1. Tutor The simplest role for AI is as a tutor. You ask it to explain a difficult concept, clarify a confusing passage, translate jargon, etc. I mostly did this via the standard chat UI (although I created a ChatGPT project to preserve context for the course.) Example: While reading Freud’s The Interpretation of Dreams, I came across three unfamiliar German terms: es, ich, and über-ich. ChatGPT helpfully explained these are more commonly known as id, ego, and superego — three terms I already understood. Suggested prompt: I just read [PASSAGE]. I understand [X] but I’m confused about [Y]. Can you explain [Y] in plain terms, without assuming I have background in [FIELD]?
Role 1 as Tutor, simplest role. Ask a chatbot for clarification. I think this skips a bit of exploration (wikipedia as jumping off point e.g.), but it is also much more contextual and specific. Includes translation of concepts. You could run this locally I think, and as Jorge states, create a bit of persistent context for it.