Asking for Options, Then Choosing Carefully
Unit ID: AIT-M02-U04 Estimated active time: 15-20 minutes
Options can help thinking
AI tools are useful for generating options.
For example, you can ask for:
- three email subject lines;
- five meeting agenda options;
- two ways to explain a topic;
- a short version and a detailed version;
- possible questions before a decision.
Options help you compare. They should not replace your judgement.
Ask for useful differences
Do not only ask:
Give me options.
Say what kind of options you need.
Examples:
- one friendly, one formal, one very short;
- one beginner version and one manager version;
- one low-effort plan and one stronger plan;
- options with pros, cons, and risks;
- options ranked by simplicity, not by excitement.
Define selection criteria
Before choosing, decide what matters.
Criteria may include:
- accuracy;
- clarity;
- tone;
- privacy;
- time available;
- audience fit;
- risk;
- evidence needed;
- effort.
Without criteria, the most polished option may look best even when it is not safest.
Example
Prompt:
Give me three versions of a follow-up message for a workshop participant: friendly, formal, and very short. Keep all versions under 120 words. Do not invent details. After the options, compare them using tone, clarity, and risk of sounding too strong.
This prompt asks for options and comparison criteria.
You still choose.
Be careful with rankings
AI tools may rank options confidently. Treat rankings as suggestions, not proof.
Ask:
- What assumptions did you use?
- What could make this ranking wrong?
- Which option is safest if information is missing?
- Which option needs human review?
Quick practice
Choose one safe task.
Write a prompt that asks for three options and includes:
- what makes the options different;
- selection criteria;
- a request to list assumptions;
- a reminder not to invent facts.