GraiPower community and start your journey toward AI confidence today – you can start with the ‘Explorer’ plan which is absolutely free!