279: Beyond ChatGPT - My Simple 2026 AI Setup

If ChatGPT is still the only AI tool you’re using, this episode will help you take the next step. In this episode of The Online Course Show, I’m sharing the AI tools I’m actually using in 2026. Not a giant list of random apps. Just the ones that are saving me time and changing how I work. I talk about why I’ve been using Claude as my daily driver AI, how to get better results with simple prompting habits, why “do research” is one of my favorite phrases to add to a prompt, and how Wispr Flow has made it much easier to give AI the context it needs. I also walk through Claude Cowork, how I use Rocky in my own business, why Pikzels has become part of my YouTube workflow, and why Claude Code is worth trying even if you don’t think of yourself as a coder. If AI feels overwhelming, don’t try to learn everything at once. Pick one tool. Try one workflow. Build from there. IN THIS EPISODE • Why ChatGPT is only the beginning • Why I’m using Claude as my main AI tool • How to use “do research” to get better answers • Why AI can sound confident and still be wrong • How to use ELI5 prompts • How to make AI review your work from your audience’s perspective • Why Wispr Flow makes prompting faster • What Claude Cowork does • How Pikzels helps with YouTube thumbnails • Why Claude Code is useful beyond coding CHAPTERS 00:00 Why ChatGPT is only the beginning 01:57 Claude as my daily driver AI 05:42 Prompting tips that make AI more useful 08:54 A simple demo of AI guessing confidently 11:15 ELI5 and audience-review prompts 15:45 Wispr Flow and voice-first prompting 19:24 Claude Cowork and AI agents 22:36 Pikzels for YouTube thumbnails 25:30 Claude Code for apps and bigger projects 29:15 Where to start if AI feels overwhelming   LINKS AND RESOURCES Claude: https://claude.com/download Wispr Flow: https://wisprflow.ai/r?JACQUES92 Pikzels: https://pikzels.com/?via=jacques63 Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/AzQiZEiQF-8 Get your Personalized AI Game Plan: https://jacqueshopkins.com/ai-start   Some links may be affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.