Tech Tuesday: AI That Plans Your Day (So You Don't Have To).

Last week we covered voice search. This week: the AI assistants that actually browse the web and plan things for you.

How AI Can Plan Mum's 80th Birthday (and keep everyone happy)

By Vivienne | Tech Tuesday

Tom lives in Poundbury. His mum's 80th birthday was approaching and he wanted to make it lovely for her. She wanted "a nice day out in Dorset" with Tom, his sister, and her three grandkids (ages 6, 9, 12).

Tom spent two hours Googling: "Family activities Dorset", "Things to do near Dorchester with kids" and "Accessible attractions".

With fifty open tabs, Tom was soon overwhelmed.

His friend said: "Just ask Perplexity."

Tom had never even heard of it, but it turned out to be a helpful solution.

What is Perplexity? (and why it's better than Google for this)

Perplexity is an AI tool that:

• Actually browses current websites (not just old search results)

• Summarises the findings

• Shows you where the info came from

• Has a free to use "standard" version

  
  

Tom opened Perplexity.ai on his phone (no account needed) and typed:

"Plan a day trip from Poundbury for 5 people: two adults in their 60s, one adult in their 30s, three kids ages 6-12. Accessible for someone with limited mobility. Interested in history and nature. Within a 45 minute drive."

What Perplexity Suggested:

Morning: Corfe Castle (ruin walking tour - wheelchairs challenging but kids love it).

Alternative: Clouds Hill (T.E. Lawrence's cottage - flat, accessible, fascinating).

Lunch: The Bankes Arms, Corfe (family-friendly, wheelchair accessible confirmed).

Afternoon: Studland Beach (accessible beach mat, rock pools for kids, National Trust café).

Backup plan: If rain, Bovington Tank Museum instead of beach.

Each suggestion included:

• Exact address

• Opening times

• Accessibility info

• Why it suited the brief

  
  

Tom said, "It planned a better day than I would've in a tenth of the time."

Beyond Trip Planning: What AI Assistants Can Do Now

Whilst Tom used Perplexity in this case, there are plenty of similar tools, and here are some of the most common:

ChatGPT (Most well known):

Good for generally everything - recipes, email drafts, explaining concepts, creative ideas.

Free version works very well chatgpt.com

Google Gemini (Integrated with Google):

Works with Gmail, Google Maps, Calendar but again is well-suited to help with most things.

Ask: "Find emails about the Poundbury meeting" or "Add this to my calendar".

Free version at gemini.google.com

Microsoft Copilot (Integrated with Microsoft):

Works for users heavily invested in the Microsoft ecosystem.

Ask: "Summarise this document for me".

Free version at Copilot.microsoft.com

Perplexity (Best for Research & learning):

Current information (browses web live).

Cites sources (can verify claims).

Tom's favourite now - asks it everything from "Best walking boots under £100" to "What's causing my car's weird noise?" perplexity.ai

Claude (This One's Good at Writing):

Helps write formal letters, edit documents, explain complex topics simply. Free version at claude.ai

Real Poundbury Examples

Residents are using AI to:

• Plan a weekend itinerary for visiting relatives who've never been to Dorset.

• Suggest gift ideas under £50 for a 70-year-old gardener.

• Explain my council tax bill in plain English.

• Create a weekly meal plan using ingredients I already have.

• Draft a polite email to my landlord about the boiler problems.

These AIs handle all of this, for free and instantly!

How to Actually Use Them

Step 1: Pick one (Perplexity for research, ChatGPT for general, Gemini if you use Gmail).

Step 2: Open the website on your phone or computer.

Step 3: Type your question naturally (like talking to a helpful person).

Step 4: Read response, ask follow-ups if needed.

You can even use your voice, pressing the microphone option is typically the way to start, you can even set up voice responses easily too. Take a moment to explore by taking a look around what's available within the AI you choose. For example, Gemini has a 'live' version that replies to you in a number of different voices, you choose it and can change it anytime!

The Myth: "AI Makes Stuff Up"

That might have been true in 2023. It's less true now.

Perplexity cites sources—you can click through and verify. ChatGPT/Gemini now say "I'm not sure" instead of inventing facts.

Still: Don't trust AI for medical/legal/financial advice. Use it for planning, ideas, explanations, drafting—then apply common sense.

Tom's 80th Birthday Result

His family did exactly what Perplexity suggested. His mum loved Clouds Hill. The children spent two hours playing on the beach at Studland. Lunch was excellent too!

Tom's sister asked: "How did you plan all this?"

Tom: "I didn't. AI did."

Your Turn

What would you want AI to plan or research for you?

Email tech@lovepoundbury.org with ideas - I'll be happy to show you which AI tool works best.

Next week: How Google Photos Uses AI to Find Every Photo of Your Grandchildren in Seconds.