The Secret Language of AI: How to Talk with Chatbots

You’ve probably chatted with an AI before. Maybe it was a customer service bot on a website that kept offering you coupons when you were just trying to cancel something (classic). Or maybe it was a tool like ChatGPT that helped you brainstorm a birthday message, write a tricky email, or just keep you company while working late at night.

But here’s the thing: if you’ve ever thought, “Ugh, this bot is useless”—don’t worry, you’re not alone. The truth is, AI doesn’t work like magic. It’s more like... a really smart intern. It can help a lot, but only if you know how to ask for what you want.

So today, I’m sharing my personal cheat sheet: my go-to “rules” for getting the most out of AI tools. Whether you're chatting with ChatGPT or pinging that pop-up bot on a website, these tips will make your life easier. Pinky promise.

1. Be Specific. Like, Weirdly Specific.

Imagine walking into a bakery and saying, “I’d like something sweet.” That could mean a cookie. Or a tiramisu. Or a three-tier wedding cake. The poor baker has no idea.

Same thing with AI.

If you say, “Write me something nice,” AI is going to do its best. But what does “nice” mean? Instead, try:

“Write a friendly thank-you email to my coworker Alex for covering my shift last Friday. Keep it short and casual.”

You just went from vague to “Ah, now I get it!”—and so does the AI.

2. Use Roleplay (It’s Not as Weird as It Sounds)

No, I don’t mean dressing up like a pirate (unless you're into that). I mean setting a role for the AI. If you say:

“Pretend you’re a marketing expert helping me write Instagram captions for a skincare brand,”

You instantly give the AI some direction and context. It knows the tone, the topic, and how to help.

Pro tip: Use “You are a…” to kick things off. Like:

• “You are a nutritionist helping me plan vegan meals for the week.”

• “You are a therapist helping me write a breakup text. Be kind but firm.”

• “You are a business coach reviewing my pitch deck.”

It’s like giving your intern a job title. Way easier than “Hey, help me.”

3. Give Examples (AI Loves Patterns)

AI learns fast when you give it patterns. So if you want help writing, say, job descriptions, you’ll get way better results if you show what kind of tone or structure you like.

Try this:

“Here’s one I wrote that I like: ‘We’re looking for a bold, creative designer who isn’t afraid to challenge the norm.’ Can you write something similar for a marketing role?”

This works for jokes, resumes, product descriptions, dating bios—you name it.

4. Break Big Questions into Smaller Ones

Asking an AI to “Explain climate change” is like asking your friend to “summarize the internet.” Try breaking it down:

• “Can you explain how greenhouse gases trap heat?”

• “What’s the difference between weather and climate?”

One question = one clear answer. Stack them, and suddenly you’re building understanding instead of drinking from a firehose.

5. Be Honest About What You Need

Don’t try to sound smart. Just say what’s on your mind.

I’ve literally typed, “Can you help me say this better?” or “This sounds mean—can you soften it?” And guess what? AI gets it.

You don’t need fancy prompts or techy lingo. Just write like you talk. The more natural your input, the more natural the output.

6. Refine, Don’t Restart

Let’s say the AI gives you something that’s... meh. Don’t delete everything and start from scratch. Just talk to it like a collaborator:

• “Can you make this sound more confident?”

• “This part feels too long—can you shorten it?”

• “I like the tone, but can you add some humor?”

Refining is where the magic happens. You’re shaping the output together.

7. Use Constraints Creatively

AI loves boundaries. You’d think it wants to run wild—but nope. It thrives on rules. Try things like:

• “Write this as a poem with three stanzas.”

• “Summarize this in exactly 50 words.”

• “Give me three bullet points and a punny title.”

You can even play games with it:

• “Give me dating advice as if you were Yoda.”

• “Write a breakup text using only emojis.”

Yes, it’ll play along. And yes, it’s more fun than scrolling TikTok.

8. Remember: It Has No Feelings

This one’s important. AI doesn’t judge you. It doesn’t get tired. It doesn’t think your questions are silly.

You can ask the same thing five different ways. You can ask for “a version that sounds like Taylor Swift lyrics” (done it). You can say “Try again” a hundred times.

It won’t roll its eyes. It just wants to help.

9. Learn Its Limits (But Work Around Them)

AI can’t read your mind. It also doesn’t know current events unless it’s connected to the internet. It can’t give medical or legal advice. And yes, it sometimes makes stuff up (ugh, I know).

So if the answer seems off—fact-check it. Or just say:

• “Where did you get this from?”

• “Can you give me sources for this?”

• “This feels made up—try again and stick to the facts.”

The more you spot its quirks, the better you get at steering the ship.

10. You’re in Charge. Always.

AI is a tool. A really powerful one. But you decide what’s good, what works, what feels right.

So don’t be afraid to push back. Tweak. Add your voice. Turn the AI’s dry summary into something you’d actually say.

It’s like baking with a premade dough. You can shape it, flavor it, and make it yours.

Talking to AI is like learning a new language—but it’s one you already half-speak. You just need to get comfy with the rhythm. Be specific. Be honest. Give feedback. Ask again.

Once you get the hang of it, you’ll realize it’s less about “AI vs. human” and more like a creative tag team.

And who doesn’t want a super-smart, judgment-free assistant who’s ready 24/7?

So go ahead—chat with your chatbot. Just remember: the real secret?

You’re the boss. The AI’s just here to help.