AI can give you an answer quickly.
But getting an answer quickly doesn’t always mean getting the best answer.
Sometimes the most useful thing you can do is stop and think about what AI has said.
Is the answer based on a reasonable assumption?
Are there other ways of looking at the situation?
Is there information missing that could change the answer?
Thinking critically doesn’t mean arguing with everything AI says.
It means learning to question, consider and decide for yourself.
Don’t Assume AI Knows What You Mean
AI has to make sense of what you tell it.
Sometimes it gets the meaning right.
Sometimes it makes an assumption that you didn’t intend.
For example:
“What’s the best car for me?”
AI doesn’t automatically know your budget, how many people you need to transport, where you drive or what matters most to you.
A better question might be:
“I need a reliable car for two adults. I mostly drive in the city, have a limited budget and want low running costs. What should I consider?”
The more important the question, the more useful it is to give AI the information it needs rather than letting it guess.
Ask What Might Be Missing
An AI answer can sound complete while still leaving out something important.
Ask yourself:
“What information might be missing?”
You can also ask AI:
“What have I not considered?”
Or:
“What information could change this answer?”
These questions can help uncover things you might otherwise overlook.
Ask for More Than One Option
AI often gives you one answer because that’s what you asked for.
But there may be several reasonable ways to approach a problem.
Instead of:
“What’s the best way to do this?”
try:
“Give me three different approaches and explain the advantages and disadvantages of each.”
Seeing different options can help you think more clearly about what matters to you.
The purpose isn’t to choose the option AI recommends.
It’s to see the possibilities before you decide.
Look for the Assumptions
Every answer is based on something.
AI may make assumptions about your situation without clearly telling you what they are.
For example, if you ask:
“Should I take this job?”
AI might assume that salary is your most important consideration.
But perhaps flexibility, location, job security or time with your family matters more to you.
Try asking:
“What assumptions are you making in this answer?”
Then decide whether those assumptions actually fit your situation.
Consider Different Points of View
AI can help you look at a situation from different perspectives.
You could ask:
“What would someone who disagrees with me say?”
Or:
“Give me the strongest argument for the other side.”
This can be useful because we naturally tend to look for information that supports what we already believe.
You don’t have to agree with the alternative view.
The goal is to consider it before making up your mind.
Don’t Let AI Make the Decision for You
There is a difference between getting help with a decision and handing the decision over to AI.
You can ask AI to explain your options, point out risks or help you think of questions you haven’t considered.
But you know things about your life that AI doesn’t.
Your priorities, values, circumstances and experiences all matter.
Remember:
AI suggests. You decide.
The final decision should still be yours.
Let’s Make It Practical
Think of a decision you’re currently considering, or choose a simple decision you’d like to explore.
Ask AI:
“Give me three different ways to approach this situation. For each one, explain the advantages, disadvantages and assumptions you’re making.”
Then ask:
“What might I be missing?”
Read the response carefully.
Then ask yourself:
“Which information matters most to me?”
“Do these assumptions fit my situation?”
“What do I think?”
You’ve just practised using AI to support your thinking rather than replace it.
What You’ve Learned
Thinking critically with AI means staying involved in the thinking process.
Remember to:
- Give AI enough information rather than letting it guess.
- Ask what might be missing.
- Consider more than one option.
- Question the assumptions behind an answer.
- Look at different points of view.
- Use AI to support decisions, not make them for you.
You don’t need to question every word AI produces.
You simply need to develop the habit of pausing, thinking and deciding for yourself.
AI can help you see possibilities you might not have considered.
But your judgement still matters most.
There are now countless AI tools available, and they don’t all do the same thing. So how do you know which one is right for what you need?
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