Now that AI has become a common household tool, consumers during this festive season will be the first to experience the advantages of machine learning in simplifying the gift-giving process.
Around this time last year, the renowned language learning model ChatGPT was still in its early stages but has now evolved into a crucial resource for alleviating the stress that often accompanies this time of year.
ChatGPT can spark ideas for gifts, assist in managing holiday finances, and even ease the burden of holiday communications. Even Santa Claus himself sought AI assistance for crafting letters this December.
One of the key benefits is that platforms like ChatGPT are designed to be user-friendly for individuals of all technical backgrounds. However, having some knowledge of specific phrases or prompts can enhance the effectiveness of these digital assistants, and The Post can guide you on this.
Here are ways in which AI can significantly lighten the load this holiday season.
Can AI assist in selecting the perfect gift for anyone?
Every family has that one individual who proves challenging to shop for. Regardless of the reason, interactive tools like BingAI—developed by Microsoft’s OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT—can come to the rescue.
Bing’s interactive system, powered by ChatGPT, takes a step beyond the standard app by being directly linked to the internet. Users engaging with Bing can interact with the AI in real-time, receiving suggestions and links to specific products based on the recipient’s input.
For instance, if you were shopping for a person interested in the New York Islanders and ‘Sopranos,’ a suitable prompt could be: “I’m looking for Christmas gifts for a man who is a fan of the New York Islanders and ‘Sopranos’—any recommendations?”
It’s worth noting that even using the same wording may elicit slightly varied responses. Initially, responses may be broad, but delving into specific details during the conversation is beneficial. Think of it as consulting with a sales associate—don’t hesitate to mention if the recipient already owns a certain item or prefers specific colors.
Providing feedback on responses and starting a new dialogue if necessary are also effective ways to obtain higher-quality recommendations.
Moreover, AI Santa is available to aid parents in understanding their children’s Christmas wishes. The website HandwryttenBySanta.com facilitates parents in sending personalized messages to their children, drafted and delivered as per the parents’ instructions.
Can AI assist in organizing and managing holiday shopping budgets?
OpenAI’s flagship tool can play a pivotal role in structuring holiday budgets effectively.
Users can seek assistance by asking for guidance, such as “I require assistance in creating a budget for Christmas shopping. Please provide a template for purchasing ten gifts for ten individuals.”
In response, ChatGPT generates a user-friendly spreadsheet with editable fields, allowing users to customize and adjust the information. The generated code or plain text can also be copied to other applications. For calculations, users can rely on ChatGPT to verify their math or perform the calculations directly.
Similar to Tom Hanks’ role as the conductor in “The Polar Express,” we all have schedules to adhere to during the holiday season. ChatGPT can also offer support in time management, particularly on Christmas Day.
A prompt like “I need guidance on structuring a schedule for Christmas Day activities, starting with gift opening, meal preparation, and connecting with family over the phone” will provide a detailed list of recommendations on how to navigate through the day’s events.
ChatGPT emphasizes the importance of capturing memories, sending thank-you notes, and staying on schedule, especially as cooking typically begins by mid-morning. The day progresses with phone calls to loved ones, festive meals, and expressions of gratitude for a joyous holiday.
Individuals with specific plans can utilize the technology for precise details, extending beyond Christmas Day to the days leading up to it. It’s also acceptable to use GPT’s version 3.5 instead of the more recent version 4, which has limitations on message volume but is well-suited for festive tasks.
Can AI assist in crafting and designing Christmas cards?
While automated writing tools may not be favored in academic settings, they are a boon for individuals seeking assistance with their Christmas correspondence.
Google’s NotebookLM, touted as an AI tool that facilitates optimal thinking, is an invaluable resource for composing personalized messages to loved ones with minimal effort.
NotebookLM can summarize uploaded documents, extract key points, and even offer suggestions to refine the text, streamlining the writing process.
Furthermore, AI can be leveraged to create unique imagery for Christmas cards this season.
Generative AI platforms like Bing AI, ChatGPT, and Google’s Bard allow users to input descriptive prompts that are transformed into visual representations. A simple command such as “Design a Christmas card featuring Santa and a tree” can yield impressive results.
For those aiming to have standout family Christmas cards, Adobe Firefly can enhance existing images by altering backgrounds using AI through specific prompts, albeit requiring iterative communication for optimal results.
