Since the release of artificial intelligence (AI) models such as ChatGPT and Gemini, accessible to the general public, various methods have emerged to improve the results obtained from these tools. Here, one of the co-founders of OpenAI offers recommendations on how to interact more effectively with these tools to maximize their potential.
OpenAI’s artificial intelligence (AI), known as o1, has been recognised for offering insightful solutions and generating well-informed answers. While this technology is available to users of OpenAI’s Plus and Team subscription plans, it has also now been integrated into Microsoft’s Copilot tool, where users can access it for free.
Despite its high potential, many, or rather “most” of the users still don’t take full advantage of its capabilities. According to Greg Brockman, co-founder of OpenAI, the key to maximising AI’s performance lies in how you interact with the tool. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he shared a series of tips to improve user experience which we tell you below.
The importance of asking clear and detailed questions
1. Ask Clear and Structured Questions
According to Brockman, the quality of o1’s responses depends largely on the way in which the prompts – the questions or instructions that users provide to the AI – are formulated. That’s why, to take full advantage of its capabilities, users must be precise and structured when formulating their requests.
Brockman compared interacting with AI to having a conversation between people, suggesting that users should be able to explain their requests in an understandable way, as they would to a friend or family member. Clarity not only makes it easier for AI to understand, but it also allows it to offer more accurate and complete responses.
2. Be Specific About the Desired Response Format
In addition to being clear, requests should be detailed. It is essential that users indicate the format of the response they expect to receive. This may include, for example, a preference for a brief summary or a more extensive explanation. Providing this type of detail helps the AI deliver responses structured to the querier’s specific needs.
3. Avoid Grammatical and Typographical Errors
The wording of prompts significantly impacts the AI’s ability to understand requests. Grammatical or typographical errors can make it difficult for the AI to correctly understand the question and may also lead to misinterpretations. Therefore, it is advisable to review the requests carefully before sending them.
4. Provide AI the Context for Better Responses
Finally, providing additional context about the question or problem being solved can be instrumental in getting a more relevant and specific answer. In many cases, by including details about the environment or background of the problem, o1 can generate solutions that go beyond just a direct answer.
Free access through Microsoft Copilot
Although o1 is available via OpenAI’s subscription plans, its integration with Microsoft tools significantly expands its accessibility. Within the Microsoft ecosystem, o1 is incorporated under the name Think Deeper.
This feature allows Microsoft users to ask complex questions and get detailed analysis at no additional cost , as long as they sign in with a Microsoft account. The Think Deeper button, located in the prompt field, activates o1’s advanced capabilities, allowing AI to analyze questions from multiple perspectives.
With this collaboration, OpenAI and Microsoft seek to expand the use of this advanced tool to a broader user base , ranging from professionals who need to solve technical problems to students seeking support with academic tasks or projects.
The potential of OpenAI’s o1 is vast, but its effectiveness depends largely on how users interact with it. Through a series of simple guidelines, such as clarity in questions, specification of response format, and inclusion of additional context, users can significantly improve the results they get from AI.