Ask For Questions, Not Answers

A lot of people use ChatGPT to get answers, but I use it to find better questions.

Over the last two years, I've learned something important while working with AI and using different tools every day: AI should work WITH you, not FOR you. This perspective changes everything. If we just rely on AI to give us ready-made solutions, we miss out on a deeper engagement with the challenges we face. But if we see AI as a collaborative tool, as a partner that helps us identify blind spots and generate new ideas, we open ourselves up to a richer, more creative way of solving problems.

Reconsidering AI: A Tool for Collaboration, Not Just Answers

If you think AI is a magical solution for everything or if you're skeptical because you only get generic answers, let me share some tips that have helped me grow professionally by making proper use of the AI tools that anyone can access. At their core, AIs are tools that help us process information faster, think critically, and develop creative solutions. But like any tool, it all depends on how you use it. The real power comes from knowing how to ask the right questions, how to interact with AI, and how to combine its processing power with your own insights and intuition.

Step outside the box! Asking questions like, "What else could I consider about this problem?" or "What perspectives am I missing?" changes the way AI works. Instead of just getting a basic answer, AI becomes a thought partner. Suddenly, AI isn't just spitting out answers—it's helping you reflect and go deeper. This approach encourages AI to help you explore the topic, revealing details and opportunities that you might not have thought about.

When you ask for better questions instead of just looking for answers, you become an active part of the process. The conversation becomes an exploration of possibilities instead of a simple Q&A. This shift—from just looking for fixed answers to creating a dialogue—makes all the difference. It keeps you engaged, curious, and always evolving in your understanding.

Asking the Right Questions: A Practical Approach

Here's a practical example: If I'm developing a strategy for a client, I don't just ask ChatGPT, "What is the best strategy for client X?" That's too vague and will lead to a superficial answer. Instead, I use other tools like Perplexity to ask, "What recent strategies in sector XYZ have had the most impact and why?" or "What consumer trends are shaping the market right now?" This way, I get insights that are much more useful and specific, which helps me build something aligned with the client's needs. AI, then, becomes a partner that helps me think strategically, giving me richer context than just a generic answer.

When you ask AI specific, detailed questions, you're guiding it to produce more nuanced and relevant answers. This changes the whole process. You're not just getting information—you’re synthesizing it, bringing together different perspectives, and creating a solution that's customized for your situation. The real beauty of AI comes through when you use it to tackle complex problems, bringing together diverse insights into a well-rounded strategy.

The Importance of Letting AI Ask You Questions

One big realization for me was that asking ChatGPT to ask me questions is just as important (or even more so) than asking it for answers. This was a game-changer. When I allow AI to challenge me, the questions it raises help build stronger reasoning and show me gaps I hadn’t seen before. Instead of a one-way relationship where I just demand answers, I use AI to help guide my critical thinking. Asking GPT to generate questions about a topic, especially when it's complex, leads to a much more thorough and well-rounded outcome. This kind of back-and-forth helps refine ideas, exposes flaws, and encourages deeper exploration.

Imagine using AI not just for support, but also to spark new ideas. For instance, if you're working on a new product, you could ask, "What concerns might customers have about this product?" AI might respond with questions like, "How does this product address pain points in the current market?" or "What aspects of this product could be seen negatively, and why?" These kinds of questions push you to think about potential issues you may have overlooked, giving you the chance to address them early.

This level of interaction turns AI into a true collaborator—one that helps sharpen your thoughts by testing them in real time. By moving beyond just getting answers, you bring in a dynamic partner that actively contributes to your creative process.

The Human Element: Where AI Stops and You Take Over

There are still decisions that only humans can make because they involve emotions, context, and that instinct you can't quite explain. Human experience and emotions play a big role in making decisions, and while AI can give us useful data, it can't replicate the depth of human empathy or the understanding of complex social cues. I use AI to help dig deeper into ideas, but it's up to me to shape them. AI provides the raw material, but human interpretation—full of experience, feelings, and the intention to make an impact—cannot be replaced. That's where the real value lies.

This partnership—where AI supports the human ability to create meaning—is incredibly powerful. It combines the best of both worlds: the speed and precision of machine learning with the empathy, insight, and judgment that only humans can provide. In this partnership, we take the final step—refining, interpreting, and deciding how to act—resulting in outcomes that are meaningful and relevant.

A Challenge for You: Make AI Your Collaborative Partner

So, the next time you use ChatGPT, I challenge you: don't just ask for answers, start a conversation. Ask questions that push it to go beyond the obvious. Even better, ask it to ask you questions about the problem you're trying to solve. This kind of dialogue will reveal angles you hadn’t considered, perspectives you weren’t aware of, and ultimately help you understand your challenge more deeply.

Another great strategy is to use AI as a brainstorming partner. Let’s say you're planning a marketing campaign. Instead of just asking, "What are good marketing ideas for this product?", turn it into a real brainstorming session. Start by prompting AI with, "What themes resonate most with our target audience based on current trends?" Then follow up with, "What are some unconventional approaches that similar brands have used successfully?" and "What challenges should I be prepared for if I choose this path?" Each response informs the next question, making the conversation richer and more insightful.

This is the key to making the most out of AI. The next right question could be the one that opens up an entirely new path. Treat AI as the spark that ignites your thought process, not the final answer. By doing this, each interaction becomes a chance to grow, innovate, and expand beyond your current way of thinking.