By default, AI models are designed to be agreeable. To get true value, explicitly instruct the AI to act as a critic or 'devil's advocate.' Ask it to challenge your assumptions and list potential risks. This exposes blind spots and leads to stronger, more resilient strategies than you would develop with a simple 'yes-man' assistant.

Instead of asking AI for answers, command it to ask you questions. Use the "Context, Role, Interview, Task" (CRIT) framework to turn AI into a thought partner. The "Interview" step, where AI probes for deeper context, is the key to generating non-obvious, high-value strategies.

Instead of simply commanding an AI, a team first instructed it to ask clarifying questions about their company's mission and selection criteria for podcast guests. This "interview" step forced the AI to understand deep context before generating outputs, leading to a much more effective and customized database of ideas.

The most effective way to use AI in product discovery is not to delegate tasks to it like an "answer machine." Instead, treat it as a "thought partner." Use prompts that explicitly ask it to challenge your assumptions, turning it into a tool for critical thinking rather than a simple content generator.

Instead of walking into a pitch unprepared, Reid Hoffman advises founders to use large language models to pre-emptively critique their business idea. Prompting an AI to act as a skeptical VC helps founders anticipate tough questions and strengthen their narrative before meeting real investors.

Before engaging with actual customers, AI tools can simulate interviews and generate likely objections, such as "This won’t fit my workflow." This allows product managers to walk into real interviews better prepared, knowing exactly which risky assumptions to test first and how to handle pushback.

Instead of using AI as a compliant assistant, program it to be a challenging 'sparring partner.' Ask it to find holes in your logic or anticipate all the critical questions your CEO might ask. This transforms it from a content generator into a powerful strategic tool for preparation.

Leverage AI to gain external perspectives without meetings. Prompt it to act as a specific persona—like a skeptical CEO, an enthusiastic user, or a New York Times reviewer—to critique your work. This reveals blind spots and strengthens your idea before sharing it.

Instead of just giving AI a task, command it to interview you first. By having the AI ask clarifying questions about assumptions, context, and potential gaps, you can surface your own unknown unknowns and provide the necessary context for a high-quality output.