How to use AI to help make a decision without letting it decide

This post will help you use AI to help make a decision, especially a complex one. You will learn how to get many different perspectives and keep control of the final choice. This way, you can make a decision that is truly yours, supported by a wide range of information.

Why use AI for complex decisions?

Making a complex decision often means looking at many different facts, opinions, and possible outcomes. It can be hard to keep all this information organised and to see how different parts connect. AI tools can help by quickly sorting through large amounts of information and presenting it in different ways. This does not mean the AI makes the decision for you. Instead, it acts like a helpful assistant, giving you a structured way to explore your options. You stay in charge, using the AI to broaden your view and challenge your own assumptions.

What to prepare before you start

Before you ask an AI tool to help make a decision, it is useful to prepare a few things. First, clearly define the decision you need to make. What is the main question you are trying to answer? Second, list the key factors or criteria that matter to you. For example, if you are choosing a new service, your criteria might include cost, features, and how easy it is to use. Third, gather any initial information you already have about your options. This could be a list of choices, some basic facts about each, or any specific requirements you have. The more clearly you set out your starting point, the more useful the AI's help will be. You can also set up custom instructions to make AI accessible for your needs.

Getting different perspectives

One of the most valuable ways to use AI to help make a decision is to ask it for different viewpoints. Instead of just asking for a simple answer, ask the AI to consider the issue from several angles. For example, you could ask it to list the good points and bad points of each option. You could also ask it to explain how different experts might view the situation. You might ask what a financial expert would say about a particular option, or how a user experience designer might evaluate a choice. This approach helps you see potential problems or benefits you might have missed. It also helps you avoid only seeing things from your own point of view, which can lead to a more balanced decision.

Preserving disagreement and conflicting information

Complex decisions often involve conflicting information or different opinions that cannot all be true at the same time. It is important not to let the AI smooth over these disagreements. Instead, ask the AI to highlight them. For instance, you could ask what the main disagreements are between two different approaches, or where the information about options conflicts. By keeping these differences clear, you can think about them directly. You can then decide which information you trust more, or which perspective is more important for your specific situation. This helps you make a decision based on a full understanding of the complexities, rather than a simplified one.

Structuring your decision process

AI can help you structure your decision-making process. You can ask it to create a table comparing your options against your criteria. For example, you might ask for a table with columns for different options, and rows for criteria such as cost, features, and how easy something is to use. You can then ask the AI to fill in information for each cell based on what you provide or what it can find. This structured approach makes it easier to compare options side-by-side. It also helps you see which options perform well on your most important criteria. Remember, you are guiding the AI to build this structure, and you are reviewing the information it provides.

Keeping control and making the final choice

It is crucial to remember that the AI is a tool to support your decision, not to make it for you. Always review the information the AI provides critically. Ask yourself if the information makes sense, and if anything is missing. If you feel an option has not been presented fairly, ask the AI to re-evaluate it. For example, you might ask for more detail on the potential downsides of a particular option. The final decision always rests with you. The AI's role is to give you a richer, more organised set of information and perspectives so that your decision is well-informed and confident. This process is about enhancing your ability to decide, not replacing it. You might also find it helpful to use AI to keep records, such as when using AI to log carer hours and keep a record of unpaid care and admin work.

Next steps for your decision

After using AI to explore your options and gather different perspectives, take time to reflect. Consider all the information you have, including any disagreements or conflicting points. Trust your own judgment to weigh the good points and bad points and make the choice that is right for you. You can also talk to others about what you have learned to get human input on your final choice.

If you would like support to build this skill, AI mentoring is aXai's program for people with disability who want to learn AI tools for their own goals, at their own pace. You can register your interest on the page.

aXai is a disability-led AI, software and accessibility company, delivering through AI-supported work: skilled people with disability in real, properly paid roles, with AI removing the barriers. Read how AI-supported work works.