Joel Lewenstein, the head of product design at Anthropic, found himself in a dilemma when adjusting the irrigation system under his new house. The knobs on the device were confusing, so instead of searching for a manual online, he turned to the Claude chatbot app on his phone. By snapping a photo, the app’s algorithms analyzed the image and provided more information about the knobs’ functions.
Anthropic recently released the iOS app that helped Lewenstein, making it available for everyone to download. Intrigued by the app, I decided to try it out as part of my goal to experiment with different chatbots this year. I spoke with Lewenstein over video to get tips on using Claude and asking questions in a way that elicits useful answers.
Here are some key takeaways from our conversation:
1. Engage in Conversations: Chatbots like Claude are not like Google Search, so avoid using short, blunt queries. Instead, have a conversation with the chatbot by using more detailed prompts.
2. Utilize Images: AI image analysis is a valuable feature of Anthropic’s chatbot. Use images as a starting point for conversations with Claude, as it can provide quick insights, although it may not always be accurate.
3. Provide Clear Instructions: When interacting with Claude, be direct and provide clear instructions. If you’re not getting the desired results, offer feedback to the chatbot on how you want the answers formatted and the tone you prefer.
4. Keep Trying: If your initial query doesn’t yield satisfactory results, continue the conversation with follow-up questions. Avoid starting a new conversation thread and instead, provide feedback within the same chat window.
5. Upload Documents: Claude’s ability to analyze uploaded data is a strength. Use this feature for workplace tasks like Excel spreadsheets or personal use like summarizing long documents.
Approach conversations with chatbots as a friendly exchange of messages. Embrace the evolving landscape of AI tools and don’t hesitate to try new options like Claude for engaging and human-like interactions. Stay open to using a variety of chatbots as they continue to evolve and improve rapidly.
