What You'll Learn
How to use AI to quickly get up to speed on any new subject — with sourced information you can verify. Ideal before a meeting, job interview, or starting a project.
Why This Matters
Traditional research means opening 10 browser tabs and spending an hour piecing things together. AI gives you a structured overview in minutes, highlights what's most important, and lets you ask follow-up questions — all in one place.
Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Start with a broad overview
Give me a beginner's overview of [topic].
Include: what it is, why it matters, key concepts I should know,
and any common misconceptions.
Step 2: Go deeper on what matters most
Once you have the overview, identify the areas most relevant to your situation:
I'm researching [topic] because [reason].
What are the 5 most important things I should focus on?
Step 3: Ask about current state and trends
What are the latest developments in [topic] as of [year]?
What are the main debates or open questions in this area?
Step 4: Check your understanding
Test my understanding: ask me 3 questions about what I've just learned,
then tell me if my answers are correct.
Step 5: Build a reading list
What are the best resources for learning more about [topic]?
Include a mix of beginner and intermediate sources.
Tips for Better Results
- Use Perplexity AI for fact-checking. It cites sources with links you can click to verify.
- Use NotebookLM for document-based research. Upload PDFs and ask questions about specific content.
- Ask for a structured summary at the end. "Summarise everything we've covered in bullet points I can save."
- Be honest about your starting point. "I know nothing about this" vs "I understand the basics but not X" changes the response significantly.
- Cross-check important facts. AI can make mistakes on specific details — always verify critical information from primary sources.