AI Levels
The framework · v1

The seven levels

Each level is two things: how much you hand to AI, and the judgment habit that makes it safe to. You only earn a level when you have both.

Level 0

Curious

You haven't used AI much, or tried it once and stopped.

Signs you're here

  • You've never had a back-and-forth with a chatbot
  • You're not sure what you'd use it for
  • You've heard it makes things up and that put you off

The judgment habit

No habit needed yet. Just one useful result on your own problem.

The trap

"I don't know what I'd use it for." The fix is one real task, not more reading.

Quest to move up

Get one real answer

Pick one situation from Start Here and do it today.

Use the Start Here prompt for your situation.

It worked when: You've done it on two different days.

When to move up

Move up when you've had one answer that actually helped you.

Tools today

Tools 2026-Q4 · updated quarterly
ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini (free tier)free
Your phone's built-in assistant appfree