Two Clear Options: Asking AI to Cut Choices Down and Tackle Decision Fatigue

This post will help you use AI to get two clear options when you have too many choices. You will learn how to ask AI to compare these options and explain the trade-offs.

Making decisions can be hard when you have many choices. This can lead to what people call decision fatigue. AI tools can help by reducing a long list of options to just two. This makes it easier to compare and choose. You can ask an AI to give you two options and explain the good and bad points of each. This way, you can make a choice you can act on.

Why reducing choices matters

When you have many options, it can feel overwhelming. This is especially true for important decisions, like choosing a new service or planning a big project. Your brain has to work harder to compare each item on a long list. This can make you feel tired and stressed, and sometimes you might put off making a decision altogether. By reducing the number of choices to two, you simplify the task. This lets you focus your energy on a clear comparison, helping you decide with more confidence. It helps to avoid decision fatigue.

What to prepare before you ask AI

Before you ask an AI tool to help, think about what you need. Gather all the information about the decision you are making. This includes the goal you want to achieve, any limits you have (like a budget or time), and what is most important to you. For example, if you are choosing a video service, write down what kind of video you need (social, explainer, or training), how long it should be, and what you want it to do. The more detail you give the AI, the better its suggestions will be. You might also list some of the options you are already considering.

How to ask AI to give you two options

To get two clear options, you need to be specific in your request to the AI. Start by telling the AI what decision you are making. Then, ask it to give you two distinct options. Make sure you also ask for the trade-offs for each option. This means asking for the advantages and disadvantages, or the pros and cons. For example, you might ask the AI to suggest two types of videos for explaining a service, and to explain the trade-offs for each type, considering length and cost. The AI might then suggest an explainer video up to 4 minutes, and a social video up to 90 seconds, detailing what each offers and what you might miss out on with the other.

Checking the AI's suggestions

Once the AI gives you two options and their trade-offs, it is important to check them. Read through the information carefully. Does it make sense? Does it match what you know about the situation? Think about whether the AI has understood your needs. If you asked for a video to explain a service and it suggested a training video, you might need to refine your request. Look for any details that seem wrong or unclear. The AI is a tool to help you, but you are still the one making the final decision.

What if the AI's options are not quite right?

Sometimes, the first answer from the AI might not be exactly what you need. This is normal. If the options are not clear, or if they do not address your main concerns, you can ask the AI to try again. You can refine your prompt by adding more details or by highlighting what was missing from its first answer. For example, if the AI suggested two options that were too expensive, you could ask for two options under a certain price. Or if you need more detail on a specific aspect, you could ask for more information about the benefits of one option for reaching new customers. Keep refining your request until you get options that are helpful.

Keeping control of your decisions

Using AI to reduce choices helps you manage information, but you remain in control of the decision. The AI provides suggestions based on the data it has. Your own knowledge, values, and specific situation are still vital. Always use the AI's output as a starting point for your own thinking, not as a final answer. You might find that after seeing two options, you realise a third, unmentioned option is actually best, or that you need to do more research on a specific point. The goal is to make your decision-making process clearer, not to hand over the decision itself. This approach helps to manage decision fatigue.

Next steps for your task

After you have used AI to narrow down your choices, take time to think about the two options. Consider which one best meets your goals and fits your limits. Make your decision and plan your next actions. You can also use AI to help you plan the steps to carry out your chosen option.

If you want to learn more about setting up your AI, check out Set your AI's rules once: Custom instructions to make AI accessible. For help with tracking tasks, you might find Using AI to log carer hours and keep a record of unpaid care and admin work useful.

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.