How to Use AI to Troubleshoot Tech Issues - CNET
We live in a time where we hop between devices throughout the day, going from one screen to the next. The speed of innovation is faster than ever, and "older" devices can glitch, unable to handle software updates or mercury retrograde. When technology breaks, or you need to troubleshoot an issue, Google and YouTube are handy resources, but it can take a lot of time to find an answer. Now with artificial intelligence, you can get instant answers from a chatbot. No need to watch YouTube "how to" videos on double speed anymore. In this article, you'll learn how to use AI to troubleshoot any tech issue.
Using ChatGPT for Tech Support
Given that ChatGPT is the most widely used AI tool, this is the one we'll use. We'll test three tech-related searches: You can do all your searching at ChatGPT, or log in if you want the tool to access your previous searches. What's special about chatbots vs. YouTube is the conversation element – if you don't understand an instruction or need further context, you can ask ChatGPT to elaborate rather than doing further research on forums and sketchy websites. Time to test it out.
Real-life Examples of Troubleshooting with AI
Here are some examples of how you could use AI to troubleshoot common tech issues:
Example prompt: "Provide a list of clear steps on how to set up labels in Gmail and have emails automatically directed to each folder."
It gave me a super detailed list of instructions. I followed up with a question about applying a filter to a single email, which outlined even more specific steps.
Example prompt: "How to reduce eye strain from computer? I stare at a screen for 8-plus hours a day and have bad eyesight. Provide tips, strategies, science-backed research and product suggestions."
It generated suggestions like adopting the 20-20-20 rule, adjusting my screen light to a yellow hue, prioritizing eye exercises, using artificial tears for lubrication and wearing blue light glasses. (You should double-check any advice it gives you with an optometrist.) I followed up with a question about blue light filtering versus antireflective coating and whether they are the same thing. I told ChatGPT I'm short-sighted and asked for the best product recommendation.
Example prompt: "How can I stream YouTube from my Vizio TV. Provide easy-to-follow steps to set this up."
It gave me two options: Using the YouTube app on your Vizio smart TV, and casting YouTube from your phone or computer to your Vizio TV using Google Cast. Here's the step-by-step guide it created for me: I could keep this browser open as I'm setting it up and ask ChatGPT any follow-up questions in real time. Very handy.
Expand Your Tech Troubleshooting with AI
Aside from the examples mentioned, you could also look up questions like how to unlink your iPhone from your MacBook, security steps to take to protect your computer, how to store all your photos (between phone, hard drive and cloud), how to make your phone grayscale and less addictive, and just about anything else. Heck, you could even upload a screen recording demonstrating a problem you're having and ask ChatGPT to help troubleshoot. Just be aware of what you have on-screen when you record, because the model can access anything shown during the chat. For example, messages or notifications that pop up on your screen.
Always remember to double-check what AI advises, especially when it comes to sensitive topics or security suggestions. You don't want to accidentally lose a lifetime of photos or delete something you shouldn't.
