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How to Use AI as a Work Buddy

One of the most underrated ways people use AI is as a constant thinking partner throughout the workday — not for big projects, but for the dozens of small tasks that add up: sanity-checking an idea before presenting it, drafting a quick message that's been sitting half-written for an hour, thinking through the pros and cons of a decision, or just talking through a problem out loud when there's no one around to think with. If you work alone or remotely, AI fills a real gap here. The mental model that works best is to treat it like a smart colleague who's always available and never too busy: describe what you're trying to figure out, think out loud, and let the conversation help you move forward.

5 Best Prompts for Using AI as a Work Buddy to Ask Claude or ChatGPT

Copy any prompt below and paste it directly into your AI of choice.

  1. Prompt 01 · Think through a decision

    "I'm trying to decide whether to [decision]. Here are the options I'm considering: [list]. Here's what I know and what I'm uncertain about: [explain]. Can you help me think through this — identify what I might be missing, challenge any assumptions, and help me reach a clearer view?"

    Best for: decisions you've been going back and forth on and need a thinking partner to help resolve.

  2. Prompt 02 · Sanity check an idea

    "I have an idea I want to run by you: [describe idea]. I'm excited about it but I want an honest critique before I pitch it or act on it. What are the strongest arguments against it? What am I probably not seeing? What would need to be true for this to work?"

    Best for: pressure-testing an idea before you commit to it.

  3. Prompt 03 · Get unstuck

    "I've been staring at [task/problem] for [time] and I can't seem to make progress. Here's where I am and what I've tried: [explain]. Can you help me figure out what's actually blocking me and give me a very specific next step to take in the next 15 minutes?"

    Best for: breaking through procrastination or creative blocks with a concrete nudge.

  4. Prompt 04 · Think out loud

    "I need to think out loud about something and I don't need advice — I need you to listen, ask good questions, and help me find my own answer. The situation is: [describe]. Please ask me one question at a time and let me think through it."

    Best for: Socratic problem-solving when you already know the answer but need help finding it.

  5. Prompt 05 · Prepare before a meeting

    "I have a meeting in [X] minutes with [who] about [topic]. Can you help me quickly: (1) identify the one thing I most need to communicate, (2) anticipate the questions or pushback I might get, and (3) think of one smart question I should ask?"

    Best for: a fast 5-minute prep that makes you noticeably sharper in the room.