Free tools / Practical first steps

Pick a task.
Try a tool.

Eight starting points for writing, research, design and learning. Each has a free way to begin and a small exercise to try.

Plan information checked 28 September 2026 against the linked official pages. Limits and availability can change.

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Write and think

Research and learn

Research and learn

Perplexity

Explore a question and follow the sources behind an answer.

Try this first

Ask how solar panels generate electricity and request original sources. Open a source and check whether it supports the explanation.

What’s free? A free Standard plan includes basic searches. Pro searches and file uploads are limited.

Check the answer
Research and learn

Gemini Notebook

Previously known as NotebookLM

Explore material you provide, such as notes and documents, with a research and writing assistant.

Try this first

Add a short document you are allowed to share. Ask for five key points, then compare each point with the original passage.

What’s free? The Standard plan is free with an eligible Google account. Sources, chats and generated outputs have limits.

Review the summary

Create and experiment

Create and experiment

Canva

Make social posts, simple presentations and visual handouts, with optional AI assistance.

Try this first

Choose a free template and turn one idea from the workflow workbook into a three-slide carousel. Use free assets and check the text before sharing.

What’s free? Canva Free includes design tools and a limited AI allowance. Premium assets, features and higher AI usage may cost extra.

Find an idea to explain
Create and experiment

Teachable Machine

Learn how a model recognises patterns by training a small image, sound or pose classifier.

Try this first

On a desktop, teach an image model to distinguish a pen from a mug. Test with new angles and a different background to see where it makes mistakes.

What’s free? Free browser experiment. No coding needed for the basic exercise; desktop use is recommended.

What is an AI model?

Before you choose

Are these tools completely free?

Each has a free plan or free experiment. Most also sell paid features, higher limits or premium content. Start on the free option; a paid trial is different and can renew into a subscription.

Do I need all eight tools?

No. Pick the tool that fits one task. Finish a small exercise before deciding whether another tool solves a different problem.

Can I trust the results?

Check facts, calculations and promises before using them. Source links help with verification, but a cited answer can still be wrong. Use our answer-checking checklist.

What should I practise with?

Start with fictional examples or information you are permitted to use in the selected tool. Check your organisation’s rules before adding work documents.