How do I sign up for an AI tool?
Signing up for an AI tool takes about two minutes and doesn't require a credit card, technical setup, or downloading software. You create an account with your email address (or Google/Apple login), verify your email, and immediately get access to a chat interface where you can start asking questions. The process is simpler than signing up for most social media platforms.
Which tool should I sign up for first?
If you want the most popular option: Go with ChatGPT (chatgpt.com). It's the most well-known AI tool, has a generous free tier, and works well for general questions, writing help, and everyday tasks.
If you want something equally capable but different: Try Claude (claude.ai). It excels at longer conversations and nuanced explanations, and many people find it more conversational and natural-feeling.
If you already use Google products: Consider Google Gemini (gemini.google.com). It integrates with Gmail and Google Docs, and you can sign up with your existing Google account.
All three are free to start, and you can always create accounts with multiple tools later to compare them.
What the signup process actually looks like
For ChatGPT:
- Go to chatgpt.com
- Click "Sign up"
- Enter your email address (or click "Continue with Google" to use your Google account)
- Choose a password
- Verify your email by clicking the link they send
- You're in—the chat interface appears, ready for your first question
The entire process takes about 90 seconds. There's no phone number required, no credit card needed, and no personality quiz about how you plan to use AI.
For Claude or Google Gemini: The process is nearly identical—visit the website, click sign up, enter your email or use Google/Apple login, verify your email, and start chatting.
Do I need to download anything?
No. All major AI chat tools work directly in your web browser. You visit the website, sign in, and start chatting—just like using Gmail or any other web service.
Some tools offer mobile apps (ChatGPT and Claude both have iOS and Android apps), but these are optional. You can do everything from your phone's web browser if you prefer.
Will they ask for payment information?
Not during signup. The free tiers are actually free—you don't need to enter a credit card or start a trial that will auto-charge you later.
You'll see options to upgrade to paid plans (like ChatGPT Plus for $20/month or Claude Pro for $20/month), but these are completely optional. The free versions have limits on how much you can use them during peak times and don't include access to the absolute latest models, but they're genuinely useful for getting started and understanding what AI can do.
What information do they collect?
At signup:
- Your email address
- A password (if you're not using Google/Apple login)
- Sometimes your name or a display name
During use:
- Your conversations with the AI
- How you use the tool (which features you click, how long you spend, etc.)
Your conversations are saved to your account so you can return to them later, and they're used to improve the AI systems. This is why you shouldn't share passwords, sensitive personal information, or confidential work details in your conversations.
Most tools let you delete your conversation history, and some (like ChatGPT) offer options to disable chat history entirely if you prefer more privacy.
What if I'm worried about privacy?
That's a reasonable concern. Here's what to keep in mind:
Treat AI chats like semi-public conversations. Don't share anything you wouldn't feel comfortable having potentially read by the company's employees or used to train future AI systems.
Don't use real names for sensitive situations. If you're asking for advice about a conflict at work, use "my coworker" instead of "Sarah from accounting."
Check the privacy settings. Most AI tools have settings where you can control data sharing, delete chat history, or opt out of having your conversations used for training.
For most everyday uses—getting recipe ideas, drafting emails, explaining concepts, brainstorming—the privacy trade-offs are minimal. For sensitive work or personal matters, be more careful about what details you include.
Common signup problems and solutions
"I'm not receiving the verification email" Check your spam folder. If it's not there, look for a "resend verification email" button. Gmail users sometimes see OpenAI emails in the Promotions tab.
"It says my email is already registered" You may have created an account before and forgotten. Try the "Forgot password" option to reset your password and regain access.
"The site says 'too many signup attempts'" This usually means you tried signing up multiple times in a row. Wait 15-30 minutes and try again, or try using a different browser.
"I don't want to use my main email address" That's fine—you can create a free Gmail or Outlook address specifically for AI tools if you prefer to keep things separate.
What happens after I sign up?
You'll see a chat interface with a text box, similar to any messaging app. There might be a brief welcome message or tutorial, but you can skip that and start typing your first question immediately.
Your first conversation might feel a bit awkward—that's normal. Start with something simple and low-stakes to get comfortable with how it works. "What are three easy dinner recipes I can make with chicken?" or "Explain photosynthesis like I'm 10 years old" are perfectly good first questions.
For ideas on what to try first, see What should I ask AI for my first try?. To learn how to tell if AI's responses are actually useful, check out How do I know if AI's answer is good or garbage?.