5 Powerful Tricks for AI-Enabled Research
Learn everything you need about a topic in 10x less time
When I was very young, I thought becoming a writer meant becoming an eccentric philosopher living in a hut deep in a forest.
When I was a little bit older, I thought being a writer meant becoming an alcoholic with a deep, traumatic past.
When I became an adult, I awoke into the online writing industry. I suddenly became a writer.
Suddenly, becoming a writer meant being a clueless 21-year-old researching weird things like loans in Australia, the intricacies of HR automation, fishing rod materials, and many other weird and disparate things.
Being a writer meant the ability to acquire a ton of information in as little time as possible.
And before ChatGPT dropped a nuke on the writing industry, spending hours researching these weird topics was part of being an online writer.
That has changed. Drastically.
Yes, you shouldn’t rely on ChatGPT and AI tools for everything. But today, I rely on it for research — especially for topics I have no idea about.
The reality of writing
Research is critical. Even the most successful writers conduct rigorous research before typing a single word — and that’s true for both fiction and non-fiction writers.
Even when you think you know your “niche,” you still need to hop on to Google occasionally.
When I was freelancing, I got to write for many different clients and industries. That was a wild ride, because I got acquainted with so many different subject matters.
I didn’t even know these things existed. And yet, I could still deliver satisfactory output, enough to maintain a sustainable income for years. That’s because of thorough and diligent research.
For you in the here and now, this means two things:
Research is always necessary and expected if you’re writing online.
AI supercharges this skill (drastically), if you know how to use it properly.
Research is essential, whatever your skill level.
Here’s how you can leverage AI to do what used to take hours in minutes.
How to research with AI: The only 5 tips you need
Now that you understand just how critical research is, it’s time to learn AI to supercharge your research.
Writing for a new B2B client?
Researching the mechanics for your new steampunk vampire erotica?
Literally all the knowledge you need is on the internet, and these tips will help you access it.
1. Use these prompt structures
AI is only as good as the questions you ask. By structuring your prompts thoughtfully, you can direct AI to provide specific information.
Here are some powerful approaches.
ELI 5 (Explain Like I’m 5)
This is perfect when breaking down complex topics into simple, digestible concepts. Think of it as talking to a curious 5-year-old.
Example Prompt: "Explain quantum computing like I’m 5. Use a playground metaphor."
Expected Output: "Quantum computing is like playing on a see-saw. Regular computers can only sit on one side at a time (1 or 0), but quantum computers can balance in the middle, doing both at once!"
Three-Level Method (Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced Knowledge Levels)
Sometimes you need different depths of understanding, according to your own level of knowledge. This method helps AI tailor its output to varying expertise levels.
Sample prompt:
Beginner: "Explain blockchain to a beginner.”
Intermediate: "Explain blockchain to someone who already knows something a bit about blockchain.”
Advanced: "Explain specifics of blockchains.”
Metaphors
Metaphors bridge the gap between abstract ideas and relatable imagery, making even the most intimidating subjects approachable.
Example Prompt: "Describe neural networks using a metaphor about gardening."
Expected Output: "A neural network is like a garden. Each neuron is a plant, and the connections between them are the irrigation system. The garden grows better as the irrigation adapts to the plants’ needs based on sunlight, water, and nutrients."
2. Provide Context
AI thrives on clarity. Before posing a question, provide the necessary backdrop to help it generate meaningful responses. Think of it like giving a tour guide a detailed itinerary.
Important context to include:
Who you are: Are you a beginner exploring AI for the first time, or a seasoned professional looking for advanced insights? This sets the tone for the response.
What you’re trying to do: Specify your goals. Are you drafting an article, developing a course, or brainstorming creative ideas?
Your goals: Be explicit about the output you want. Do you need brevity, a comprehensive guide, or actionable steps?
Example Prompt:
"I’m a freelance writer working on a piece about AI ethics. I need a concise, bullet-pointed list of the pros and cons of using AI in hiring decisions. Include examples."
3. Use Perplexity AI
One of the best hacks for AI-powered research is using a tool like Perplexity AI.
While ChatGPT is like an assistant you can talk to, Pexplexity AI is like Google on steroids. It focuses on precision and transparency.
Perplexity AI is designed to provide accurate, concise, and reliable answers to your queries. Think of it as the bridge between conversational AI like ChatGPT and traditional search engines, but with an added layer of transparency.
Here are some pretty cool things you can do with it:
Never worry about hallucinations
Relevant and high-quality external links
Instantly evaluate the source quality of the information you’re receiving.
Customize the search to only peer-reviewed journals, books, etc.
4. Use custom GPTs
Custom GPTs allow you to train AI on specific contexts or styles, making its responses more tailored to your needs. It’s working with a specialist rather than a generalist.
Here are some custom GPTs you can find out there:
Creative consultant
Marketing strategist
Business coach or consultant
Peer-reviewed journal finder
Laws and contracts for specific places, and more.
There’s a custom GPT for almost every niche imaginable, so whatever you’re researching, you can quickly specialize ChatGPT to them.
5. Conversational learning
Approach AI like you’re actually talking to someone. Instead of static prompts, engage it in dynamic, back-and-forth exchanges. This is a simple tip, but vastly underrated — I can’t tell you how many times I forget to ask it follow up questions.
What kind of questions can you ask? Here’s a pretty exciting list:
What am I missing?
How would this apply in a different context? For example, on X
What are some potential criticisms of X? What are the responses?
What’s another analogy to explain this concept?
Summarize the three main factors influencing this process
Pretty cool.
Final thoughts
We live in an age of overwhelming abundance. The internet holds more information than anyone could absorb in a lifetime, and it’s growing by the second. It’s a bottomless library with books spilling off every shelf.
Exciting? Sure. Overwhelming? Absolutely.
But that’s where AI steps in—not as a replacement for your curiosity, but as the librarian who knows exactly where to look.
The beauty is in how fast AI helps you learn. On your terms.
It takes the flood of information and serves you just what you need, when you need it. And that’s the power of combining your creativity with AI’s efficiency: you stay in control, but the process becomes faster, smarter, and way less stressful.
So stop trying to drink from a violent firehose of information.
Channel it through AI to make a clear, refreshing stream—made just for you.
Until next edition,
James