One small AI project. One less daily frustration. Create a simple, large-print guide for the TV remote you already own. No technical experience required.
Does someone in your family struggle to remember which button changes the volume, returns to live TV or opens their favourite programme? A remote can have dozens of buttons, but most people use only a few. A short, easy-to-read cheat sheet beside the television may help.
You can ask ChatGPT to organise instructions you have checked into a friendly guide. The important bit: ChatGPT cannot see or know your exact remote unless you give it reliable information, so don’t let it guess.
What you will make
- A one-page guide with four to six everyday tasks.
- Large, easy-to-read headings and short steps.
- A printout you can keep near the TV and change whenever needed.
Five simple steps
- Start with the real remote. Write down the exact labels on the buttons you use, such as POWER, HOME, BACK, VOL + and VOL −. If a button has only a symbol, describe it in your own words.
- Pick the jobs that matter. For example: turn the TV on, change the volume, return to live television, or open a favourite app.
- Test each job together. Press the buttons and write down what actually works. Some televisions and set-top boxes have separate remotes.
- Paste the prompt below into ChatGPT. Replace the words in square brackets with your verified notes. Ask for a one-page guide.
- Check, print and practise. Read the draft beside the TV, fix any wrong steps, print it in large type and try it together without rushing.
Copy-and-paste ChatGPT prompt
Copy the whole box. You can type your own notes into the brackets. Do not include private account details.
Help me create a one-page, big-print TV remote cheat sheet for an older adult in Australia.
The exact button labels on our remote are: [LIST THE BUTTONS YOU CAN SEE].
The tasks we have personally tested are:
[TASK 1 + THE BUTTONS THAT WORK]
[TASK 2 + THE BUTTONS THAT WORK]
[TASK 3 + THE BUTTONS THAT WORK]
Use ONLY the steps I provide. Do not invent buttons, menu names, app features or instructions.
If a step is missing, ask me a question instead of guessing.
Write in plain Australian English with:
– A clear heading for each task
– No more than three short steps per task
– Large-print-friendly wording
– Plenty of space between tasks
– A small “What if it doesn’t work?” section using only safe, general checks
– No passwords, account numbers or personal information
At the end, give me a clean version I can copy into a document and print.
A tiny example
Illustrative example only. Imagine you have already checked that the remote has a POWER button and VOL + and VOL − buttons. Your guide might say:
TURN THE TV ON
Press POWER once.
MAKE IT LOUDER
Press VOL +.
MAKE IT QUIETER
Press VOL −.
That’s it. No complicated jargon. Real remotes differ, so the finished guide must match the buttons and steps you tested.
Make it easier to use
- Print with generous text size. Try 18-point or larger for the instructions, then adjust to the reader’s preference.
- Use strong contrast. Dark text on a white background and clear blue headings can be easier to follow than decorative designs.
- Put one action on each line. Avoid long paragraphs and tiny screenshots.
- Ask the person what helps. Some people prefer a printed sheet, others a short demonstration or a handwritten note.
What if ChatGPT gets it wrong?
AI can confidently suggest a button that your remote doesn’t have. Check every instruction against the actual device before using or printing it. If something is missing, say: “That button isn’t on our remote. Remove that step and ask me what we use instead.”
For a TV or set-top box with unusual controls, the manufacturer’s instructions or a trusted support person are better sources for device-specific information.
A quick privacy reminder
You do not need to share a family member’s name, address, account login, streaming password or photos containing private information. Describe only the buttons and the tasks you have tested. Ask permission before taking photos of someone else’s belongings.
Keep learning, one small task at a time
This project is a gentle way to show what AI can do: turn your own information into something clearer and easier to use. Next time, try a simple guide for a microwave timer, washing machine programme or another everyday device, using only instructions you have verified.
For more beginner-friendly activities, visit our Free AI Resources library. It includes copy-and-paste prompts for helping parents, everyday life, kids and grandkids, and small businesses. Everything is free to try.
Everyday AI Simplified — practical AI help for real life.
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