AI Is a Mirror: Better Prompts, Better Results

Microsoft Innovation Podcast

Hosts: Mark Smith, Meg Smith

🎙️ FULL SHOW NOTES
https://www.microsoftinnovationpodcast.com/731
Most people treat AI like a search box, then complain when the answers feel thin. In this episode, Meg and Mark reframe AI as a conversation you practise on purpose. From a “five prompts a day” habit to stronger Custom Instructions, they show how intention, examples, and pushback turn generic outputs into useful work. You’ll also hear a practical te reo Māori learning story, why the word “should” is a red flag in voice interactions, and a calm way to choose tools without FOMO.
Join the private WhatsApp group for Q&A and community: https://chat.whatsapp.com/E0iyXcUVhpl9um7DuKLYEz
What you’ll learn
- How to build prompting skill through small, daily reps, not one-off hacks.
- How to use conversation structure (goal, audience, examples, iteration) for higher-quality outputs.
- How to set effective Custom Instructions and ask the tool to interview you first.
- How to spot weak guidance in voice mode and push back for evidence.
- How to compare models sensibly and choose depth over distraction.

Highlights
“Five prompts a day is what you should be doing.”
“They don’t come to AI with a ‘let’s have a conversation.’”
“Instead of approaching it like a one-shot conversation or a search, I thought about approaching it as a conversation with a friend.”
“AI is a mirror of who you are.”
“If you’re a lazy prompter, you’ll get lazy answers.”
“Ask me all the questions that you think you need to ask before I’m ready to create that output.”
“The word ‘should’ is what’s important here.”
“It’s very easy to say a tool sucks when you don’t use it.”
“Different tools do different things.”
“It’s still on me to make a decision with the information that I have.”
“I’m going to do one a day.”
“How lucky are we to be able to take that approach?”
Mentioned
ChatGPT Custom Instructions / “Customize GPT”
Microsoft Copilot (Custom Instructions)
Claude (Anthropic)
Gemini (Google; on-device models referenced as “Nano Banana” in the episode)
Grok (xAI)
Toastmasters
ISO standards; ANZ standards (Australia/New Zealand)
“AI: The Mirror and the Tower,” Dr Oliver Hartwich (Aug 2025) https://www.nzinitiative.org.nz/reports-and-media/opinion/ai-the-mirror-and-the-tower/
kahu.code (te reo Māori learning tools) https://chatgpt.com/g/g-wXVoS6B3c-whakawhiti-reo-kahu-code?model=gpt-4o
Show WhatsApp community (listener Q&A) https://chat.whatsapp.com/E0iyXcUVhpl9um7DuKLYEz
Video versions available on Spotify and YouTube
Connect with the hosts
Mark Smith:
Blog: https://www.nz365guy.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nz365guy

Microsoft 365 Copilot Adoption is a Microsoft Press book for leaders and consultants. It shows how to identify high-value use cases, set guardrails, enable champions, and measure impact, so Copilot sticks. Practical frameworks, checklists, and metrics you can use this month. Get the book: https://bit.ly/CopilotAdoption

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If you want to get in touch with me, you can message me here on Linkedin.
Thanks for listening 🚀 - Mark Smith

บท

1. Unlocking the Power of AI Conversations (00:00:00)

2. The Importance of Iteration in Learning AI (00:02:36)

3. Cultural Connections Through AI (00:05:39)

4. The Role of Conversation in AI Engagement (00:08:10)

5. Customizing AI for Personal Use (00:11:22)

6. Shifting Mindsets: From Search to Conversation (00:14:35)

7. Navigating AI Responses: The Importance of Context (00:17:20)

8. Integrating AI with Human Interaction (00:20:13)

9. Choosing the Right AI Tools (00:23:03)

10. Deep vs. Broad Engagement with AI Tools (00:26:04)