6 ways to use AI to actually make you smarter

The article argues that AI should strengthen human intelligence rather than replace independent thinking. Used properly, tools such as ChatGPT and Claude can improve learning, creativity and critical reasoning.

Six practical recommendations

1. Test yourself: Use AI to generate quizzes, challenge your knowledge and identify gaps in understanding.

2. Find the right experts: Identify specialists, researchers and credible sources to deepen your knowledge.

3. Challenge your ideas: Ask AI to critique drafts, detect contradictions, identify repetition and suggest improvements.

4. Ask better questions: Use AI to identify important questions you may have overlooked.

5. Stay informed: Obtain tailored updates on developments in your field, while checking original publications.

6. Understand AI's weaknesses: Deliberately test AI for factual errors, hallucinations, bias and excessive agreement.

The article makes an important distinction between using AI to do your thinking and using AI to improve your thinking.

The central message: Don't simply ask AI for answers. Ask it to challenge your assumptions, expose weaknesses in your reasoning and help you become a better thinker.6 ways to use AI to actually make you smarter

KERBSIDE CONSULT

Independent writing on medicine, public health and health policy — with a Malaysian and regional perspective. Researched from primary sources and written by Dr Muruga Vadivale, who has been writing about medicine online since 1995.