I photographed a letter from the Council. AI explained it in 10 seconds.

Michael received a letter from the Council about a planning application near his home. Three pages. Dense paragraphs. Planning reference numbers. Legal terminology. Sentences that seemed designed to confuse rather than inform.

He read it twice. Still wasn't entirely sure what it was actually saying or what he was supposed to do about it.

So he tried something new.

He photographed the letter with his phone. Opened ChatGPT. Uploaded the photo. Typed: 'What does this letter mean in plain English?'

Ten seconds later, ChatGPT replied:

'This letter is notifying you that your neighbour at [address] has applied for planning permission to build a single-storey rear extension. You have until 28th March to submit comments if you wish. You don't have to comment — this is just for information. If you want to comment, you can do it online at the Dorset Council planning portal using reference number P/2026/12345.'

Michael stared at his phone. That was it. That's all the letter was saying. Three pages condensed into three sentences that actually made sense.

He's been using it for everything since.

HOW THIS ACTUALLY WORKS

Modern AI — specifically tools like ChatGPT and Google Lens — can now read text in photographs and explain what it means.

Not just read it word-for-word. Actually understand it and translate it into language normal human beings use.

Two ways to do this:

METHOD 1: ChatGPT (Free)

What you need: The free ChatGPT app (iPhone or Android)

How it works:

1. Photograph the letter/document with your phone

2. Open ChatGPT app

3. Tap the camera icon

4. Select the photo

5. Type: 'Explain this in simple English'

ChatGPT reads the entire thing, processes it, and explains what it's actually saying.

What Michael uses this for:

• Planning permission letters

• Council tax correspondence

• His friends letter about lease variations

• Insurance policy documents (the small print nobody reads)

• Pension statements

• Anything with 'herein' or 'pursuant to' in it

METHOD 2: Google Lens (Free)

What you need: Google Lens (built into Google app or Google Photos on most phones)

How it works:

1. Photograph the document

2. Open Google Photos

3. Tap the photo

4. Tap the Lens icon (looks like a camera)

5. Google highlights text and lets you search for any confusing terms instantly

The difference:

ChatGPT explains the whole thing in plain English.

Google Lens lets you highlight specific confusing words/phrases and search for their meaning.

Use ChatGPT when you need the whole letter explained. Use Google Lens when you just need to understand one specific bit of jargon.

WHAT YOU CAN ACTUALLY ASK

Don't just say 'explain this.' Be specific about what you need:

Good prompts:

• 'What does this letter want me to do?'

• 'Do I need to reply to this? If so, by when?'

• 'Is this good news or bad news?'

• 'What are my options after reading this?'

• 'Translate this into language a 12-year-old would understand.'

The more specific your question, the more useful the answer.

REAL POUNDBURY EXAMPLES

Planning Permission Letters

Neighbour applying to make changes? ChatGPT tells you exactly what they're proposing, whether it affects you, and whether you can (or should) comment.

Home Correspondence

Service charge breakdowns. Management company updates. All written in formal language that makes perfect sense to lawyers and nobody else. Photograph it. Ask ChatGPT to explain it.

Council Tax Bills

'Why has my council tax gone up?' Photograph the breakdown. ChatGPT explains the new charges and where the increase actually comes from.

Insurance Documents

That exclusion clause, buried on page 47. Photograph it. Ask: 'Does this mean I'm covered if X happens?'

THE LIMITS (IMPORTANT)

This is brilliant for understanding what something says. It is NOT a substitute for professional advice about what to do.

Use AI to understand:

✅ What a letter is telling you

✅ What jargon means

✅ What your deadlines are

✅ What your options appear to be

Do NOT use AI for:

❌ Legal advice ('Should I sign this contract?')

❌ Medical decisions ('Should I take this medication?')

❌ Financial planning ('Should I invest in this?')

AI explains. Professionals advise. Know the difference.

PRIVACY NOTE (IMPORTANT)

Don't photograph anything with:

• Your bank details

• Passwords or PINs

• National Insurance number

• Credit card numbers

• Medical records (unless you're just asking about terminology)

ChatGPT's free version processes photos on their servers. Don't upload genuinely sensitive financial or personal information.

For general council letters, planning notices, service charge breakdowns? Absolutely fine.

For your bank statement or medical diagnosis? Call the council/bank/GP surgery instead.

WHAT MICHAEL DISCOVERED

'I've been reading official letters wrong my entire life,' he said.

'I'd read them three times trying to understand. Get stressed. Put them in a drawer. Deal with them later. Which meant never.'

Now he photographs them and gets an explanation in seconds. Knows exactly what they're asking and what he needs to do.

The anxiety? Gone.

The drawer full of unopened official post? Empty.

THE OTHER THINGS THIS WORKS FOR

Once you realise your phone can read and explain text in photos, you start using it everywhere:

• Restaurant menus in other languages → Google Lens translates instantly

• Assembly instructions that make no sense → ChatGPT rewrites them step-by-step

• Warning labels on products → 'What does this actually mean?'

• Terms and conditions → 'Summarise the important bits'

• Old handwritten recipes → ChatGPT can even read handwriting (sometimes)

YOUR TURN

Next time an official letter arrives and you read it twice without understanding what it wants, don't read it a third time.

Photograph it. Upload it. Ask: 'What is this actually saying?'

You'll get an answer that makes sense. In seconds. For free.

And you'll wonder why you ever tried to decode this stuff yourself.

GOT A QUESTION? Tried this and still confused? Forward me the AI's explanation and I'll help clarify.tech@lovepoundbury.org

Next week: The free NHS tool that just saved someone's life (and most people don't know it exists)