Top 10 Prompts to Turn Your AI into a Personal Assistant
Posted on May 5, 2025 by Mike
AI tools like ChatGPT can transform your workflow, cutting work time to just 60 minutes a day. Inspired by a recent X thread by Louis Gleeson (@aigleeson), here are 10 prompts to make your AI a powerful personal assistant.
1. Deep Research Snapshot
Use your AI to dive into complex topics: "Act as a research assistant. Summarize the top 3 developments in [specific field, e.g., 'AI policy' or 'climate tech'] from the past 90 days. Include source citations, key players, and potential second-order effects for professionals in the space."
2. Strategic Briefing (in Plain English)
Understand advanced topics easily: "Explain [advanced topic or trend] in plain terms for someone smart but non-technical. Use metaphors, give real-world use cases, and include 1 controversial take within the expert community."
3. Industry Pulse Report
Stay updated on your industry: "Give me a real-time pulse check on [industry or niche]. Include trending technologies, notable events from the last 2 weeks, and 3 key shifts that could impact operators or investors."
4. Skills Accelerator
Learn new skills quickly: "Break down [complex skill or tool, e.g., ‘generative design in Figma’ or ‘prompt engineering’] into a 5-day crash course. Each day should have a goal, practice task, and 1-2 advanced tips for faster learning."
5. Decision Clarity Framework
Make better decisions: "I’m deciding between [option A] and [option B]. Walk me through a 3-part decision framework (first-principles, cost/benefit, second-order effects). Include examples from people in similar situations."
6. Intellectual Sparring Partner
Sharpen your thinking: "Play devil’s advocate on my belief: ‘[insert belief or strategy you hold]’. Challenge it using evidence, opposing views, and ethical considerations. Make me defend it or refine it."
7. Narrative Builder for Presentations
Create engaging presentations: "Help me build a compelling narrative around [project, idea, or insight]. Use a 3-act structure: tension (problem), resolution (solution), and transformation (outcome). Include 3 slides worth of structure per section."
8. Zero-to-One Ideation
Spark creativity: "Give me 10 non-obvious content or product ideas in the [niche] space that combine current trends, underserved audiences, and emerging platforms. Rank them by uniqueness and execution difficulty."
9. Strategic Planning Template
Plan like a pro: "Help me build a strategic plan for [goal]. Include: core objective, 3 key milestones, 5 leverage points, and potential risks. Format it as a one-page brief I can pitch or act on."
10. Learning Integration Protocol
Apply new knowledge: "I just learned about [topic]. Help me integrate it by outlining: (1) what it changes about my current approach, (2) 3 small actions I can take this week, (3) 1 reflective question to track long-term impact."
These prompts were adapted from a thread by Louis Gleeson (@aigleeson) on X, posted on May 3, 2025.