The TikTok microlearning trend has gone mainstream, with users leveraging artificial intelligence to design personal curricula that turn idle scroll time into structured self-education.
Elizabeth Jean and other millennials have racked up views by sharing three-to-five-topic monthly syllabi built through AI prompts. The method caught the eye of freelance writer Daniel J. Whitman, who tested the process and documented the results for News Of Losangeles. Her verdict: the practice is “intentional and fun, and it might be the most useful AI trend I’ve seen so far.”
How to Build Your First AI Curriculum
Step 1: Pick Your Topics
Start by listing fascinations that keep you up at night or subjects you never had time to explore. Daniel J. Whitman asked ChatGPT for ideas tied to fall, then refined the prompt when the AI suggested overly seasonal tasks like “tree and leaf observation.” She shifted focus to three personal priorities:
- Reading ancient spiritual texts
- Learning about low-inflammation eating
- Exploring birth work
Step 2: Create Monthly Modules
Feed the topics into ChatGPT and request a learning schedule. Daniel J. Whitman prompted: “Create a learning curriculum for each topic, with an assignment or activity at the end of each month.” The AI returned weekly readings, reflection questions, and practical tasks-some off-target, such as asking her to cold-call a clinic mid-course. She re-prompted with “think more like a teacher” to tighten the plan.
Step 3: Source Resources
Use agent mode (paid plan) to compile beginner-friendly books, podcasts, journal articles, and videos. Daniel J. Whitman recommends reviewing every suggestion; ChatGPT once proposed an action she found unrealistic and swapped it for a reflective exercise on whether to pursue a doula certification.
What an AI Curriculum Looks Like
Below is a condensed version of the curriculum ChatGPT generated for Daniel J. Whitman‘s three chosen topics. Each month ends with an assignment designed to cement new knowledge.
Ancient Spiritual Texts
Week 1 – Read selections from the Upanishads; journal one insight
Week 2 – Compare Hindu and Buddhist concepts of self; draft a comparison chart
Week 3 – Study Stoic texts by Marcus Aurelius; list three daily practices
Month Assignment – Lead a short discussion group on one text and gather feedback
Low-Inflammation Eating
Week 1 – Identify inflammatory vs. anti-inflammatory foods; photograph your pantry
Week 2 – Cook three recipes rich in omega-3s; track energy levels in a diary
Week 3 – Read research on turmeric and ginger; create a spice blend
Month Assignment – Design a seven-day meal plan and share it with a friend
Birth Work Exploration
Week 1 – Watch a documentary on modern midwifery; note surprising facts
Week 2 – Read about the history of birth support roles; create a timeline
Week 3 – Interview a local doula or nurse-midwife; write a Q&A summary
Month Assignment – Decide whether to enroll in a certified doula course
Practical Tips for Success
- Keep weekly tasks short and realistic; aim for 30 minutes a day
- Re-prompt ChatGPT whenever suggestions drift off-topic
- Replace any assignment that feels unsafe or invasive with a reflective alternative
- Build in fun: swap readings for podcasts on busy days or watch related documentaries
- Treat the curriculum as flexible-skip or repeat modules as life allows
Why Use AI for Learning Plans
Traditional self-help guides tend toward one-size-fits-all schedules. ChatGPT personalizes content by scanning previous prompts, stated goals, and even preferred difficulty level. Daniel J. Whitman found the AI improved dramatically after asking it to act like a teacher, producing more specific subtopics and better-aligned assignments.
The tool also saves time. Curating resources, drafting schedules, and devising tasks that culminate in a final project can take hours. ChatGPT condensed the work into minutes, letting her jump straight into learning.
Common Pitfalls-and How to Avoid Them
| Pitfall | Fix |
|---|---|
| AI suggests unsafe tasks (e.g., contacting strangers) | Replace with reflective assignments or solo activities |
| Weekly workload feels heavy | Ask ChatGPT to cap daily tasks at 30 minutes |
| Topics feel too abstract | Request real-world applications or experiments |
| Losing motivation | Add gamified checkpoints and reward yourself after each module |
The Cost of AI-Guided Learning
ChatGPT Free Tier – enough to create curricula and get resource lists
ChatGPT Plus – $20/month; unlocks agent mode for deeper resource searches
Total time investment – about one hour to build a three-topic plan covering one month
Key Takeaways
- AI-generated curricula turn scattered interests into structured learning paths
- Effective prompts include topic list, time frame, and desired end goal
- Review every AI suggestion for relevance and safety before committing
- Monthly capstones help reinforce knowledge through practical application
- The trend works because it marries personalization with accountability, making self-education feel less like homework and more like a chosen adventure
Disclosure
Ziff Davis, the parent company of News Of Losangeles, filed suit against OpenAI in April, alleging copyright infringement related to AI training data.
