Creating Your AI Account
Step-by-step instructions to set up your account on Claude, ChatGPT, and Gemini.
The Big Three AI Tools
There are three major AI assistants you should know about. We recommend starting with Claude, but it’s good to have accounts on all three — they each have different strengths.
Claude (by Anthropic) — Our Recommended Starting Point
Why we recommend it: Claude is known for thoughtful, nuanced responses. It’s excellent at writing, analysis, and following complex instructions. It’s also very good at being honest about what it doesn’t know.
How to sign up:
- Go to claude.ai
- Click “Sign Up”
- Enter your email address or sign in with Google
- Verify your email
- You’re in! The free tier gives you generous daily usage
ChatGPT (by OpenAI)
Strengths: Wide range of capabilities, large plugin ecosystem, image generation with DALL-E.
How to sign up:
- Go to chat.openai.com
- Click “Sign Up”
- Create an account with email or Google
- The free tier uses GPT-3.5; paid tier ($20/mo) gives access to GPT-4
Gemini (by Google)
Strengths: Integrated with Google services, good at factual questions, can access current information.
How to sign up:
- Go to gemini.google.com
- Sign in with your Google account
- Free to use with your Google account
Free vs. Paid: What You Need to Know
| Feature | Free Tier | Paid Tier |
|---|---|---|
| Basic conversations | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Daily message limit | Limited | Much higher |
| Latest AI models | Sometimes | ✓ Always |
| File uploads | Limited | ✓ Unlimited |
| Priority access | ✗ No | ✓ Yes |
| Price | $0 | $20/month |
Our advice: Start with the free tiers. They’re more than enough for learning. Only upgrade when you’re using AI daily and hitting the limits.
Setting Up for Success
Once you have your account, do these things right away:
1. Bookmark the Tool
Save claude.ai (or your chosen tool) to your browser bookmarks or home screen. You want it one click away, always.
2. Try a Simple Conversation
Type something simple like:
“Hi, I’m new to AI. Can you explain what you can help me with?”
This gets you comfortable with the interface.
3. Set Your Language Preference
If you prefer responses in a specific language, tell the AI:
“Please respond to me in French” (or Twi, Yoruba, Swahili, etc.)
Most AI tools can communicate in dozens of languages.
Mobile Access
All three tools work great on mobile browsers. Claude and ChatGPT also have dedicated mobile apps:
- Claude app — Available on iOS and Android
- ChatGPT app — Available on iOS and Android
- Gemini — Built into the Google app on Android
Tip for low data: AI conversations use very little data compared to watching videos or browsing social media. A full day of AI use might use less data than 10 minutes of YouTube.
Troubleshooting
“It says my country isn’t supported” — Some AI tools have geographic restrictions. Try using a different tool, or check if a VPN is needed. Claude and ChatGPT both support most African countries.
“The free tier ran out today” — Free tiers reset daily. Come back tomorrow, or switch to a different tool for the rest of the day.
“I’m not sure what to type” — That’s exactly what the next lesson covers!
Next lesson: Your First Prompt — The CRAFT Framework →