Dear Mary: Can I use ChatGPT to write thank-you letters?

Q. Since my wife and I went our separate ways I have had lots of social invitations. My ex always dealt with the thank-you letters and I am useless at getting around to writing them. Now a friend has introduced me to an app called ChatGPT which writes letters and even poems for you if you tell it what you are thanking someone for. I tried it out and the result was astounding. The bot replies immediately and with a few tweaks – taking out words like ‘scrumptious’ and ‘pleasant’ – the job was effectively done for me. I have used it twice but am feeling worried I will be found out. Mary, is it safe to use this app?

– Name and address withheld

A. Yes, you can use it again, with two provisos. First, only do it for the next few weeks. While it still has novelty value, people will find it amusing that a robot composed your letter – of course you should openly declare that the chatbot wrote it for you. You should add that spookily it did reflect your genuine feelings. Once you have got a few AI letters under your belt you can use the templates – rather like an essay plan – to help in the future, but only with structure. The finished result must sound like the authentic you. Otherwise you will offend.

Q. I live in rather a grand area of London but the pavements are too narrow. When heading off to catch a bus I often see somebody I don’t recognise walking towards me at high speed. My immediate reaction has always been to cross to the other side of the road, but on reflection I think this is possibly rude. Please advise on pavement courtesy.