{"id":813,"date":"2026-02-23T16:33:27","date_gmt":"2026-02-23T16:33:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.rutgers.edu\/speaking-of-stem\/?p=813"},"modified":"2026-02-23T16:33:27","modified_gmt":"2026-02-23T16:33:27","slug":"practices-for-using-ai-effectively","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.rutgers.edu\/speaking-of-stem\/practices-for-using-ai-effectively\/","title":{"rendered":"Practices For Using AI Effectively"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\"Names<\/p>\n

AI SEO\u200b Performance Digital Marketing | Level Agency<\/a> is licensed under CC BY 2.0<\/p>\n

The use of AI and AI chatbots has increased significantly, becoming deeply integrated into everyday interactions with technology. Even when performing a simple Google search, the first result is often an AI generated response<\/a> that provides an answer or summary related to the query. In many cases,\u00a0 the AI generated response does all the work by giving the answer, and the source from which they got it.<\/p>\n

Why do people use AI<\/b><\/p>\n

Beyond Google\u2019s AI-generated search responses, individuals are increasingly engaging with AI chatbots across a variety of platforms and everyday activities. For one of the most popular platforms, ChatGPT (which had roughly 10%<\/a> of adults globally engage with it at least once in 2025), usage has increased in both work related and non-work related conversations; however, non-work related use makes up between 50-70%<\/a> of ChatGPT conversations. The use of AI (specifically in chatbots) has become dramatically normalized in day to day activities. According to \u201cHow People Use ChatGPT<\/a>,\u201d most inquiries involve modifying user-provided text, followed by requests for tutoring or information about people, current events, products, and recipes. These patterns suggest that user queries typically revolve around ensuring correctness in text-based work, learning-oriented interactions, and practical, everyday topics.<\/p>\n

How to use AI Effectively<\/b><\/p>\n

AI models can be effective for both academic and non-academic queries. To get the most out of AI, users should take advantage of deep search tools that consolidate information and sources on a specific topic, which can save significant time. Many people struggle with finding reliable information or are unsure where to look or how to search effectively. With the right query, AI chatbots can pull credible sources, though users should always verify those sources themselves to ensure accuracy. This can be especially helpful if you’re in a time crunch. To get the most out of it,\u00a0 Ethan Mollick, Wharton Business School professor and AI researcher, recommends<\/a>:<\/p>\n

Be clear with what you want\u00a0<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

Don\u2019t leave it up to the Chatbox to guess what you want, remember: vague prompts lead to vague answers. Being clear with what your search initially helps save time and reduces the need for follow-up corrections. For example, if you\u2019re constructing an email to send to your employees to thank them for doing great work on a project, do not just state \u201cMake me a thank you email to my employees for a good job\u201d. Instead use something along the lines of \u201cI\u2019m writing a thank you letter to my employees for company x. Express gratitude and how their efforts helped the company. Here are details of the company project [Insert details] and results that were made because of everyone’s contributions [Insert details].<\/p>\n

Be specific\u00a0<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

Be specific with your request. The more accurate and tailored your response is, the easier it is for the chat bot to leave out irrelevant information. Specifying the tone, length, audience, and formality can help better tailor the response to your needs.<\/p>\n

Give context\u00a0<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

Context helps the AI understand your situation by giving it more information to work with. Including background information, goals, constraints, or examples of what you’re aiming for helps the AI produce more relevant results.<\/p>\n

Ask for different options<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

AI can’t read minds, and oftentimes you can give them information that’s best to your knowledge and still might not be quite right. Asking AI to generate multiple variations gives options, making it easier to choose what fits your needs.<\/p>\n

You Should be Cautious of these AI Practices<\/b><\/p>\n

Many people are suspicious and have concerns with AI being so heavily integrated in their lives. Some of the main concerns<\/a> about AI are the possible misuse of personal data, uncertainty about how much information is being collected, and the potential risks to privacy and security. In academic settings especially, relying on AI to complete assignments and presenting that work as your own is considered unethical and often violates school or university policies. AI can be a helpful tool, but it should support, not replace, your own critical thinking and original work. It\u2019s important to understand when AI is appropriate to use, when it isn\u2019t, and where responsibility ultimately falls on the user. AI can also be confident liars<\/a> and often present falsehoods as facts or just make stuff up ( known as hallucinating). By staying aware of these risks and practicing responsible use, individuals can benefit from AI without compromising their integrity or privacy.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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