How to use AI to make sense of a confusing letter or bill
A letter full of jargon is exactly the kind of text an AI assistant can translate. It will not replace the sender or a professional, but it can tell you what the letter seems to be asking and what to ask next.
Updated . General information for everyday use, not professional advice.
Remove personal details first
You rarely need to share your identity to get the meaning of a paragraph. Before you paste, replace or delete:
- Your name, address, phone number and date of birth
- Account, policy, claim and member numbers
- Government ID numbers and any card or bank details
- Names of other people, such as family members or doctors
Swap them for [NAME], [ACCOUNT NUMBER] and so on. The explanation will be just as good.
Ask for the plain-English version, then the action list
Here is a letter I received, with personal details replaced by placeholders. Explain it in plain English as if I have never dealt with this kind of letter before. Then list: (1) what they are asking me to do, (2) any dates or deadlines they mention, and (3) three questions I should ask them if something is unclear. [paste the text]
Asking for deadlines separately matters, because that is the part you cannot afford to get wrong.
Use it to prepare for a phone call
If you need to call the company, ask the assistant to turn the letter into a short list of questions and the words to say. "Draft a 30-second opening that explains my situation and what I am asking for" saves a lot of nervous rambling.