A practical framework for deciding what to do next with AI—without drowning in tools or hype.
Most conversations about AI start in the wrong place.
They start with tools, features, or what's "possible."
What kind of help do I actually need right now?
AI as a teammate
A decision framework
Start with one role
Not the tool you want to try
Pick the function you need
Use what fits the role
Test with actual work
AI works best when it supports judgment, not when it replaces it.
Clarifying ideas, decisions, and direction.
Use AI to think, not to decide for you.
Clear framing, better questions, and a grounded next decision
Example prompt"Help me clarify what decision I'm actually trying to make here, and what constraints matter most."
Turning thoughts into drafts, words, and visuals.
Use AI to get something concrete on the page.
A usable first draft plus options to refine or extend it
Example prompt"Create a rough first draft of this idea so I have something to react to."
You don't need perfect prompts.
You need orientation.
Capturing work once so you don't repeat it.
Use AI to organize and stabilize work.
Repeatable workflows, templates, or automations that reduce effort over time
Example prompt"Help me organize this into a clear structure I can reuse."
Testing and moving faster without overbuilding.
Use AI to go faster after something already works.
Faster execution by removing friction, bottlenecks, or manual steps
Example prompt"Here's what already works—help me do it faster or with less effort."
Most AI frustration comes from pulling the right lever at the wrong time.
Understanding complex information through research, analysis, and synthesis.
Use AI when you need to understand something complex, compare options, or synthesize messy information.
Patterns, summaries, and understanding drawn from complex or messy information
Example prompt"What patterns or themes do you see here, and what might they suggest?"
Feeling overwhelmed or mentally stuck
→
Start with AI as a Thinking Partner
Have ideas but nothing concrete yet
→
Start with AI as a Creator
Repeating the same work again and again
→
Start with AI as a System Builder
Something already works but feels slow
→
Start with AI as an Accelerator
You have lots of information but little understanding
→
Start with AI as an Insight & Research Partner
In practice, you rarely use just one role at a time. Most work moves between roles as needs change.
When you're starting from scratch—an idea, a product, a program, or a workflow.
Often moves between AI as a Thinking Partner and AI as a Creator
→ COMMON AI USES: brainstorming, outlining, drafting, early prototyping
AI helps explore and shape ideas before committing to a direction.
When something works, but it's slow, manual, or inconsistent.
Often moves between AI as a System Builder and AI as an Accelerator
→ COMMON AI USES: workflows, SOPs, handoffs, automation
Best once the work is clear and repeatable.
When insight into customers, members, or teams is the real need.
Often centers on AI as an Insight & Research Partner, supported by AI as a Thinking Partner
→ COMMON AI USES: summarizing conversations, finding patterns, analyzing language
The goal is understanding, not speed.
When decision fatigue or mental overhead is the bottleneck.
Often starts with AI as a Thinking Partner
→ COMMON AI USES: reflection, prioritization, decision support
Usually requires no automation — just better thinking support.
If you're not sure what to ask AI, ask AI.
If you want a better prompt, ask AI to help you write one.
(Secondary to Function)
Tools matter less than function. Choose tools based on the role you're using, not what's trending.
Tools change fast. The roles don't.
Each role is powered by a small set of underlying capabilities that show up across nearly every AI tool.
Your versatile thinking partner
Deep thinking and thoughtful writing
AI-powered research with citations
Your knowledge brain and learning companion
Structure engine for rapid output
Build working apps from conversation
Voice-first AI collaboration
Create AI clones of expertise and voice
Agentic browser for automated tasks
Visual automation and integration platform
Open-source workflow automation
If AI gives you an answer that feels off, that's not a failure.
That's information.
Pick one tool and one role. Try it with something real from your work. Start small, build confidence, and expand from there.
Review the 5 Roles