AI as Your Co-Pilot: A Thinking Framework from a Curious Mind

AI Rabbit Hole

| June 18, 2025

If you’re like me, you probably have a mind full of random thoughts and weird questions. Do you ever find yourself watching a documentary or learning something new, and suddenly a random thought pops in your mind or some crazy pattern sticks out? Do you find yourself wanting to dig deeper to figure it out? To figure out how it works? If so, you've found your way to the right place.

This NewsLesson isn't about complex code or becoming an AI developer. Instead, it’s about showing you how to use AI as an intellectual co-pilot and not just a tool. The goal is to transform it into a genuine thought partner that feeds your curiosity, deepens your understanding, and empowers you to act on newfound knowledge. It’s about leveraging AI as a powerful extension of your own mind to become a better thinker.

The goal of this Newslesson:

Is to understand how to apply a practical, iterative process for working with AI as a thought partner to explore whatever your little heart desires beyond surface-level answers.

How we will get there:

* Identify everyday moments of curiosity that can serve as starting points for using AI as a "thought partner.”

* Recognize the importance of critically evaluating AI-generated outputs and identify linguistic cues that signal the AI’s confidence levels.

* Appreciate how AI can function as a catalyst for learning new knowledge and taking tangible action based on that learning.

The Spark of Curiosity: Where the AI Journeys Begin

For me, an AI interaction rarely starts with a grand plan. It begins with a simple "huh?" moment from daily life. A detail in a History Channel documentary about the Anunnaki, prime numbers, or ancient structures might snag my attention. As a math major, my brain instinctively searches for underlying logic or connections. Before AI, these questions might have gone unanswered. Now, that "huh?" moment is an immediate invitation to open a dialogue with an AI and start exploring.

AI as Your Intellectual Co-Pilot: The Power of Dialogue

The real magic happens when you treat AI as a thought partner, not a vending machine for answers. It’s about engaging in a dynamic, evolving conversation.

* First Question: Start with your entry point, like, "What's the connection between the Anunnaki, prime numbers, and pyramid alignments?"

* AI's Response: The AI might offer historical context, mathematical possibilities, or note the speculative nature of some theories. It’s crucial to critically challenge the AI outputs. If/And and If/Then statements are clues to continue digging that AI Rabbit Hole. Some of the keywords or phrases are highlighted in green represent where I would focus my next query on.

* Your Follow-Up (This is Key): Use each part of the AI’s response to fuel your next question. Don't just accept the information; engage with it. One follow-up question might be: “What unstated patterns emerge between ‘divine number pattern’ and ‘Prime numbers’ and how are they used to represent a core layer of the universal structure.” Or “If the Anunnaki are mythic personifications, how can they be part of an ancient effort to build a bridge between the heavens and Earth. The iterative process is like peeling an onion, revealing more of the core subject with each layer.

Putting AI to the Test: From Ideas to Action (My AI Garden)

My curiosity isn't just for abstract thought; I want to see how things work in the real world. Last year, I used AI to optimize the soil in my raised garden beds.

* The Data: I brought a DIY soil test kit from the local Garden Center and tested my soil in each of my garden beds. I gathered the soil test results, the dimensions of my garden beds (3x5 feet each), and the brand of fertilizer I was using, including its instructions.

* The AI Input: I fed all this specific data to an AI model in a detailed prompt, asking how I should amend the soil for optimal conditions. I wanted to know what each bed was missing in terms of nutrients and fertilizers.

* The Result: The AI gave me a tailored set of recommendations based on the information I provide; bed size, soil test results, type of amendments/fertilizers, etc. The AI model was able to provide exact measurements for each of the amendments and fertilizers I had. While I can't prove it scientifically (because I didn’t write anything down), I had a remarkably successful harvest of tomatoes, garlic, jalapeños, and more. This success even inspired me to work on developing a gardening app using these methods.

The "Mechanic's Mindset" with AI: Deconstructing Complexity

As a retired mechanic, my job was to diagnose complex systems by following a logical procedure. To fix a faulty alternator, you don't just cut a hole in the hood; you pop the hood, remove the belt, loosen the bolts, and then extract it. I view math the same way, you must follow a specific sequence of operations.

If an AI's explanation is too dense, I push back. I'll ask, "Can you explain that to me as if I'm five years old?" or "Can you provide a mechanical analogy?". This approach helps me get over the "speed bump of not knowing," turning a frustrating barrier into a puzzle to be solved.

Tools & Resources

* AI Models: This lesson was developed using AI as a thought partner. I use models like ChatGPT and Gemini for my explorations.

* Learning Platforms: For my deep dives into math, I enjoy the visuals and explanations from Khan Academy and 3Blue1Brown on YouTube.

* Your Own Curiosity: Your personal experiences and the unique questions that arise from them are the most valuable inputs for any AI interaction.

Practice & Application

Try This: Your Own AI Thought Partnership

* Pick a Curiosity: Identify one specific thing you've genuinely wondered about recently.

* Start the Dialogue: Pose your initial question to your preferred AI chat interface.

* Iterate and Probe: Based on the AI's first response, ask at least 3-5 follow-up questions. Try to:

* Ask for clarification on any unclear point.

* Request a concrete example or a relatable analogy.

* Prompt the AI to consider an alternative perspective or counterarguments.

* Reflect and Analyze: After the conversation, reflect on how the dialogue flowed. Did you learn something new or surprising? What linguistic cues did you notice?

Ethical Considerations & Caveats

This is the most crucial part of using AI responsibly: AI outputs are not gospel truth. I learned this the hard way by falling for "hallucinations" early on.

* Look for Word Choices: Pay close attention to phrases like "could," "might be," or "this suggests." These are not definitive statements but cautious indicators of possibility that invite you to dig deeper.

* External Verification is Non-Negotiable: Always cross-reference important information with reliable, independent sources outside of the AI platform. Think of AI as a brilliant but sometimes erratic research assistant, never the final arbiter of truth.

* Maintain an Adversarial Mindset: Approach every AI output with healthy skepticism. You need to critically counter the outputs, not accept them as truth.

Summary & What’s Next

We've explored a practical framework for using AI as a dynamic thought partner, from sparking curiosity to critically evaluating outputs and taking action. The central takeaway is that AI is a powerful tool, but its effectiveness is magnified by your ability to think critically, ask incisive questions, and guide the interaction.

Next Issue: We'll dive deeper into the art and science of Prompting, exploring how specific techniques for asking questions can dramatically alter the quality, relevance, and depth of AI's answers.

What was the most surprising insight for you in this NewsLesson? How do you envision using AI as a "thought partner" this week?. Hit reply or find me on Substack. I try to read every response! If this lesson sparked your curiosity, please consider forwarding it to a friend who might also benefit.

Stay Curious,

The Curious Mechanic

Copyright 2025, J.T. Novelo. Escondido, CA.

Free Prompts:

Prompt 1: Curiosity Igniter

You are an AI Thought Partner, designed to spark and deepen the user’s curiosity on any topic. Your goal is to guide the user through an exploratory dialogue, starting with a question or curiosity they have (e.g., from a documentary, hobby, or daily observation). Ask the user to share their curiosity or provide a specific question. Offer a clear, concise response with context and possibilities, then suggest 2-3 follow-up questions to deepen their exploration. Use simple language or analogies if requested, and highlight any speculative or uncertain information with phrases like “this suggests” or “it’s possible.” Encourage the user to verify key points with external sources and propose one practical action to apply their insights (e.g., write a summary or try a small project). Conclude with a reflective question like, “How did this deepen your understanding?”

Prompt 2: Interdisciplinary Connection Builder

You are an AI Interdisciplinary Guide, helping the user connect ideas across different fields (e.g., math, history, science, or hobbies). Ask the user to share a topic or question that spans multiple domains or involves a pattern they’ve noticed. Provide a response that bridges at least two fields, explaining connections clearly and using analogies if needed (e.g., compare a math concept to a mechanical system). Highlight confidence levels with phrases like “could” or “some sources indicate” for uncertain claims. Suggest 2-3 follow-up questions to explore related disciplines and recommend a practical action, like creating a diagram or researching a source. Remind the user to cross-check key information with reliable external sources (e.g., academic papers or expert opinions). End with a reflection like, “What new connections did you discover?”

Prompt 3: Action-Oriented Problem Solver

You are an AI Practical Assistant, designed to help the user apply AI to real-world problems or projects. Ask the user to describe a specific problem or project (e.g., “I want to improve my garden’s yield” or “I need help understanding a math concept”). Request relevant data (e.g., measurements, context, or resources) and provide a tailored solution with clear steps or recommendations. Use a systematic approach, like a mechanic diagnosing a system, and break the problem into parts. Highlight any assumptions with phrases like “this might” or “based on available data.” Suggest 2-3 follow-up questions to refine the solution and recommend verifying with external sources (e.g., university extensions for gardening). Propose a concrete action (e.g., “Try this plan and track results”). End with a reflection like, “How will you apply this solution?”