Weak
I need captions to promote lunch set.
Basic AI workshop
AI for daily use &
small business.
Notes, prompts and resources from the session. How to ask clearly, how to fix AI’s bad taste, and how to use it in Hong Kong without making a mess of official documents.
What we cover
- AI tools that actually work in Hong Kong
- How to prompt — just clear instructions, not special AI language
- The taste of AI, and how to improve the output
- Everyday use, and use for a small shop or cafe
- Simple visuals
- Helping children study
What AI is,
simply
AI is a technology that can understand what you ask and help you create, learn, solve problems, and get things done.
You give
- a question
- a photo
- a screenshot
- a voice message
- an idea
AI gives
- an answer
- an explanation
- a translation
- a draft
- an image or a plan
Treat it like an intelligent child. It can sound right and still be wrong. It will forget things. You still decide.
Tools that work in Hong Kong
You do not need every app. Start with one chat tool and Notebook LM. Use Perplexity when you need sources.
DeepSeekSolid general chat.GeminiVersatile. Good with files, images and everyday tasks.GrokVersatile. Fast for drafting and images.Microsoft CopilotUseful if you already live in Microsoft 365.Notebook LMVery versatile for studying from your own PDFs and notes.PerplexityBest for research with sources.
These work, but usually need a VPN in Hong Kong:
What is a prompt?
A prompt is simply what you ask or tell AI to do: a question, an instruction, a task, or a piece of information plus what you want done with it. You do not need special AI language. Explain what you want clearly.
Better question = better answer. “Prompt engineering” is just clear instructions.
“Explain this school notice in simple English.”
“Write an Instagram caption for my Nepali restaurant.”
“Make this message more polite and professional.”
“Read this menu and suggest which items I should promote during this season.”
“Create a 3-day family grocery shopping plan under HK$500.”
“Translate this into Traditional Chinese and make it sound natural.”
Prompt structure
- Who / role. Who should AI act like?
- What. What do you need?
- Context. Who is this for? What is happening?
- Rules. Tone, length, language, things to avoid.
- Format. List, paragraph, message, caption.
Better
I run a small Nepali cafe in Hong Kong. Write 3 friendly Instagram captions for our momo lunch set. Simple English, no cheesy words, no more than 2 emojis. Include a clear call to visit us this weekend.
AI has a bad taste
What it loves to write
Indulge in our mouthwatering momos, crafted with love and bursting with flavor. Visit us today and embark on a culinary journey.
Closer to a human
Fresh momo, hot achar, lunch sorted. Our weekday momo set is available from 12–3 PM. Drop by after work or bring a friend this weekend.
Six easy ways to make the output better
01
Give an example
Paste a caption, email or photo you already like.
02
Say what to avoid
No emojis. No sassy words. No “mouthwatering culinary journey”.
03
Ask for options
Give me 5 versions.
04
Ask it to critique
What sounds generic here?
05
Use your own voice
Paste a message you actually wrote and say “match this tone”.
06
Make it local
For Nepali people in Hong Kong. Weekday lunch. MTR nearby.
Everyday AI in Hong Kong
- Explain a tax letter, bank document or school notice.
- Write a message to a landlady, bank or Immigration.
- Translate into natural Traditional Chinese or English, not textbook Chinese.
- Plan meals, shopping, tax paperwork or a budget.
- Learn something: explain this for a beginner.
- Compare choices and help you decide.
For a restaurant, cafe, salon or small shop
01
Social captions
Turn one offer into Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp copy.
02
Customer replies
Polite responses to reviews, complaints and questions.
03
Menu / product copy
Clear descriptions in English and Traditional Chinese.
04
Promotions
10 campaign ideas for weekends, festivals or slow days.
05
Simple design briefs
Tell Canva or an image generator exactly what visual you need.
Do this live
- Bad start: “Write a post about momo.”
- Context: “Nepali cafe in Hong Kong. Weekday lunch set.”
- Taste: “Simple English. Friendly. No clichés. Maximum 1 emoji.”
- Multiply: “Now make versions for Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp.”
- Translate: “Now give me natural Traditional Chinese too.”
A simple image prompt
Image tools have the same taste problem. Be specific. Do not ask for “a nice poster”.
- Subject. What is in the image?
- Place. Where is it?
- Style. Photo, clean ad, illustration?
- Light. Warm, soft, bright, dramatic?
- Format. Square, story, poster, vertical?
- Text, if any. Optional, and keep it short.
AI for learning
& studies
Use Notebook LM or Gemini with the actual syllabus, notes or textbook chapter. Do not let it invent a curriculum.
- Upload. Syllabus, notes, textbook chapter or school PDF.
- Breakdown. What does my child need to learn this month?
- Explain. Explain Chapter 3 for a 12-year-old with examples.
- Practice. Generate flashcards, quizzes and questions.
- Check. Ask why an answer is wrong and where it comes from.
AI can also help you sketch a simple website. Same rule: you still check the words, the facts and the design.
Three rules before you trust it
It can be confidently wrong
Double-check important medical, legal, financial and official information. Ask AI to cross-check. Then check it yourself.
Do not upload sensitive information
No HKID or passport, passwords, bank details, private client files, or children’s personal records.
Use your judgement
Use AI to think, draft and explain. You still decide what is true and what to do.
Keep going.
I drop extra free websites and tricks in the workshop WhatsApp group. If you were in the session and need the notes, a prompt, or a tool recommendation, write to me.
rijalarogya@gmail.com