Ming recommends using what she calls the “nemesis prompt” to challenge your own thinking. It works by prompting an AI to act as a “lifelong enemy” or nemesis, then ask it to explain in detail why your ideas are wrong and how you can fix them, forcing you to defend and refine your arguments rather than simply accepting the answers it provides.
Another technique she suggest is prioritising “productive friction” and asking the AI to only provide context and ask you questions, rather than supplying answers. When she tested this by fine-tuning an AI bot not to give answers, she found that more individuals were more engaged.
Ultimately, we should all be wary of cognitive shortcuts, which is something “our brains love”, Kosmyna says. Clearly, for long-term brain health we need to continue to challenge ourselves. Our minds, creativity and cognitive health will benefit in the process.
