In recent months, many people have asked me about artificial intelligence. They would tell me things like: “You are very intelligent,” “think about it carefully,” “this will be fun.” The result was curious: practically nothing changed. Artificial intelligence is not motivated by flattery nor does it feel pressured. But there is something that remains constant: the importance of intellectual discipline. Analyze calmly. Ask clearly. Think responsibly. Artificial intelligence can help us a lot if we use it that way. In contrast, when the problem is analyzed methodically — identifying causes, variables, and consequences — the solutions appear with greater clarity. That is why I like to say that what we need is not quick answers, but structured thinking. Artificial intelligence works exactly the same way. The clearer the context, the better the results. Fourth: always verify. Artificial intelligence can help analyze information, but human judgment remains indispensable. And fifth: use technology as a support for better thinking, not as a substitute for it. I have seen in different areas of life that tools change, technology evolves, and methods are modernized. What matters is the mind that knows how to ask the right questions and the will to analyze before deciding. That is a principle that applies in business, in government, in academia, and also in daily life. The tools change. The responsibility to think well does not. And if this new technology can help us, it is precisely to remind us of something fundamental: the quality of our decisions will always depend on the quality of our thinking. Do good by doing it well! Because at the end of the day, true intelligence is not in the machine. What did improve accuracy was something much simpler: asking it to explain its reasoning step by step. When the system has to analyze, break down the problem, and explain how it reaches a conclusion, it makes fewer errors. Upon reading that study, I immediately thought of something I have learned over many years of working in different fields: in security, in business, in public service, and in civic participation. The quality of decisions depends on the quality of the analysis. In many important meetings, I have seen the same thing time and again. A group of researchers wanted to check if treating “chatbots” well would improve their answers. Some with enthusiasm, others with concern, and many with curiosity. And I always start by saying the same thing: artificial intelligence is an extraordinary tool, but its true value depends on how we use it. I read a very interesting study. But if the approach is clear, orderly, and contextualized, the tool can become a great support for analysis. In my experience, there are some very simple rules that help a lot to take better advantage of it. First: define the problem well. Often the error is not in the answer, but in the question being imprecise. Second: ask for analysis before conclusions. When one requests that the system explain its reasoning step by step, the quality improves notably. Third: give context. Objective, environment, limitations, audience. If the question is superficial, the answer will be too. When someone wants to jump straight to the answer, they usually make a mistake. It has no emotions.
