AI for Anyone #003: Use AI to Pressure-Test Your Thinking

Hey, quick thought before we get into it.

Most people use AI to move faster. Write the email. Summarize the article. Clean up the draft. That is useful.

But one of the best ways I have been using it lately is different. I use it to push back on my thinking before I make a decision.

Not to replace judgment. Just to sharpen it.

That is what this issue is about.

1. AI agents are starting to feel more real

The useful version of an AI agent is simple. It can handle a task across multiple steps instead of answering one prompt at a time.

That is where AI starts becoming genuinely helpful in day-to-day work.

2. AI is showing up inside the tools people already use

AI is being built into email, docs, spreadsheets, CRMs, and other everyday software.

That is good news. Most people do not want ten new AI apps. They want the tools they already use to get smarter.

3. A lot of AI news still does not matter to most people

Not every AI launch deserves your attention.

My filter is simple: does it save time, make money, reduce friction, or help me make better decisions? If not, I move on.

Most people use AI as a helper. Not enough people use it as a sparring partner.

If you are making a decision about pricing, hiring, a tough email, a sales offer, or a workflow change, do not just ask AI to support your plan. Ask it to challenge it.

This is one of the fastest ways to spot blind spots before they turn into mistakes.

AI is good at surfacing weak assumptions, missing risks, and obvious questions you may skip because you are too close to the decision.

It will not always be right. But it will often help you think more clearly before you commit.

How to do it:

The Prompt:

Play devil’s advocate on this. Don’t just agree with me. Tell me what could go wrong, what I may be underestimating, and what the strongest argument against this plan is. Be direct. Here’s what I’m considering:

[paste your plan, decision, email, pricing idea, etc.]

You can use this for:

Pro tip: After it gives you pushback, ask: "Which two concerns here matter most?"

That usually helps separate real risks from generic noise.

If you have only used ChatGPT so far, Claude is worth trying.

It is especially good for writing, long documents, thoughtful feedback, and situations where you want a more careful answer instead of a quick one.

That makes it a strong fit for the pressure-test idea in this issue. It is often good at giving useful pushback instead of just agreeing with you.

The free tier is enough to see if you like it. If you end up using AI a lot, the paid plan can be worth it.

Price: Free tier available · paid plan available
Best for: Writing help, long docs, thoughtful feedback, second opinions
Worth trying? Yes, especially if you want a more measured second opinion.

If you are stuck between two options, try this:

I’m deciding between [Option A] and [Option B]. Here’s my situation: [brief context]. What are the two most important factors I should weigh, and which option do you think is stronger based on those factors? Be direct.

The key phrase is "Be direct."

If you do not ask for that, AI will usually stay balanced and polite. Sometimes that is helpful. But when you actually need to decide, clarity is better.

That is it for this week.

If you know someone who is curious about AI but mostly overwhelmed by the noise, forward this to them. The whole point of this newsletter is to make AI feel practical, useful, and approachable for normal people.

Questions? Just reply. I read them.

Subscribe at aiforanyone.io · Written by the AI for Anyone team