AI is a collaborator, not an oracle
An oracle hands down answers. A collaborator hands you material. The difference is what happens next.
The lesson
Treat an answer as a pronouncement and the conversation is over: you obey, or you don't. Treat it as a contribution and the conversation begins: you weigh it, push on it, mix it with what only you know. AI brings breadth. You bring your situation, your taste, your stakes. The final call was never up for grabs.
Try it — 60 seconds
Give me your recommendation on the question I ask. Then argue against your own recommendation — and tell me what would have to be true for each side to win.
Copy it into ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini — whichever you already use. Fill in the brackets with your real life.
Watch out
If you notice yourself asking "what should I do?" more than "what am I missing?" — that's oracle mode. Step back into the driver's seat.