Want AI to be more than just a tool? Here’s a simple trick: use role-based prompts to turn it into a specialized partner for your tasks. I’ll show you how two simple phrases (“Act as” and “You are”) can transform your AI interactions.

Think of it like this: “Act as” is similar to asking someone to step into a temporary role. When you tell AI to “Act as a fitness coach,” it adapts its approach specifically for that workout session. It’s flexible and focused on the immediate task at hand.

On the flip side, “You are” creates a more stable identity. When you tell AI “You are a financial advisor,” it maintains that professional perspective throughout your conversation. This works great when you need consistent, ongoing support in a particular area.

But neither approach is inherently better. The magic lies in choosing the right one for your specific needs. Want quick, focused help with a particular task? Go with “Act as.” Looking for sustained support with a consistent perspective? “You are” might be your best bet.

Let’s put this into practice. Say you’re working on a presentation. You might start with “Act as a presentation coach reviewing my draft” to get specific feedback on your current version. Later, you could switch to “You are a subject matter expert in my field” for detailed content review.

Sometimes the best approach is to combine both. Start broad with “You are a marketing strategist” to establish the overall context, then narrow down with “Act as a social media expert” when you need specific tactical advice.

The best part? You can start experimenting with this right away. Next time you’re working with AI, try both approaches and see which gets you better results. Pay attention to how the AI’s responses change and adapt your approach based on what works best.