Mastering the Art of AI Inquiry: How to Ask Better Questions for Optimal Results

Whatever your fears of machines vs. humans may be, AI is here to stay, so learning how to leverage it will be critical to our careers and business success. The key to generative AI (ChatGPT, Copilot, etc.) is the ability to ask effective questions. The precision and quality of the questions we pose to AI directly influence the usefulness and relevance of the answers we receive. This article explores strategies to enhance your question-asking skills, aiming to leverage AI’s capabilities to their fullest potential.

Understand the AI’s Domain Knowledge
AI models, including language models like ChatGPT, are trained on vast datasets up to a certain point in time. Recognize the limitations inherent in this training. For instance, if you’re seeking information on recent events or highly specialized knowledge areas, understand that the AI’s responses might be based on the data available up to its last update. Tailoring your questions with this in mind helps set realistic expectations.

Tip: Before asking, briefly research the AI’s last training update to gauge the freshness and breadth of its knowledge base.

Be Specific and Contextual
General questions tend to yield general answers. Specificity is key to extracting more precise information or generating more detailed creative content. Provide clear context and specify the kind of information or output you desire. For example, instead of asking, “How do I fix a computer?” specify the issue, the computer model, and what troubleshooting steps you’ve already taken.

Tip: Use the “5 Ws and How” (Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How) as a checklist to enrich your question with relevant details.

Use Clear and Concise Language
While AI can process complex sentences, clarity and conciseness lead to better understanding and efficiency. Avoid ambiguity and overly complex phrasing. Direct and straightforward questions help the AI quickly grasp your query’s essence, reducing the risk of misinterpretation.

Tip: Pretend you’re asking a question to someone with no prior knowledge of the context. This encourages you to include necessary information in a clear manner.

Sequence Your Questions Logically
When exploring a topic deeply, start with broader questions before narrowing it down to specifics. This step-by-step approach not only helps you build a foundation of understanding but also guides the AI in providing progressively detailed and focused responses.

Tip: Think of your inquiry as a funnel, where you start wide at the top and narrow down as you proceed.

Leverage Follow-up Questions
AI’s ability to handle follow-up questions varies. When seeking further clarification, remind the AI of the context if it doesn’t maintain the conversation thread. Reiterate key details from previous exchanges as needed to keep the conversation on track.

Tip: Use phrases like “Based on your previous answer” or “Continuing from what you mentioned about X” to tie in earlier parts of the conversation.

Understand AI’s Creative Capabilities
When requesting creative content, such as stories, images, or code, provide clear guidelines and criteria for what you’re looking for. Specify the style, tone, format, and any other important parameters. This not only aids in generating content that aligns with your expectations but also helps explore AI’s creative boundaries.

Tip: Offer examples or analogies to guide the AI’s creative output, such as “Write a story in the style of a classic fairy tale” or “Generate an image reminiscent of Van Gogh’s painting style.”

Embrace Experimentation
The interaction with AI is inherently iterative. If the first response doesn’t meet your expectations, refine your question based on the feedback and try again. This process of trial and error is crucial for learning how to communicate effectively with AI.

Tip: Keep notes on which questions yield the best responses for future reference.

Asking better questions is an art that enhances our interaction with AI, leading to more accurate, relevant, and creative outcomes. By being specific, clear, and strategic in our inquiries, we can unlock the full potential of AI technologies. As we continue to navigate this partnership with AI, refining our questioning skills remains a dynamic and ongoing journey, pivotal for harnessing the vast capabilities of artificial intelligence.