AI in your apps
You don't need a chatbot to meet AI. It's already in your search engine, your office apps and your phone. Like a new housemate you didn't invite, it helps, and it makes mistakes. Learn to spot it, and to stay in charge.
First, what do you think?
You search for something online. Above the results, there's a neat summary. Who wrote it? Have a guess.
Where is AI in your apps?
The whole story in three sentences. AI isn't only in chatbots. It's built into search engines, office apps and phones. You use it, sometimes without noticing.
Think of a new housemate. You didn't invite him, but there he is. He's often helpful: he tidies up, he answers the door. But he also gets things wrong. And he sees what's in your house.
- In your search engine. In many countries, Google shows an AI Overview above the results. That's a summary by AI, with links to sources.
- In your office apps. Copilot in Word can draft text, summarise a document and rewrite a paragraph. It needs a Microsoft 365 subscription.
- Everywhere else. The European Parliament lists AI in daily life. Think of recommendations in web shops, digital assistants and translation.
Two of the tools from this course are also built into other apps:
Copilot
- Made by
- Microsoft
- Can make or do
- text, images, audio, tasks
- Free
- Yes, with limits
- Paid
- Part of Microsoft 365 subscriptions
- Minimum age
- 13 years
- Good for
- Chatting and making images
- Help in Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook (with Microsoft 365)
- Watch out
- Sometimes older than 13, depending on your country
- Microsoft itself says Copilot can make mistakes: check it
Checked on 28-10-2026. Tools change often; the maker's site is always right.
Gemini
- Made by
- Can make or do
- text, images, search
- Free
- Yes, with a Google account
- Paid
- Google AI subscriptions in several levels
- Minimum age
- 13 years
- Good for
- Chatting and making images
- Deep Research
- a report from many websites
- Watch out
- Some chats are read by people at Google: don't type anything confidential
- With Keep Activity on, your chats can be used for training
Checked on 28-10-2026. Tools change often; the maker's site is always right.
What the predictor does
The built-in AI is the same predictor. That's the rule.
So it makes the same kind of mistakes. Google writes it plainly about AI Overviews: AI responses may include mistakes. A summary above your search results looks official, but it's a prediction.
Microsoft gives similar advice for Copilot in Word: review the result. The text sounds finished. It's still a draft.
The difference with a chatbot: you didn't open it on purpose. So you may forget it's AI.
The housemate is the same predictor. Spot it, click through, and review before you keep anything.
Try it yourself
Three moments with AI in an app. What do you do?
Everything runs in your browser. Nothing you type is sent anywhere.
How do you stay in charge?
Four steps. Start with your next search.
Spot the AI
Look for the label: "AI Overview", a Copilot button, a suggestion that writes for you. Know when it's AI.
Click through
An AI Overview has links. Google itself says: click the links to supporting information. Read the source for anything that matters.
Review before you keep
A draft in Word, a suggested reply, a summary: read it first. Keep, change or throw away.
Know your options
You can't turn AI Overviews off. But after searching, the Web filter shows only links. At work, your employer decides which AI features are on.
In practice
Three people meet the housemate.
Case 1The summary above the results
Thijs (13) searches how long a hamster lives. An AI Overview gives a number. He writes it in his talk.
Take the summary, because it's at the top.
It's a prediction. Google says AI responses may include mistakes.
Click one of the links. Check the number on a vet's or animal welfare site.
His talk is based on a source, not a summary.
Case 2The meeting notes
Annemiek (44) lets Copilot summarise a long meeting document in Word. The summary looks complete.
Send it to the team as is.
Microsoft advises to review the result. A summary can leave out what matters, or get a detail wrong.
Read it next to the original. Fix it, then send it.
The team gets a summary she stands behind.
Case 3"I only want links"
Bram (61) finds the AI summaries confusing. He only wants a list of websites, like before.
Search for a setting to turn it off, and give up.
Google says AI Overviews can't be turned off.
After searching, click the Web filter. That shows only text links.
He searches the way he likes.
When not to
- Not as the final word on health, money or lawIt's still a prediction.Click through to an official source.
- Not without reviewing a draftBuilt-in AI writes text that sounds finished.Read it before you send it.
- Not with confidential data, unless allowedBuilt-in AI sees what you work on.Ask which features are approved.
By situation
An AI Overview is not a source. Click through, and cite the website you read.
Copilot and similar features save time on drafts and summaries. Review everything, and follow your employer's rules about what you may use them for.
Recommendations, suggested replies, summaries in search. Enjoy the help, but click through when it matters.
Myths and mistakes
| Claim | True? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| The summary at the top is checked | No | It's AI-generated. Google says it may include mistakes. |
| I don't use AI, I just search | Not quite | Search engines show AI summaries too. |
| Built-in AI is safer than a chatbot | No | It's the same kind of predictor. Review it. |
| I can always turn it off | Not always | AI Overviews can't be turned off. The Web filter helps. |
Related topics
Read first
- Image and media toolsthe tools you choose yourself.
Next
- Free or paidwhat you get for free, and what costs money.
Related
- Search and researchsearching with AI on purpose.
Sources
- documentationGoogle. AI Overviews in Google Search.An AI Overview is an AI-generated summary above the search results, with links to sources. AI responses may include mistakes. You can't turn it off, but the Web filter shows only links.
- documentationMicrosoft. Welcome to Copilot in Word.Copilot in Word drafts new text, summarises a document and rewrites text. Microsoft advises: review the result. It needs a Microsoft 365 subscription or Copilot license.
- governmentEuropean Parliament. What is artificial intelligence and how is it used?.AI in daily life: recommendations in online shops, web search, digital assistants, machine translation, smart thermostats, safety features in cars, cybersecurity.
Test
You get 7 questions about the whole page. Get 5 right, and you've mastered the topic.
About the tools in this course. Every tool is described in the same way, in alphabetical order, without a recommendation. Names, prices and features change often: the maker's own site is always right. This site was built with the help of Claude, one of the tools described here.