Ever heard the saying, “Ask a stupid question, get a stupid answer”? It’s funny because it’s true, whether you’re talking to a person or an AI. The quality of the answer you get is directly tied to the quality of the question you ask. When you’re interacting with AI, you’re not just asking a question; you’re building a whole world of context for that question. That’s where the magic happens.
This isn’t just about getting better responses, but about sharpening our own thinking. Every time you craft a better question, you’re not only unlocking AI’s potential, but also practicing critical thinking and expanding your creativity.
I had to learn to ask better questions, so I did a refresher on ‘Socratic questioning’. (Ask AI to explain.) Socratic questions are designed to dig deeper, challenge assumptions, and uncover underlying truths. They’re about sparking meaningful exploration. For example, instead of asking, “What’s the best way to use AI?” you might ask, “What assumptions am I making about how AI can solve this problem, and how can I test them?” This shift in framing opens up a world of possibilities.
The next time you’re working with AI, take a moment to craft your question with care. Think about the context, challenge your assumptions, and aim for clarity. The better your questions, the more you’ll ‘unlock AI’s potential,’ and your own.
What’s one question you’ve been struggling to ask, and how could you reframe it to get better answers?