Chatbots: The Most Common AI Tool

Chatbots are AI tools you talk to like texting a friend.

Explorers · Tools Literacy · ~4 min read

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The big idea

Chatbots are AI tools where you type a message and AI types back. ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini are popular chatbots.

Some examples

Type a question, AI replies in seconds.
Many chatbots are free with a sign-in.
Some have voice modes too.
Chatbots remember the current chat but forget when you start a new one.

Try it!

With an adult, open a free AI chatbot and type 'Tell me a fun fact about your favorite animal.'

Here's why "Chatbots: The Most Common AI Tool" matters: Learning about AI is one of the most important skills you can build for the future! Chatbots are AI tools you talk to like texting a friend — and knowing how to apply this gives you a concrete advantage.

Learn what "chatbot" means and why it's important
Learn what "AI tool" means and why it's important
Learn what "interface" means and why it's important

1Find out more about Chatbots: The Most Common AI Tool by asking an AI a question about it
2Talk to a grown-up about what you learned
3Write down one new thing you learned today

Key terms in this lesson

End-of-lesson quiz

Check what stuck

8 questions · Score saves to your progress.

Lesson help

Questions are best handled with a grown-up here.

For this age range, Tendril keeps freeform AI chat paused until parent/guardian consent and child-safe moderation are fully verified. Use the quiz, notes, and related lessons below, or ask a parent, guardian, teacher, or librarian to work through the question with you.

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Related lessons

Chatbots: The Most Common AI Tool

The big idea

Some examples

Try it!

Questions are best handled with a grown-up here.

Keep going

Chatbots: The Most Common AI Tool

The big idea

Some examples

Try it!

Questions are best handled with a grown-up here.

Keep going