Tell us what's wrong
Practical AI help · Merced, California

Your computer can just do it now.
Most people haven't been told.

We show you what AI can do for your actual life — then help you set it up and teach you to use it. The most powerful option is an assistant on your own computer. You can also start simpler.

Tell us what's giving you trouble See the two ways in
2Paths in
5Safety rules
0Jargon required
MARGARET'S DESKTOP — ASSISTANT ON YOUR MACHINE

One powerful option: an assistant on your own computer. It uses your files, asks before it changes anything, and stays under your control.

Start here · no signup required

What's giving you trouble?

Ask a question about AiStartEd, or describe your situation and let the consultant help decide what fits. It knows our services and prices, asks useful follow-ups one at a time, and sends nothing to Jay without your permission.

AiStartEd Consultant

Consultant

Hi — you can ask me anything about AiStartEd, or tell me what you're dealing with and I'll help you decide what fits best. What would you like help with?

AiStartEd questions and consultations only. This consultant cannot browse the web or act as a general personal assistant. Do not share passwords, payment details, or private documents.

Want Jay to follow up?

During a consultation, the AI will ask for these details near the end and fill them in here. You can correct anything before sending. Phone and email are individually optional, but Jay needs at least one way to reply.

The consultant will summarize everything and ask before sending.

Real problems

I didn't know AI could help with that.

You don't need a technical use case. You just need a frustration. Here are the kinds of everyday problems modern AI can help people and small businesses solve.

Finding family photos
Helping kids with homework
Learning new software
Organizing medical paperwork
Building a simple website
Making documents easier to understand
Automating repetitive business tasks
Setting up AI safely on a computer
Turning an idea into an app
Creating business content

Two ways in

Learn the process, or let us build it for you.

Same starting point either way: a real problem you want solved. Who's at the wheel afterward is up to you — and you can switch later.

Path one

Learn the process

You do it. We're beside you.

We set up the tools that fit your situation (often an assistant on your machine), put the safety rails in place, and walk you through your first real project live — until it's done and working.

  • The right setup for you — safely configured
  • Your first project built with you, live
  • Plain-language guide written for whatever we set up
  • Follow-up session after you've tried it alone
See if this fits you

Path two

We build it for you

You describe it. We deliver it.

Tell us the outcome. We build the site, app, organization, cleanup, or custom workflow — and hand it back finished with a walkthrough so you understand what you own.

  • You describe the outcome, not the steps
  • We build, test, and hand it over working
  • Walkthrough so nothing is a black box
  • Move to Path one later if you want the skill
Tell us what you need

The AiStartEd Safe Setup

An assistant with real access deserves real rules.

This is our trust differentiator. When we put an assistant on someone's machine—giving technology access to real life—we use the standard we'd want on our own parents' computers.

Every full personal setup follows it.

01
Everything is backed up first Important data is backed up first. Before meaningful changes, we identify and verify the files that need protection.
02
It asks before it changes anything Access is limited to what you approve. Moving, deleting, installing, sending, or making significant changes requires permission.
03
House rules live on your machine A plain-English rules file the assistant reads every time — what it may never touch, what it must always ask about.
04
You get a stop word We configure and teach a clear stop/pause procedure on day one, before anything else.
05
You know when to call a human We tell you which situations the assistant should not handle alone — and you can call us when one shows up.

Transparent Pricing

Simple starting prices. Built around your actual problem.

Every situation is different, so these are starting prices. Before work begins, you’ll know what we recommend, what it includes, and what it will cost.

Third-party subscriptions, software, hosting, hardware, or usage fees are paid directly by the client. No hidden markups.

Personal & Family

Quick Start

$120+

One problem. One clear next step.

For someone who needs help figuring out what’s possible or solving one focused issue.

Includes up to about an hour of guidance, review of the problem, recommendation, and help taking the first useful step.

Best for: “I don’t know what I need. I just need help.”

Start here →

AI Start Setup

$275+

Turn AI into something you can actually use.

We help choose and set up the right tools, complete one real task together, and teach you how to continue.

Includes setup, teaching, one real-world project, plain-language instructions, and follow-up.

Set up my AI Start →

Personal AI Setup ★

$450+

Your technology, built around your life.

For deeper setups involving your computer, files, projects, routines, or a capable AI assistant.

Includes AiStartEd Safe Setup, backup/permission review where applicable, configuration, one meaningful project, hands-on training, personal guide, and follow-up session.

Build my setup →

Family AI Setup

$650+

Help for more than one problem—or person.

For parents, caregivers, households, shared systems, multiple devices, organization, learning, and family workflows.

Includes household discovery, multiple reasonable use cases, up to two primary devices/setups, Safe Setup where applicable, family instructions, and two follow-ups.

Help my family →

Not sure which one fits? Don’t guess. Tell us what’s giving you trouble and we’ll recommend the smallest option that makes sense.

Business

Business Discovery

$500+

Find what’s actually worth fixing.

We examine where time is being lost, what employees repeatedly do, what customers wait on, and where AI could realistically improve the operation.

Includes workflow review, bottleneck analysis, opportunity assessment, recommended first project, risk/access considerations, and roadmap. Discovery may be credited toward a qualifying larger project.

Book Business Discovery →

Business Starter ★

$1,750+

Solve one meaningful business problem.

Take one real workflow and make it work better.

May include AI configuration, one primary workflow or automation, documentation, employee training, testing, Safe Setup, and initial support.

Start my first system →

Custom Business System

$3,500+

Built around how your business works.

For custom internal tools, AI-assisted applications, connected workflows, customer systems, data organization, custom interfaces, or advanced automation.

Every system is scoped before work begins.

Discuss my system →

Automation & Integration

$5,000+

Connect multiple parts of the operation.

For larger projects spanning several workflows, tools, teams, or business processes.

Includes project scoping, building, testing, permissions, documentation, staff training, and handoff.

Talk through my business →

Ongoing Care

Optional monthly support for when you want us to stay involved.

Personal Care

$49+/month

Optional help for clients who want ongoing troubleshooting, periodic check-ins, and priority scheduling.

Business Care

$500+/month

Ongoing workflow adjustments, troubleshooting, minor improvements, reviews, and priority support.

No subscription is required to keep what AiStartEd teaches or builds for you.

AiStartEd Fit Guarantee

If we can’t reasonably help, you shouldn’t pay us for pretending we can.

If we determine that your problem is outside what AiStartEd can reasonably solve, support, teach, or deliver within the agreed scope, we’ll tell you. If you've already paid and we determine during the initial work that AiStartEd cannot responsibly provide the agreed service, the applicable AiStartEd service fee will be refunded according to our Fit Guarantee.

Third-party purchases and fees are governed by those providers and aren’t refundable by AiStartEd.

Our Story

Why AiStartEd exists.

I realized how incredibly powerful AI was when I taught myself to use it. It changed how I worked and solved problems. But I quickly saw that everyday people were being left out.

The tech industry talks in jargon—"prompt engineering," "LLMs," "leverage"—but too much of the conversation was focused on the technology instead of translating it into everyday life.

"She didn't need to learn prompt engineering. She just needed someone to set it up."

The idea for AiStartEd crystallized while waiting in line at a warehouse store. I spoke with a woman who was exhausted, managing her life and business, completely overwhelmed by tasks a computer could do for her in seconds. She didn't have the time to become a tech expert. She just needed the outcome.

That's what we do. We set up the tools, put safety rails in place, and teach you how to drive.

Published work

Practical AI guidance, in print.

Jay Montgomery has written two plain-language guides that reflect the same approach behind AiStartEd: make AI useful, understandable, and grounded in real life.

AI Fundamentals: The Family Guide to Using AI Tools and AI in the Workplace: Boosting Productivity with AI Tools by J. Montgomery
In Print · By J. Montgomery

Two audiences. One practical approach.

One guide helps families use AI thoughtfully and safely. The other helps people apply AI to everyday work and productivity.

AI Fundamentals: The Family Guide to Using AI Tools Family guide · View on Amazon → AI in the Workplace: Boosting Productivity with AI Tools Business guide · View on Amazon →

The family guide currently carries a 5.0-star reader rating on Amazon. Category rankings change frequently.

Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to understand AI first?
Not at all. That's exactly why we exist. We translate the technology into plain English and only show you the parts that solve your specific problem. No jargon required.
Do I need a powerful computer?
Usually, no. Many AI tools run perfectly in a standard web browser on an everyday laptop or iPad. If your specific need requires running AI locally on your machine, we will assess your hardware during the triage step and give you honest options before you pay for anything.
Do you work with seniors?
AiStartEd is designed to work well with seniors, parents, caregivers, and people who don’t consider themselves technical. Our approach is patient, step-by-step, and focused on practical outcomes rather than technical theories.
Will AI see all my files?
We configure access as narrowly as the tools allow and explain what the assistant can access before you approve the setup. You are always in control of your data.
Can I stop the assistant?
Yes. We configure and teach you a clear stop/pause procedure appropriate to the tools in your setup.
Can you just build something for me?
Absolutely. That is "Path Two." You describe the outcome you want (like a website, an automated workflow, or a file cleanup), and we build it, test it, and hand it over to you fully working, along with a simple walkthrough.
Do you work remotely or come to my home/business?
Both. We provide in-person services in Merced, California and the surrounding areas. Remote sessions are also available outside our local service area.
Do I have to pay monthly?
No. Our standard personal and business setups are one-time fees. We only charge monthly if a business specifically requests our "Ongoing Care" package for continuous optimization and support.

Still don’t know what you need?

Good. You shouldn’t have to diagnose your own technology problem before asking for help.

Tell us what’s giving you trouble. We’ll figure out whether you need a $120 conversation, a personal setup, or a custom business system—and recommend the smallest place to start.

Tell us what’s giving you trouble →