Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer a futuristic concept—it’s an everyday companion. From virtual assistants like Siri and Alexa to advanced chatbots such as ChatGPT, AI has transformed the way we communicate, work, and even think. But while AI may feel natural to use, there are unspoken rules of interaction that can help us navigate this technology safely and effectively. Following these principles not only enhances the quality of conversations but also protects us from being misled.
Why the Hype Around AI Feels So Real
Earlier this year, a Hong Kong finance worker was tricked into transferring US$25 million after scammers used deepfake technology to impersonate his company’s chief financial officer in a video call. Believing he was talking to trusted colleagues, he authorized the massive payment—only to discover later it was a sophisticated fraud.
This dramatic case illustrates how convincing AI-driven interactions can be. Humans are wired to anthropomorphize—to attribute human qualities to non-humans. Where once this applied to animals, now it extends to machines. Generative AI systems respond with fluent, context-aware language, which makes them feel “real” even though they lack actual thought or understanding.
1. Be Clear and Specific in Your Prompts
AI thrives on well-structured instructions. A vague prompt like “write about science” might bring a generic answer, while a detailed request such as “create a 200-word kid-friendly blog explaining why learning science is important, with simple examples” produces far better results. Specificity allows AI to align with your true intent.
2. Respect Ethical and Safety Boundaries
Scams and misuse of AI—like the Hong Kong case—highlight the importance of ethical responsibility. AI should never be used for fraud, misinformation, or harm. As a user, ensure your requests are constructive and safe. Treat AI like a professional tool: the more responsibly you use it, the more valuable it becomes.
3. Understand the Rules of Conversation
One reason AI feels so convincing is that it follows the rules of human conversation. Linguists often point to philosopher Paul Grice’s conversational maxims:
- Quality – provide truthful, evidence-based information.
- Quantity – share enough, but not too much.
- Relevance – stay on topic.
- Manner – be clear and orderly.
Generative AI chatbots usually excel at quantity, relevance, and manner—which is why they’re useful for writing and brainstorming. But they often fail on quality, producing “hallucinations” (false but convincing responses). Humans instinctively assume truth and relevance in conversation, so we may accept AI’s words at face value. Recognizing this bias helps us remain cautious.
4. Use Iteration to Refine Responses
AI interactions are collaborative. If the first answer isn’t perfect, refine your request rather than discarding it. This back-and-forth process teaches the AI your preferences and often leads to higher-quality outputs. Think of it as guiding a conversation, not issuing one-off commands.
5. Avoid Overloading with Multiple Requests
While AI can process complex inputs, bombarding it with unrelated questions at once can cause confusion. Breaking down tasks ensures each answer is accurate and focused. This mirrors how human conversations work best when one topic is addressed at a time.
6. Give Feedback to Shape Results
The more guidance you provide—such as “make this more professional” or “explain it in simple terms for kids”—the closer AI gets to your expectations. Feedback transforms your interaction into a collaborative exchange, sharpening tone, style, and relevance.
7. Remember: Language ≠ Thought
Generative AI often gives the illusion of intelligence because it uses language fluently. But as linguists like Kyle Mahowald and Anna Ivanova note, fluency doesn’t equal thinking. AI has formal linguistic competence (rules and patterns) but not functional competence (real-world understanding). A response may sound correct yet miss the human context—like telling a nervous friend about cortisol levels instead of offering comfort. Keep this distinction in mind to avoid overestimating AI’s capabilities.
8. Balance Creativity with Verification
AI is excellent at brainstorming, drafting, and problem-solving, but it isn’t a fact-checker. Always verify critical information before acting on it. Use AI for creativity and productivity, but balance it with your own critical thinking to ensure accuracy and reliability.
Conclusion: A Tool, Not a Human
The unspoken rules of interacting with AI highlight one truth—it is a powerful tool, not a person. Its success lies in mimicking conversational patterns, and our human instinct to cooperate in dialogue makes it feel real. But just as the Hong Kong scam proves, over-trusting AI can be costly. Be clear, ethical, cautious, and critical when engaging with AI. By following these principles, you can unlock its full potential while staying firmly in control.
Moonpreneur is on a mission to disrupt traditional education and future-proof the next generation with holistic learning solutions. Its Innovator Program is building tomorrow’s workforce by training students in AI/ML, Robotics, Coding, IoT, and Apps, enabling entrepreneurship through experiential learning.
