# I Am GPTed: The Art of Asking Better Questions

**[INTRO MUSIC: Upbeat, slightly quirky tech soundtrack fades in]**

**MAL:** Hey everyone, it's Mal—your friendly neighborhood AI enthusiast who still hasn't figured out how to use Siri correctly. Welcome back to "I Am GPTed," where we prove that you don't need to be a computer scientist to get computers to do awesome stuff for you.

Today, we're tackling something that'll genuinely change how you interact with AI. We're talking about **role-playing prompts**—and no, this isn't about pretending you're a wizard. Though honestly, if that gets you better results, go for it.

**[TRANSITION SOUND: Quick notification ding]**

## The Game-Changer: Role-Playing Prompts

Here's the thing about AI: it's like talking to the world's most knowledgeable person who's also incredibly literal. If you ask vaguely, you get vague answers. If you ask like you're talking to a specific expert? Magic happens.

**Before I knew this trick:**
"Explain machine learning."

**After I got smart about it:**
"You're a seasoned data scientist explaining machine learning to someone at a dinner party. Keep it conversational, skip the math, and use one really good analogy."

Suddenly, my AI doesn't sound like a Wikipedia article. It sounds like an actual human who knows their stuff.

## Where This Actually Matters in Real Life

Let's say you're writing performance reviews for your team—something most managers avoid like root canals. Instead of staring at a blank screen, try this: "You're an empathetic HR professional who's seen thousands of reviews. Help me write feedback that's honest, specific, and actually motivates improvement."

Boom. Different output entirely.

**[TRANSITION: Brief pause]**

## The Mistake I Made (And You Probably Will Too)

Here's me being vulnerable: I used to treat AI like a magic 8-ball. Ask a question, get an answer, done. Then I'd complain when it was useless.

The beginner mistake? **Assuming the first response is final.** It's not. AI outputs are like rough drafts. They need refinement, pushback, and iteration. You're not being "difficult" by asking follow-up questions—you're actually using the tool correctly.

Start viewing yourself as a collaborator, not a customer. Ask for specifics. Ask why. Ask again differently.

## Your Practice Exercise (Yes, Really Do This)

Spend ten minutes right now:

1. Pick something you actually need help with—not a test. A real task.
2. Write one prompt the "lazy way"
3. Write the same prompt with a specific role: "Act as [specific expert]. Keep the tone [specific style]. The output format should be [specific format]."
4. Compare the results

You'll see the difference immediately. Then you'll feel smarter. Then you'll wonder why nobody explains this stuff in plain English from the start.

## Making Sense of What You Get Back

Here's my golden rule: **AI content needs an editor.** Always. Check for accuracy, tone, and whether it actually solves your problem. Does it sound like you? Probably not yet. Does it have useful bones? Hopefully.

Copy-paste is for people who haven't thought about what they're doing.

**[OUTRO MUSIC BEGINS TO SWELL]**

**MAL:** That's what we've got for you this week on "I Am GPTed." Remember to subscribe so you don't miss future episodes where we figure out AI together—mistakes and all.

Thanks for listening, everyone.

**Do this:** Head over to **quiet please dot ai** to learn more and to see if there's something actually useful waiting for you there.

This has been a Quiet Please production.

Now go forth and prompt responsibly.

**[MUSIC FADES]**

For more check out Back to Episodes