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Learning path › Module 1 · A fresh perspective

Lesson 1 of 10 · 5-minute read

AI is not a search engine

Why typing three keywords into ChatGPT gives disappointing answers — and how to ask better questions.

Goal

Understand the difference between looking up information and collaborating with an AI assistant.

Many people open ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude or Meta AI and type as they would into Google: “marketing strategy Douala”. The answer is generic and flat. It is easy to conclude that AI is not very useful.

The way you frame the request makes a difference.

A search engine finds pages. An AI assistant generates a response.

Google points you to existing pages. A generative AI assistant creates a new response from the information you provide. The more context you give — your situation, goal and constraints — the more relevant the response can be.

A search-style request“sales staff training plan”
A colleague-style request“I run a phone shop in Yaoundé with four sales staff. Suggest a two-week training plan to improve customer advice, with a maximum of 30 minutes a day.”

Three useful ways to work with AI

  • Transform : summarise a long document, rephrase a message or translate while retaining the tone.
  • Structure : turn scattered ideas into a plan, table or action list.
  • Discuss : ask questions, critique your project or simulate a difficult customer.

Where to be careful

For precise, current facts — a statistic, law, price or date — AI can be confidently wrong. Always check the original source (see lesson 7).

Your advantage comes from learning to collaborate effectively with AI.

Try it now

Copy this prompt, replace the text in brackets and compare the response with what you usually get:

I am [your role] in [your city]. My main challenge right now is [describe it in one or two sentences]. First ask me three questions to understand my situation, then suggest three practical approaches I can test this week.

Today's challenge

Take a question you recently asked AI or Google. Rewrite it to include who you are, the outcome you need and your deadline. Compare the two responses.