Are You Using AI the Right Way? Discover Your AI User Type

DAIT Team07 mins

Let me share a situation I encountered recently. I wanted to know the model with the largest context window. I faintly remember that I read Gemini has a 2MM context window. But I wanted to be sure.

Here is my conversation with AI:

Iteration 1:

Iteration 2:

Iteration 3:

Iteration 4: Now I got the information I was looking for. Still checked on Google website and found to be correct. ‘Why did not you check the Google website in the first place?’ you might be thinking, right? That would have given me a context window of Gemini, but I won’t know if models apart from Gemini exist with more context windows.

Anyways, now I wanted to know why AI did not give the answer in the first place. I find the expected response.

This experience highlighted the pitfalls of using AI blindly: without the right approach, AI might mislead you unintentionally. Let’s explore the types of AI users to understand where you stand and how you can become a smarter, more effective AI user.

Types of AI Users

1. Casual Users

These users treat AI like a search engine. They write simple prompts, get results, and copy-paste the output without questioning it. For instance, they might ask for “the best pizza recipe” and follow the AI’s advice word-for-word, assuming it’s accurate.

2. Skeptical Users

Skeptical users interact with AI cautiously. They verify information, cross-check facts, and refine their prompts to get better answers. For instance, if they receive an answer about a topic, they might double-check it using another source or iterate their query to clarify ambiguities.

3. Power Users

These users maximize AI’s potential by understanding its capabilities and limitations. They craft detailed prompts, use follow-up questions strategically, and often combine AI tools to achieve complex tasks. For example, they might ask AI to draft a business plan and then refine it with additional prompts, ensuring the final output meets professional standards.

4. Reflective Users

Reflective users not only use AI effectively but also assess the ethical implications and biases in the answers. They’re aware of AI’s potential to mislead and strive to use it responsibly. For instance, they might critically evaluate the tone and inclusivity of AI-generated content before sharing it.

Where Do You Lie?

Take a moment to think about your interactions with AI. Do you:

  • Simply take the first response and run with it? You might be a Casual User.
  • Ask follow-up questions and cross-verify information? You could be a Skeptical User.
  • Use AI creatively and strategically for multifaceted tasks? Perhaps you’re a Power User.
  • Actively consider AI’s biases and societal impact? Then you’re a Reflective User.

Understanding your category is the first step toward using AI more effectively.

Whatever category you fall in, we all need to do everything possible to avoid being misled by AI.

Below are 5 Steps to Avoid Being Misled by AI

1. Start with Specific Prompts Avoid vague or overly broad queries. A specific prompt like, “What are the features of Gemini’s context window compared to ChatGPT-4.0?” is more likely to yield accurate results.

2. Verify the Information Don’t trust everything AI says at face value. Cross-check facts from reliable sources, especially for critical decisions or technical details.

3. Iterate and Refine Your Questions Use follow-up questions to clarify or delve deeper into responses. This iterative approach helps uncover more nuanced or complete answers.

4. Understand AI’s Limitations AI generates responses based on patterns in its training data. It can’t always provide up-to-date or error-free information, so keep its constraints in mind.

5. Review the Output Critically Check for biases, inaccuracies, and relevance in the answers. If something seems off, ask again or consult additional resources.

As I reflect on my own experience, I realize how easy it is to let AI mislead us if we don’t approach it thoughtfully. But the beauty of AI lies in its ability to empower us when used wisely. By understanding your AI user type and applying the steps outlined above, you can make every interaction purposeful and productive. For me, adopting a more skeptical and reflective approach has transformed how I use AI—it’s no longer just a tool but a partner in problem-solving. Where do you stand? Let’s embrace AI smartly and get the best out of it TOGETHER!

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