www.zdnet.com Open in urlscan Pro
2a04:4e42:4d::666  Public Scan

Form analysis
2 forms found in the DOM

<form class="c-smartSearch_form"><input aria-label="Search" placeholder="What are you looking for?" type="search" autocomplete="off" aria-autocomplete="list" aria-activedescendant="" aria-controls="c-searchSmartSearchResults" name="query" value="">
  <button type="submit"><span class="search-go">Go</span> <svg>
      <use xlink:href="#arrow-thin" aria-hidden="false"></use>
    </svg></button></form>

<form><span class="vjs-social-title">Share: </span>
  <h2 class="vjs-social-description"></h2>
  <div class="vjs-social-share-links">
    <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.zdnet.com%2Fvideo%2Fare-you-prepared-for-the-future-of-ai-automation-and-jobs%2F&amp;title=" class="vjs-social-share-link vjs-icon-facebook" aria-label="Share on Facebook" title="Facebook" target="_blank">
          <span class="vjs-control-text">Facebook</span>
        </a>
    <a href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fabout.twitter.com%2Fresources%2Fbuttons&amp;text=&amp;tw_p=tweetbutton&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.zdnet.com%2Fvideo%2Fare-you-prepared-for-the-future-of-ai-automation-and-jobs%2F" class="vjs-social-share-link vjs-icon-twitter" aria-label="Share on Twitter" title="Twitter" target="_blank">
          <span class="vjs-control-text">Twitter</span>
        </a>
  </div><label class="vjs-social-direct-link" aria-label="Read Only: Direct Link To Content"><span class="vjs-social-label-text">Direct Link</span><input type="text" readonly="true" value=""></label><label class="vjs-social-embed-code"
    aria-label="Read Only: Embed Code"><span class="vjs-social-label-text">Embed Code</span><input type="text" readonly="true" value=""></label>
</form>

Text Content

X

Trending
 * Everything announced at Made by Google 2024
 * Google Pixel 9 Pro XL vs Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
 * Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold vs Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6
 * Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold vs Pixel Fold
 * Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold vs OnePlus Open
 * Google Pixel 8a vs every major sub-$500 Android phone
 * 

 * These are the AirTags that Android users have been waiting for
 * One of the best budget tablets I've tested replaced both my Kindle and iPad
 * I love everything about this Android tablet for only $219
 * Pixel Buds Pro 2 vs Galaxy Buds 3 Pro
 * iPhone 15 review: Why I recommend this model even to 'Pro' users in 2024
 * The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 is on sale for just $99 right now
 * 

 * How to upgrade your 'incompatible' Windows 10 PC to Windows 11
 * How to install Windows 11 the way you want (bypass restrictions)
 * How to download YouTube videos for free
 * Is Temu legit? Everything to know before you place your first order
 * What is ChatGPT and why does it matter?
 * ZDNET Recommends
   

Tech
 * Gaming
 * Headphones
 * Laptops
 * Mobile Accessories
 * Networking
 * PCs
 * 

 * Printers
 * Smartphones
 * Smart Watches
 * Speakers
 * Streaming Devices
 * Streaming Services
 * 

 * Tablets
 * TVs
 * Wearables
 * 

 * Kitchen & Household
 * Office Furniture
 * Office Hardware & Appliances
 * Smart Home
 * Smart Lighting
 * Yard & Outdoors
   

Innovation
 * Artificial Intelligence
 * AR + VR
 * Cloud
 * Digital Transformation
 * Energy
 * 

 * Robotics
 * Sustainability
 * Transportation
 * Work Life
 * 

 * Accelerate your tech game Paid Content
 * How the New Space Race Will Drive Innovation
 * How the metaverse will change the future of work and society
 * 

 * Managing the Multicloud
 * The Future of the Internet
 * The New Rules of Work
 * The Tech Trends to Watch in 2023
   

Business
 * See all Business
 * Amazon
 * Apple
 * Developer
 * E-Commerce
 * 

 * Edge Computing
 * Enterprise Software
 * Executive
 * Google
 * Microsoft
 * 

 * Professional Development
 * Social Media
 * SMB
 * Windows
 * 

 * How AI is transforming organizations everywhere
 * The intersection of generative AI and engineering
 * Software development: Emerging trends and changing roles
   

Security
 * See all Security
 * Cyber Threats
 * Password Manager
 * Ransomware
 * VPN
 * 

 * Cybersecurity: Let's get tactical
 * Securing the Cloud
   

Advice
 * Deals
 * How-to
 * Product Comparisons
 * Product Spotlights
 * Reviews
   

Buying Guides
 * See all Buying Guides
 * Best Samsung phones
 * Best Android phones
 * Best smart rings
 * Best blood pressure watches
 * Best headphones for sleeping
 * 

 * Best robot vacuum mops
 * Best web hosting services
 * Best travel VPNs
 * Best VPNs
 * Best AI image generators
 * Best AI chatbots
 * 

 * Best 75-inch TVs
 * Best smartphones
 * Best iPhones
 * Best MagSafe battery packs
 * Best digital notebooks
 * Best TV antennas
 * 

 * Best TVs
 * Best laptops
 * Best tablets
 * Best smartwatches
 * Best headphones
 * Best live TV streaming services
   

tomorrow belongs to those who embrace it today
 * ZDNET France
 * ZDNET Germany
 * ZDNET Korea
 * ZDNET Japan
   

Go

Most Popular



 * See all Topics
 * Finance
 * Education
 * Health
   

 * Special Features
 * ZDNET In Depth
 * ZDNET Recommends
   

 * Newsletters
 * Videos
 * Editorial Guidelines
   

 * Trending
   Everything announced at Made by Google 2024 Google Pixel 9 Pro XL vs Samsung
   Galaxy S24 Ultra Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold vs Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 Google
   Pixel 9 Pro Fold vs Pixel Fold Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold vs OnePlus Open Google
   Pixel 8a vs every major sub-$500 Android phone
   These are the AirTags that Android users have been waiting for One of the
   best budget tablets I've tested replaced both my Kindle and iPad I love
   everything about this Android tablet for only $219 Pixel Buds Pro 2 vs Galaxy
   Buds 3 Pro iPhone 15 review: Why I recommend this model even to 'Pro' users
   in 2024 The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 is on sale for just $99 right now
   How to upgrade your 'incompatible' Windows 10 PC to Windows 11 How to install
   Windows 11 the way you want (bypass restrictions) How to download YouTube
   videos for free Is Temu legit? Everything to know before you place your first
   order What is ChatGPT and why does it matter? ZDNET Recommends

 * Tech
   Gaming Headphones Laptops Mobile Accessories Networking PCs
   Printers Smartphones Smart Watches Speakers Streaming Devices Streaming
   Services
   Tablets TVs Wearables
   Kitchen & Household Office Furniture Office Hardware & Appliances Smart Home
   Smart Lighting Yard & Outdoors

 * Innovation
   Artificial Intelligence AR + VR Cloud Digital Transformation Energy
   Robotics Sustainability Transportation Work Life
   Accelerate your tech game Paid Content How the New Space Race Will Drive
   Innovation How the metaverse will change the future of work and society
   Managing the Multicloud The Future of the Internet The New Rules of Work The
   Tech Trends to Watch in 2023

 * Business
   See all Business Amazon Apple Developer E-Commerce
   Edge Computing Enterprise Software Executive Google Microsoft
   Professional Development Social Media SMB Windows
   How AI is transforming organizations everywhere The intersection of
   generative AI and engineering Software development: Emerging trends and
   changing roles

 * Security
   
   
   See all Security Cyber Threats Password Manager Ransomware VPN
   Cybersecurity: Let's get tactical Securing the Cloud

 * Advice
   
   
   Deals How-to Product Comparisons Product Spotlights Reviews

 * Buying Guides
   See all Buying Guides Best Samsung phones Best Android phones Best smart
   rings Best blood pressure watches Best headphones for sleeping
   Best robot vacuum mops Best web hosting services Best travel VPNs Best VPNs
   Best AI image generators Best AI chatbots
   Best 75-inch TVs Best smartphones Best iPhones Best MagSafe battery packs
   Best digital notebooks Best TV antennas
   Best TVs Best laptops Best tablets Best smartwatches Best headphones Best
   live TV streaming services

 * More
   
   See all Topics Finance Education Health
   Special Features ZDNET In Depth ZDNET Recommends
   Newsletters Videos Editorial Guidelines

Innovation
Why you can trust ZDNET : ZDNET independently tests and researches products to
bring you our best recommendations and advice. When you buy through our links,
we may earn a commission. Our process

'ZDNET Recommends': What exactly does it mean?

ZDNET's recommendations are based on many hours of testing, research, and
comparison shopping. We gather data from the best available sources, including
vendor and retailer listings as well as other relevant and independent reviews
sites. And we pore over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people
who already own and use the products and services we’re assessing.

When you click through from our site to a retailer and buy a product or service,
we may earn affiliate commissions. This helps support our work, but does not
affect what we cover or how, and it does not affect the price you pay. Neither
ZDNET nor the author are compensated for these independent reviews. Indeed, we
follow strict guidelines that ensure our editorial content is never influenced
by advertisers.

ZDNET's editorial team writes on behalf of you, our reader. Our goal is to
deliver the most accurate information and the most knowledgeable advice possible
in order to help you make smarter buying decisions on tech gear and a wide array
of products and services. Our editors thoroughly review and fact-check every
article to ensure that our content meets the highest standards. If we have made
an error or published misleading information, we will correct or clarify the
article. If you see inaccuracies in our content, please report the mistake via
this form.

Close
Home Innovation Artificial Intelligence


HOW TO USE CHATGPT TO ANALYZE PDFS (AND MORE) FOR FREE

If you're dreading going back to school because of the lengthy reading
assignments, here's how to save time and energy with an AI assistant that can
help with reading, summarizing, and outlining content.
Written by Sabrina Ortiz, Editor Aug. 20, 2024 at 2:00 a.m. PT

 * 
 * 
 * 
 * 
 * 


RANK


TREND

1

Google reveals Gemini Live

2

Google brings Call Notes, searchable screenshots, and more to Pixel

3

Nvidia to train 100,000 California residents on AI

4

MIT creates free database of 700+ AI risks

view trend report

Sabrina Ortiz/ZDNET

From contracts to research papers, most important documents come in lengthy PDFs
-- regardless of what you do, you're guaranteed to encounter them in your
lifetime, and they nearly always contain verbose language. This is especially
true if you are a student because teachers of all grade levels love to assign
PDF handouts. AI can now help you better understand the content and save time
doing so. 



ChatGPT can act as your assistant by parsing through the PDFs and being on
standby for anything you need. It can answer questions, provide summaries, and
even generate content from the text, including outlines, emails, and more. The
best part is that the feature is entirely free. 

Also: How to get ChatGPT to browse the web for free

In May 2024, nearly a year after ChatGPT launched, OpenAI upgraded the free
version of the chatbot with several GPT-4o features typically reserved for their
paying customers, including the ability to upload screenshots, photos, and
documents. Getting started with the tool is easy, and in the long run, it will
save you lots of time and effort. 




HOW TO USE CHATGPT TO ANALYZE PDFS


1. LOG INTO CHATGPT

Even though OpenAI allows you to access ChatGPT without logging in, you will
need to sign in to your account to use GPT-4o and its advanced features,
including Browse, Vision, data analysis, file uploads, and GPTs.

Also: How to use ChatGPT to write Excel formulas

If you have never created a ChatGPT account, you can easily do so from the
sign-in page or login with your existing Google or Microsoft account. I opted
for the latter option, so I don't have to memorize another username and
password. 





Screenshot: Maria Diaz/ZDNET


2. UPLOAD YOUR PDF

Once you sign in, you will be brought to the ChatGPT interface. Next to the
textbox where you would typically insert text to start chatting, you will see a
little paper clip icon. When you click that, you will have several options:
Connect to Google Drive, Connect to Microsoft OneDrive, or Upload from a
computer. 

Also: The best AI chatbots of 2024: ChatGPT, Copilot and worthy alternatives

Select the best option for where your document lives. Since I typically upload a
document I just downloaded, I always opt for upload from my computer. Then, you
can click on the PDF you want assistance with. For this example, I am using a
PDF of one of my ZDNET articles.  




Screenshot by Sabrina Ortiz/ZDNET

NEWSLETTERS

ZDNET Tech Today
ZDNET's Tech Today newsletter is a daily briefing of the newest, most talked
about stories, five days a week.
Subscribe
See all


3. ADD YOUR QUESTION

Once you upload the PDF, you can accompany it with a text query that indicates
what you'd like ChatGPT to do. You can make these prompts as adventurous or
simple as you'd like. I kept it simple and asked for a summary: "Can you
summarize what this article is about?" 

Also: How ChatGPT (and other AI chatbots) can help you write an essay

As you can see in the photo below, I immediately got a comprehensive
four-sentence summary, and since I wrote the article, I can verify that it was
accurate. 

You can also elicit the chatbot's help for more complex tasks. For example, you
could ask the chatbot to "Take out the action items found in this PDF, place
them in bullet points, and format them into an email addressed to my boss." 

Also: ChatGPT vs. Microsoft Copilot vs. Gemini: Which is the best AI chatbot?

Overall, using ChatGPT to help parse through dense PDFs can help you save time
and sift through long-winded paragraphs. Of course, always make sure to check
ChatGPT's work for hallucinations, just in case. If you want to explore more
document-summarizing tools, stay tuned for similar capabilities coming to Apple
OS later this year.





Screenshot by Sabrina Ortiz/ZDNET


FAQS


CAN CHATGPT SUMMARIZE PDFS?

Yes, ChatGPT can summarize PDFs for all users with an OpenAI account. Once
signed in, users need to click on the paperclip icon next to the text box,
select the PDF they would like analyzed, and accompany it with a text prompt
explaining what they'd like ChatGPT to do. 


CAN CHATGPT SUMMARIZE CONTENT OTHER THAN PDFS?

Yes, ChatGPT can summarize pretty much any content, including PDFs, images,
handwritten notes, websites, copied and pasted text, and more. The steps are
similar. You need to sign in or create an OpenAI account, import the content you
want into ChatGPT, and accompany it with the text you need. 




ARE CHATGPT'S SUMMARIZING FEATURES FREE?

Yes, ChatGPT's summarizing features are free. The only caveat is that you need
to have an OpenAI account, which is free to create. Creating an account is easy
because you can use an existing Google or Microsoft account or just make a new
username and password. 

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE


Photoshop vs. Midjourney vs. DALL-E 3: Only one AI image generator passed my 5
tests

AI-powered 'narrative attacks' a growing threat: 3 defense strategies for
business leaders

Copilot Pro vs. ChatGPT Plus: Which AI chatbot is worth your $20 a month?

How my 4 favorite AI tools help me get more done at work
 * 
   Photoshop vs. Midjourney vs. DALL-E 3: Only one AI image generator passed my
   5 tests
 * 
   AI-powered 'narrative attacks' a growing threat: 3 defense strategies for
   business leaders
 * 
   Copilot Pro vs. ChatGPT Plus: Which AI chatbot is worth your $20 a month?
 * 
   How my 4 favorite AI tools help me get more done at work





Editorial standards
Show Comments
Log In to Comment Community Guidelines




Click to unmute


Are you prepared for the future of AI, automation, and jobs?
Are you prepared for the future of AI, automation, and jobs?

Video Player is loading.

Play Video
PauseSkip BackwardSkip ForwardNext playlist item
Unmute

Current Time 0:04
/
Duration 0:51
Loaded: 81.43%


0:04

Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind liveLIVE
Remaining Time -0:47
 
1x
Playback Rate

Chapters
 * Chapters

Descriptions
 * descriptions off, selected

Captions
 * captions settings, opens captions settings dialog
 * captions off, selected
 * en-US

Share
Audio Track
 * en (Main), selected

Fullscreen

This is a modal window.



Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.

TextColorWhiteBlackRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyanOpacityOpaqueSemi-TransparentText
BackgroundColorBlackWhiteRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyanOpacityOpaqueSemi-TransparentTransparentCaption
Area
BackgroundColorBlackWhiteRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyanOpacityTransparentSemi-TransparentOpaque
Font Size50%75%100%125%150%175%200%300%400%Text Edge
StyleNoneRaisedDepressedUniformDrop shadowFont FamilyProportional
Sans-SerifMonospace Sans-SerifProportional SerifMonospace SerifCasualScriptSmall
Caps
ResetDone
Close Modal Dialog

End of dialog window.

Close Modal Dialog

This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or
activating the close button.



This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or
activating the close button.

Share:




Facebook Twitter
Direct LinkEmbed Code
Close Modal Dialog


RELATED




HOW TO USE CHATGPT TO WRITE YOUR RESUME




HOW TO USE CHATGPT: EVERYTHING TO KNOW ABOUT USING GPT-4O AND GPT-4O MINI




HOW CAN SENIORS LEARN ABOUT AI'S BENEFITS AND THREATS? TAKE A FREE CLASS -
HERE'S HOW













ZDNET
we equip you to harness the power of disruptive innovation, at work and at home.
 * Topics
 * Galleries
 * Videos
 * Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information

 * about ZDNET
 * Meet The Team
 * Sitemap
 * Reprint Policy

 * Join
   |
   Log In
 * Newsletters
 * Site Assistance
 * Licensing

 * 
 * 
 * 
 * 
 * 
 * 

© 2024 ZDNET, A Red Ventures company. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | |
Manage Preferences
| Advertise | Terms of Use


WE CARE ABOUT YOUR PRIVACY

We and our 843 partners will store and access information on your device with
your consent. Browsing data is collected through the use of cookies to process
personal data. You can give or withdraw your consent by clicking on the `Show
Purposes` button. You can manage your choices and exercise your right to object
on the basis of legitimate interest at any time by clicking on the cog icon at
the bottom left corner of every page.Learn more.


WE AND OUR PARTNERS PROCESS DATA TO PROVIDE:

Use precise geolocation data. Actively scan device characteristics for
identification. Store and/or access information on a device. Personalised
advertising and content, advertising and content measurement, audience research
and services development. List of Partners (vendors)

I Accept Reject All Show Purposes