Getting to the Best Choice
Using AI to Ask Questions and Recommend the Best Option
When you're faced with multiple options and can't decide, an AI assistant like ChatGPT can help you choose by asking the right questions. This technique is useful when you have three or more choices and need help considering the pros and cons. By prompting the assistant to ask specific, personalized questions, you ensure that the AI tailors its recommendations to your unique needs.
You might find this approach helpful when deciding on big purchases, like a new laptop, or small choices, like where to go for lunch. It's especially great when you know a little about your options but need help weighing the factors.
In this guide, we'll explore how you can get AI to ask you the right questions and recommend the best option.
"Which Laptop Should I Buy?"
Meet Sarah, a freelance graphic designer looking to upgrade her laptop. She's narrowed her choices down to three models: the Xentron Pro 15, Zephyr 360, and BlazeBook Ultra. Unsure which one is best, Sarah turns to ChatGPT, asking it to search for each laptop's specifications before asking questions to help her decide.
Conversation
Prompt
"I'm trying to choose between the Xentron Pro 15, Zephyr 360, and BlazeBook Ultra laptops.
Can you search the Web to find their specs and then ask me questions to figure out which one is best for me?"
Response
"Sure! I’ve looked up the specifications for all three models:
Xentron Pro 15: Intel i7 processor, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD, 4K display, and moderate battery life (up to 6 hours).
Zephyr 360: Intel i5 processor, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD, Full HD display, and long battery life (up to 12 hours).
BlazeBook Ultra: AMD Ryzen 9 processor, 32GB RAM, 512GB SSD, 2K display, and moderate battery life (up to 7 hours).I can ask you some questions to help figure out which one would suit your needs best.
How do you primarily plan to use the laptop?"
Explanation:
The assistant provides a brief overview of the specs before proceeding with tailored questions to guide the decision.
Prompt
"I'll mostly use it for graphic design work, so I need it to handle demanding software like Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator."
Response
"Graphic design work requires a strong processor and good memory.
Do you also need the laptop to be portable, or will you mostly use it in one place?"
Explanation:
The assistant highlights the processing needs for Sarah's design work and now focuses on understanding how important portability is.
Prompt
"I travel a lot, so I'd prefer something lightweight with long battery life."
Response
"Got it! Now, since display quality is crucial for design, do you need a high-resolution screen with accurate colors, or are other features more important?"
Explanation:
The assistant turns to display quality, a key factor for graphic designers, and prompts Sarah to confirm her preferences.
Prompt
"Yes, I need a high-resolution screen with accurate colors."
Response
"Noted! How much internal storage do you think you'll need?
Do you frequently work with large files, or would you be okay using external storage?"
Explanation:
The assistant asks about storage needs, recognizing that graphic design projects can require substantial space for files.
Prompt
"I need at least 1TB of storage, preferably SSD for speed."
Response
"Good to know! Finally, do you have a specific budget range that you're trying to stay within?"
Explanation:
Budget is often a key factor in making the final decision, so the assistant asks for Sarah's financial constraints.
Prompt
"I'm hoping to stay around $2,000, but I can stretch that if the laptop is really worth it."
Response
"Based on your responses, I recommend the Zephyr 360.
While the Xentron Pro 15 has a better processor, the Zephyr 360 offers a great balance between performance and portability, with long battery life and 1TB SSD storage. For your graphic design work, the Full HD display should be sufficient, and it fits within your budget."
Explanation:
The assistant weighs all of Sarah's preferences and constraints, ultimately recommending the Zephyr 360 for its portability, battery life, and balanced specs.
Conclusion
In this guide, we explored how an AI assistant can ask tailored questions and recommend the best option when you're choosing between multiple products. By guiding Sarah through the decision-making process and searching for the specifications of each laptop, the assistant helped her make an informed choice.
In the end, Sarah confidently chose the Zephyr 360 for her graphic design work and travels.
Next time you're stuck between options, let AI do some of the research and questioning—just like Sarah did!