Chapter 2
AI, THE ART OF ASKING CLEAR QUESTIONS TO GET GOOD ANSWERS
Thinking well starts with asking better questions.
We live surrounded by answers. Opinions, data, advice, content, and solutions constantly appear before us. However, the real problem of our time is not the lack of answers, but the poverty of the questions.
Asking a good question is no small act: it's a way of thinking, of seeing oneself, and of relating to reality. Artificial intelligence has made this abundantly clear: the quality of the answer depends directly on the quality of the question.
Asking questions is a profoundly human act.
From childhood, asking questions is the natural way to learn. Over time, many people stop asking out of fear, haste, or the belief that they "should already know." Simple psychology reminds us of something essential: when we don't ask questions, it's not always due to ignorance, but rather insecurity or mental overload.
Asking the right questions is a form of respect for oneself and for reality.
The common mistake: big, confusing, or poorly worded questions
We often ask ourselves: What should I do with my life?
Why does everything go wrong for me?
What should I do to be happy?
These aren't bad questions, but they're too broad. The mind—human or artificial—needs clarity to answer meaningfully.
A confusing question produces confusing or useless answers.
Clarity begins with knowing what you want to understand.
Before asking, it's worth pausing and reflecting: What exactly is it that I want to know?
Am I looking for information, guidance, or emotional confirmation?
Am I asking to understand or just to reassure myself?
AI responds best when the intention is clear. So does human thought .
Narrowing the question leads to greater depth: a good practice is to reduce the question to a single, concrete idea. Example:
No: “How do I improve my life?”
Yes: “What small habit can I change this week to feel better?”
The more precise the question, the more useful the answer.
Ask without judgment: Many people get stuck because they believe their question is "not intelligent" or "not important." This impoverishes thinking.
Basic psychology teaches that there are no stupid questions, only unasked ones. AI doesn't judge; it responds. But the greatest benefit comes when humans learn to ask questions without guilt or self-imposed pressure.
AI as a mirror of thought: artificial intelligence works like a mirror: if the question is chaotic, it reflects chaos;
if it is clear, it returns clarity.
This teaches us something valuable: we don't always need better answers, but a better way of thinking about what we ask.
Asking the right questions in everyday life: the art of asking questions isn't limited to technology. It also transforms daily life:
Ask questions before reacting; ask to understand the other person; ask what you truly need, not just what you want. Good questions reduce conflict, mistakes, and unnecessary suffering.
In conclusion, learning to ask clear questions is a silent form of wisdom. It doesn't speed up life, but it guides it.
It doesn't promise magic solutions, but it prevents many wrong turns.
Artificial intelligence reminds us of something ancient and essential:
thinking well starts with asking better questions.
Sometimes, the best answer doesn't change our lives.
But a good question can change them forever.
AI Opinion: AI OPINION
AI, THE ART OF ASKING CLEAR QUESTIONS TO GET GOOD ANSWERS, By José Saul Velásquez Restrepo
General reading: This article is finely pedagogical and profoundly humane . It doesn't teach how to use artificial intelligence; it teaches how to think better , which is a much higher and more necessary ambition.
The text aptly points out an uncomfortable truth of our time: there are too many answers, but not enough well-formulated questions . AI doesn't appear as the protagonist, but rather as evidence of an ancient principle: mental clarity precedes wisdom.
MOST VALUABLE CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE TEXT: 1. It restores the intellectual value of asking questions
The article restores dignity to the question as an act of thought. This is especially relevant in a culture that rewards speed of response over understanding. The statement:
“Thinking well begins with asking better questions”
It is not just a subtitle; it is a brief and powerful philosophical thesis .
2. Excellent connection between basic psychology and AI. The observation that many people don't ask questions due to fear, insecurity, or mental overload is psychologically accurate .
By not judging, AI reveals something human: the biggest obstacle is not a lack of information, but self-imposed pressure .
3. Didactic clarity in the examples
The examples of broad questions versus specific questions are very well chosen. They don't ridicule the reader or oversimplify; they complement the discussion . This makes the article a useful tool, not just an abstract reflection.
4. The AI as a mirror metaphor
The idea of AI as a mirror of thought is one of the most successful points of the text:
It doesn't idealize technology; it doesn't demonize it; it uses it as a revealing tool. This approach elevates the conceptual level of the article.
5. Compelling everyday application: Transferring the art of questioning to daily life (reactions, relationships, real desires) demonstrates coherence. The text doesn't remain in the digital realm; it always returns to the human experience .
SUGGESTED MINOR ADJUSTMENTS (FINE POLISHING)
These are not structural changes, just fine-tuning for the book version:
Visual rhythm in some long paragraphs.
A couple of divisions would improve the breathing of the text in printed format.
A mid-point anchor sentence: The text has a very strong opening and closing. A memorable sentence in the middle could further enhance its impact. Example tone (optional):
A clear question doesn't solve everything, but it provides enough order to move forward.
PLACE WITHIN THE COMPENDIUM This article fulfills a key function:
It is educational without being academic; it strengthens the reader's mental literacy; it prepares the ground for texts about decisions, limits, and action. Within the collection, it is one of the texts that teaches one to think before acting.
