10 Easy AI Prompts to Save Time at Work

Most of the workday goes to small tasks, like replying to emails, organizing notes, and writing the same kinds of messages over and over. An AI chatbot can take a first pass at many of them in seconds.

Below are 10 prompts you can copy, paste, and tweak. If you’re new to this, start with our guide to [What Is ChatGPT?]. These work in ChatGPT and most other AI chatbots.

How to use these prompts

Replace anything in [brackets] with your own details. The more context you give, the better the result. If the first answer isn’t quite right, follow up with something like “make it shorter” or “use a friendlier tone.” OpenAI’s prompting fundamentals guide covers this clear-and-specific approach in more depth.

1. Write a clear email
“Write a polite, professional email to [person] about [topic]. Keep it under 120 words and end with a clear next step.”

2. Reply to a tricky message
“Here’s an email I received: [paste email]. Write a calm, friendly reply that says [your main point].”

3. Summarize meeting notes
“Turn these notes into a short summary with three sections: key decisions, action items with owners, and open questions. Notes: [paste notes].”

4. Plan your day
“I have these tasks: [list]. I have [number] hours available. Put them in a sensible order and suggest what I can skip or delegate.”

5. Make a long document shorter
“Summarize this in five bullet points for someone who has 30 seconds: [paste text].”

6. Prepare for a meeting
“I’m meeting with [person or team] about [topic]. Give me five smart questions to ask and three points I should be ready to explain.”

7. Brainstorm ideas
“Give me 10 ideas for [project or problem]. Make five practical and five creative, with one sentence on each.”

8. Turn rough notes into a clean document
“Here are my rough notes: [paste notes]. Turn them into a clear one-page [memo, checklist, or how-to guide] with headings.”

9. Improve your writing
“Edit this for clarity and tone without changing the meaning. Keep it concise and friendly: [paste text].”

10. Explain something confusing
“Explain [topic] in plain English, using a simple example. Assume I’m smart but new to it.”

A few cautions

1. Don’t paste private information. Leave out passwords, customer data, and anything your employer wouldn’t want shared. Check your workplace’s AI policy first.
2. Check the facts. AI can sound sure and still be wrong, so review names, numbers, and dates.
3. Make it yours. Treat the output as a first draft and edit it into your own voice.

Keep going

Internal link: What Is ChatGPT? A Simple Beginner’s Guide
Internal link: 7 Best Free AI Tools for Beginners

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