Compare Products Before Buying with AI

Are you torn between several devices and not sure which one to choose? An AI can help you see things more clearly, as long as you give it the right information. Let’s take the example of a robot vacuum cleaner for a 60 m² apartment.

Describe your needs

Tell the AI about your home, how you will use the device, and your constraints. The more precise you are, the more useful the answer will be.

Example request I am looking for a robot vacuum cleaner for a 60 m² apartment with [number] pets. My maximum budget is [amount] €. What matters most to me is [for example: ease of maintenance or quiet operation].

Ask for the important criteria

Before talking about models, ask the AI which criteria really matter. Then you will know what to compare.

Example request Before you tell me about specific models, what are the most important criteria for choosing a robot vacuum cleaner in my case? Explain each one in one simple sentence.

If a word is unclear, ask for an explanation. A criterion explained simply is worth more than a list of technical terms.

Compare three models in a table

Ask for a clear table, with the strengths and weaknesses of each model.

Example request Compare three robot vacuum cleaners that suit my needs in a table. Columns: model name, strengths, weaknesses, approximate price. Tell me the date of your information.

Ask for sources and check them

An AI may have outdated information, especially about prices. Ask it where its answers come from, then check them yourself.

Example request Give me the link for each piece of information you mention about the models. For each one, say whether the price comes from the seller’s website.

Click on each link. Then go to the seller’s website to check the price and availability before you buy.

Ask follow-up questions

Once you have almost made your choice, ask the AI about maintenance, parts to replace, and the warranty.

Example request For the [model name]: what maintenance does it need? Which consumable parts need replacing, and how often? What does its warranty cover, according to the manufacturer’s website?

Then check these answers on the product’s official page.

Protect your data

Never give your bank details to an AI. Avoid entering personal data, and be especially careful with sensitive data, such as health information or your opinions.

To make sure nothing slips through, ask the AI to leave [brackets] in place of your personal information. You fill in the details yourself afterward.

The CNIL also explains how to object to the reuse of your conversations to train AI: https://www.cnil.fr/fr/ia-comment-sopposer-la-reutilisation-de-ses-donnees-personnelles-entrainement-agent-conversationnel.

An AI can make mistakes or invent a plausible-sounding answer. Always reread its answers before you decide.

Good habits

• Check the price and availability on the seller’s website before you buy.
• Click on the sources cited by the AI.
• Never give your bank details.
• Avoid personal data, and replace it with [brackets].
• Reread every answer: an AI can make mistakes.