108 | ChatGPT - My Personal Tech Support Hero
In many families, there's often one person who becomes the unofficial tech support specialist. In my case, I've taken on this role for my mother, who's in her eighties. My responsibilities range from adjusting the volume on her smartphone to troubleshooting an unresponsive TV remote. While these tasks can occasionally be challenging, they've given me insight into the varying levels of tech support that different generations might need.
However, even as the family's go-to tech person, I sometimes find myself needing assistance with technology-related issues. In the past, my approach typically involved web searches or browsing through online forums. These methods, while sometimes helpful, often led to frustration. Frequently, I would either devise a makeshift solution or abandon my original objective in favor of an alternative approach.
Recently, I've adopted a new strategy: consulting ChatGPT, which has become my primary resource for addressing a wide array of tech-related queries. For example, just today I asked these three questions (with totally satisfactory responses to each!):
“Does Asana notify collaborators when a task description is edited?“
"Is it possible to use Canva to edit and download a video that's 4 hours long?"
"Why might calls to an iPhone be going immediately to voicemail?" (that last one was me as mom's tech support needing to escalate to a pro!)
Moreover, I've found increasing value in ChatGPT's vision capability in its phone app. This has proven particularly useful when dealing with error messages on web pages or deciphering the functions of unfamiliar remote controls—just point, shoot, and ask away!
Advantages of Using ChatGPT for Tech Support
There are several reasons why I've come to rely on ChatGPT for tech-related assistance:
Comprehensive Knowledge Base: It can provide information on a vast range of topics, from simple device operations to more complex technical issues.
Detailed Responses: Often, it offers more extensive information and suggestions than initially requested, which can be highly beneficial.
Interactive Nature: The conversational aspect allows for easy follow-up questions and deeper exploration of topics. In fact, I’ve found myself getting frustrated with Google searches when I want to follow up; it doesn’t know what I mean when I type something like “tell me more about the second one”!
Versatility: As I use it more frequently, I discover new applications for its capabilities. Just scrolling through the more than two dozen conversations I’ve had in the last two days shows a really surprising breadth of topics and types of use, from “What does ikigai mean?” to “How does Google Meet’s companion mode work?” to “Create a table from this screenshot <etc.>”
Considerations When Using AI for Tech Support
While ChatGPT has become my preferred tool, it's important to note that it's not infallible. Yes, there are still periodic hallucinations, so it's crucial to keep your thinking cap on. Don't blindly trust everything it says; rather, use it as a starting point and verify important information.
It's also worth mentioning that while I primarily use ChatGPT due to its feature set and my familiarity with it, other AI tools exist that may excel in certain areas. The key is to explore and find the tools that best suit your specific needs.
Conclusion
AI-powered assistants like ChatGPT can serve as valuable resources for personal tech support. They offer quick, accessible help for a wide range of issues. However, it's crucial to approach their use thoughtfully, combining their capabilities with your own judgment and additional research when necessary.
As technology continues to evolve, staying curious and open to new learning tools and methods is essential. By doing so, we can more effectively navigate the complex world of modern technology. And as you expand your use of generative AI, be sure always to…
Make Good Choices!
Thank you for the reminder about ChatGPT for tech tips—my partner was struggling with the calls going to voicemail, and your article reminded me to ask ChatGPT. PS: It worked!!