Thinking through AI as the next new platform opportunity - Version One: How to Ask Good Questions: 5 Ways to Discover the Truth

Thinking through AI as the next new platform opportunity - Version One: How to Ask Good Questions: 5 Ways to Discover the Truth

The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has brought about exciting opportunities for businesses and developers. However, as with any new platform, there are important considerations to keep in mind. One of the key questions is how much value the underlying platform will retain for itself. Throughout history, platforms have often extracted the majority of the value, leaving little for those building on top. But in the case of AI, there is a chance that multiple companies will offer similar platforms, similar to how cloud computing is divided between AWS, Azure, and GCP.

OpenAI, Google, and Facebook are leading contenders in the AI space. With Microsoft as a partner, OpenAI has the potential to play a significant role in shaping the AI platform landscape. Competition between these companies should limit the dominance of a single company, ensuring that value is not monopolized at the expense of those building on top.

Another important question is who will capture the majority of the new value being generated - incumbents or start-ups? Incumbents have the advantage of unique data sets, large user bases, and strong balance sheets. This gives them an edge, particularly in the consumer market. However, when it comes to enterprise software, there is an opening for start-ups to create value with vertical-specific AI products. By designing interaction models that minimize friction and risk, start-ups can differentiate themselves and provide more value to their customers. This can be achieved by making it easy to bring a human into the loop and addressing regulatory and privacy constraints to protect brands.

Now, let's shift our focus to the art of asking good questions. Questions are powerful intellectual instruments that can elicit information, persuade, assess knowledge levels, and establish relationships. However, not all questions are created equal. It's important to ask the right questions if we want to discover the truth. Here are five ways to ask good questions:

1. Story-eliciting Questions: Our minds are wired to process stories, making story-eliciting questions effective in eliciting valuable information. By reverse-engineering the type of information we want to gather, we can craft questions that prompt compelling narratives.

2. Chunking Questions: Chunking questions help navigate the level of detail in a conversation. We can either chunk up or chunk down depending on the context. Chunking down is useful when answers are too general or abstract, while chunking up helps us understand how specific details fit into the larger picture.

3. Calibrated Questions: Former FBI hostage negotiator Chris Voss introduced calibrated questions, which start with "how." These questions are particularly useful in eliciting information from a counterpart who is making demands that we may be inclined to reject. Calibrated questions keep negotiations going by putting pressure on the counterpart to come up with answers and contemplate our problems.

4. The Columbo Method: Inspired by the famous TV detective Columbo, this method involves making others feel smarter than you are. By asking casual, random open questions, you put people at ease and create a relaxed environment for conversation. Then, when they least expect it, ask the question that gets to the heart of what you really want to know. The element of surprise can often yield valuable insights.

5. Alexander's Question: This question challenges assumptions and promotes analytical humility. By asking someone what new information would it take to change their mind, you prompt them to reassess their beliefs and standards. This question encourages open-mindedness and critical thinking.

In conclusion, the rise of AI as a platform opportunity brings both challenges and opportunities. It is crucial to consider how value will be distributed among the platform providers and those building on top. Additionally, understanding the art of asking good questions can be a powerful tool in discovering the truth. By utilizing techniques such as story-eliciting questions, chunking questions, calibrated questions, the Columbo Method, and Alexander's Question, we can gather valuable insights and navigate complex conversations effectively.

Actionable Advice:

1. When building on an AI platform, carefully consider the value distribution and potential competition among platform providers. This will help protect your interests and ensure a fair distribution of value.
2. When engaging in conversations or negotiations, practice the art of asking good questions. Utilize techniques like story-eliciting questions, chunking questions, calibrated questions, the Columbo Method, and Alexander's Question to gather valuable information and gain a deeper understanding.
3. Embrace open-mindedness and analytical humility. Challenge your own assumptions and be willing to reassess your beliefs based on new information. This mindset will enable you to adapt and make more informed decisions.

Remember, the power of AI and the art of asking good questions can lead to incredible insights and opportunities. By thinking through the potential of AI platforms and honing your questioning skills, you can navigate the ever-changing landscape and uncover the truth.