Think with AI: a thinking partner

In Stage 1 you asked AI for an answer. In Stage 2 you ask it to help you think. That means inviting it to push back.

• Challenge assumptions. Ask what you're taking for granted.
• Find blind spots. Ask what risks you haven't mentioned.
• Ask follow-ups. "Why?", "What's the strongest argument against this?", "What would change your answer?"

AI tends to agree with you unless you ask it not to. Say so directly. Its pushback isn't always right either: treat it as a list of questions to think about, not a verdict.

Describe an idea you're actually considering. The challenge prompt below builds itself as you type.

Fill in at least one field (or load an example) to see your challenge prompt.

Paste it into your own AI tool. This app doesn't run AI or show AI replies.

Saved automatically (in this browser, and to your account if you are signed in). You can edit it any time.

Paste this at the start of any chat to set up the same habits for the whole conversation.

For the rest of this conversation, act as my thinking partner.
- If my request is vague, ask me clarifying questions before answering.
- Point out assumptions I'm making and offer at least one alternative view.
- Tell me when you're uncertain or might be wrong, and say what I should double-check.
- Don't flatter me. Keep answers short unless I ask for more detail.

• I read how to use AI as a thinking partner.
• I filled in the Blind Spot Challenge with my own idea.
• I ran the challenge prompt in ChatGPT or Claude myself.
• I wrote down what I found in the reflection.
• I wrote a revised version of my idea and compared it to the first.
• I tried the Thinking Partner Prompt on another question.