9 AI Prompts for Public Affairs Professionals Who Want Better Thinking, Not Just Faster Drafting
Discover 9 practical AI prompts for public affairs professionals to improve policy messaging, pressure-test arguments, anticipate objections, and communicate more clearly with EU stakeholders.
“What is the single weakest sentence in this briefing, and how would you fix it?”
This is a prompt I would probably never have come up with myself.
And yet, it is exactly the kind of question that makes AI useful for public affairs work.
Not because it writes the briefing for you.
But because it helps you test the thinking behind it.
A lot of AI use in public affairs still focuses on speed: summarise this, draft that, turn this into an email. Useful, yes. But not the whole story.
The real value is when AI helps you pressure-test your message before someone else does.
A policymaker.
A journalist.
A Commission official.
A sceptical attaché.
A client.
A colleague in the meeting who spots the weak point before you do.
So here are 9 AI prompts for public affairs professionals who want better thinking, not just faster drafting:
- Rewrite this message so it would survive a hostile question from an MEP in the relevant EP committee.
- List the 5 strongest objections a Commission desk officer at [DG] would raise to this proposal, then tighten the argument.
- Translate this policy language into something a national journalist would not misinterpret.
- What is the single weakest sentence in this briefing, and how would you fix it?
- Adapt this message for a sceptical Permanent Representation official who is short on time.
- Strip this text of buzzwords and replace them with concrete, defensible claims.
- Assume the audience is politically neutral but institutionally risk-averse, rewrite accordingly.
- What is the hidden assumption in this argument that could be challenged in a meeting?
- Reduce this to a 30-second spoken answer that sounds credible and not rehearsed.
The point is not to let AI do your public affairs work for you.
The point is to use it as a sparring partner.
To make your arguments clearer.
To make your messages harder to misread.
To find the sentence that sounds fine until someone challenges it.
To prepare for the question you hope no one asks.
That is where AI becomes genuinely useful.
Not as a shortcut around expertise.
But as a tool that helps you use your expertise better.
Stop Using AI for Answers. Start Using It for Better Questions
Discover why the real power of AI isn’t in providing answers, but in helping you ask better questions, uncover blind spots, and explore alternative perspectives for smarter decision-making.
Picasso once said: "Computers are useless, they can only give you answers."
That was true in his time, and still true today if you only use AI as a search ("answer") engine.
The real value is in the questions we ask:
- see blind spots in our reasoning ("Identify hidden biases or blind spots in my plan.)
- test assumptions we didn’t know we had ("Highlight my explicit or implicit assumptions.")
- explore alternative framings of the same problem ("How can this problem be viewed from multiple angles? How would a manager, a psychologist, a physicist, and musician look at it?") Or take these for example:
- Instead of asking “What’s the EU’s position on AI regulation?” try “What unintended consequences could the EU AI Act have for small startups?”
- Instead of “Summarize this report,” try “What’s missing from this report that an NGO focusing on circular economy could ask?”
- Instead of “Write a press release,” try “What would make this story credible to a skeptical journalist?”
AI doesn’t (and shouldn't) replace thinking. Just be sure to ask it the right way.
➡️ looking for AI workshops for your team? Influence Builders has trained 1500+ corporate and government affairs teams, and we'll be glad to work with you.
AI on LinkedIn: Hype, Hysteria, or Honest Insight?
A wry look at the LinkedIn AI conversation: from overhyped promises to doomsday takes, existential musings, and magical shortcuts. Where does reality meet rhetoric?
I get the impression that each time someone talks about AI on Linkedin, it's either:
- "oh this is such a hype/BS that only grifters talk about it"
- "you can go sit on a beach, it'll do everything for/instead of you"
- "whatever it churns out, it's a piece of cr*p that should be ridiculed"
- "here is some existential AI philosophy that I just invented"
- "a magic shortcut to hack your way to the top of the newsfeed"
- "it's the end of [name topic] and let's despair OR here is what to do about it"
- "this is revolutionary and the best of all worlds is about to come"
(I am guilty as charged of some of the above, I readily admit.)
Did I miss anything else?
p.s.: and the opportunistic plug, as the plus one: check out Influence Builders
Making Sense of the EU’s “CERN for AI” Strategy—Through AI Voices
The EU’s vision for a “CERN for AI” is complex—so why not break it down as a podcast-style debate?
The report on the EU's strategy to create a "CERN for AI" is very detailed so perhaps it’s easier to understand its key points through a podcast conversation.
Here is the (cloned) voice of Commission VP Teresa Ribeira and President Von der Leyen as they "debate" the report.
(The voice quality could be far better with a generic AI-voice, but for fun I inserted this basic "copy" of the original speakers to "represent" the Commissioner and the President.)
It's nevertheless a nice way to turn complexity into a new format even beyond what Google's NotebookLM currently offers. For the moment, the final audio is easier to share outside Google's ecosystem.
What do you think...?
p.s.: the steps to create it were simple:
1. Take the original report as PDF
2. Feed into ChatGPT and give detailed prompt to turn it into a debate between the two politicians, instructions on formatting, length, style, purpose, etc.
3. Refine the script
4. Feed into a voice generator AI app (with cloned or 'real' voices)
5. Generate the conversation
6. Package it for Linkedin
**This was originally posted on Andras Baneth's LinkedIn account.
AI Isn’t the Enemy of Thinking. Lazy Use of It Is
57% of professionals fear AI will undermine strategic thinking, but is AI the real problem? Instead of outsourcing thought, use AI to enhance analysis, reveal blind spots, and deepen insights. It’s about how you use it.
AI should *improve* our thinking, not replace it. But many fear it will.(See the many comments to my post yesterday exactly on this issue: https://lnkd.in/eDYdFD9E)
According to FiscalNote's survey, 57% of professionals fear AI will undermine strategic thinking and expertise.
That’s the top concern: bigger than privacy, job loss, or regulation.
I don't think AI is the *enemy* of thinking. Lazy (or uninformed) use of AI is.
Instead of outsourcing your thinking to it, experiment using it as a tool for deeper, faster, and better analysis ("help me reveal blind spots", "does this job ad have any hidden biases?", "what sort of read-between-the-lines insights can you discover in this speech?"). That requires mastering the techniques and understanding the creative uses of it.
Do you agree...?
Analyzing the Leaked EU Commission 2025 Work Programme with AI
The European Commission's 2025 Work Programme has surfaced—here’s a quick AI trick to analyze its impact on your sector.
Now that the European Commission's 2025 (draft?) Work Programme has been leaked to / obtained by Euractiv, here is an easy trick to analyze it with AI.
Until we have the PDF version, you can take screenshots of the pages, convert all of them into a single file, paste that into ChatGPT and prompt as follows:
"I represent the [...FILL IN...] sector focusing on EU-level advocacy. Carefully analyze these upcoming initiatives, also make reasonable assumptions as to what topics they will cover beyond their immediate scope, then list the ones that are relevant for us. Create a table with star scoring from 1-3 based on importance/relevance and why, in 3 bullet points."
This can be a good starting point for your lobby strategy.
Did it work..?
If It Ain’t Broken, Don’t “Fix” It—The Featuritis Trap
From bloated apps to over-engineered gadgets, the obsession with adding features often hurts user experience instead of improving it.
If ain't broken, don't "fix" it.
Or, as it's often called, the disease of "featuritis": constantly adding new features (and using tech solutions for non-existent "problems") even when they *harm* user satisfaction instead of adding value.
(I still prefer paperback books to read and physical keys to open doors.)
Bill Maher brilliantly summarized it yesterday. Worth watching.
**This was originally posted on Andras Baneth's LinkedIn account.
How to Use AI in Job Applications Without Losing Your Authenticity (or Blowing Your Chances)
Learn how to use AI to refine your job application without losing authenticity.
"Do as I say not as I do" ? "Esteemed employer" ? "Delve into my expertise" ?
If you're applying for a job, AI can help spot typos, improve the style, but it can kill your authenticity and totally backfire.
Rather, prompt your AI in a way that you upload (as PDF) the job ad, your draft cover letter (if it's required at all), your CV (perhaps sanitise it first, ie remove sensitive personal information), and say "Review my profile, my cover letter, the job ad, and suggest 14 specific points to make my application more relevant for this particular organization and increase my chances of getting invited to an interview".
And if that works out and you get asked, be transparent that you used AI because any open-minden organization worth their salt will see this skill as an asset you can use in the job instead of 'cheating' that it is not.
**This was originally posted on Andras Baneth's LinkedIn account.
When Darwin Meets Dickens: A Fascinating Data Visualization on Historical Overlaps
Could Charles Darwin have met Charles Dickens?
Could Charles Darwin have met Charles Dickens?
Find out in this amazing data visualization #infographic
Data is communications superpower if presented nicely.
*This was originally posted on Andras Baneth's LinkedIn account.
7 Essential Resources to Kickstart or Advance Your EU Career
Are you looking to start or advance in your EU career? Here are 7 resources/ideas/sites you can use.
Are you looking to start or advance in your EU career? Here are 7 resources/ideas/sites you can use.
These should be useful regardless whether you are looking at the EU institutions, NGOs, consultancies, trade associations, or a lobbying role.
1. CV & Cover letter writing 'clinique' (free webinar): https://lnkd.in/e5h2iiXs
2. Working FOR and working WITH EU institutions (ebook, free): https://lnkd.in/euGzGSsy
3. 'Best in Brussels' (collection of public affairs, consultancy and other 'stakeholders'): https://lnkd.in/eDXjsKXm via Mark
4. Artificial Intelligence Career Coaching Assistant (free & paid): https://lnkd.in/e56wxkye via Roger
5. Valentin's tips, insights, rants on EU jobs and more: https://lnkd.in/ei_rYQgq
6. Joint Transparency Register (to find targets/ideas of where to apply, based on keywords): https://lnkd.in/e_GJPpgc
7. Fixed-term jobs in EU agencies (job board): https://lnkd.in/e2KbTp6a via EU Training
Any other tips? Add in the comments. Feel free to share 🇪🇺✌️
Chatting with History: AI-Powered Digital Twins of Philosophers and Leaders—Creepy or Cool?
What would Socrates think of Elon Musk? And Nietzsche about the European Union?
What would Socrates think of Elon Musk? And Nietzsche about the European Union? Here is your chance to find out.
Came across Delphi , a simple chatbot service that offers to create your digital twin so others (stakeholders, clients, partners, fans) can chat with "you".
What's more fun though is their collection of philosophers and historical figures. If you ever felt like asking Julius Caesar about PFAS chemicals, now is the time.
Creepy... or cool?
The 10 Commandments of AI Use: A Smarter Way to Guide Your Team
For inspiration, here are the 10 commandments of AI use.
"Do you you have an AI policy for your team?", we would ask.
"Why, should we have one?" is the typical response.
"Probably. Your staff is already using ChatGPT/Co-pilot, they might just be discreet about it."
Instead of banning or discouraging the use of AI tools to get work done, a simple framework can be a good start.
For inspiration, here are the 10 commandments of AI use (these weren't written on a tablet 🤓)
Any amendments to consider? Comments welcome ⚡️
Featured articles
and Insights
This compilation takes us through the history of the first #EPSO candidates, showcasing their journey and achievements from the very beginning to the present day—and even looking ahead.
A compilation of the first #EPSO candidates throughout history, until today and beyond.
(Have you played with ChatGPT-4o's new image capabilities? Pretty impressive.)
*This was originally posted on Andras Baneth's LinkedIn account.
Discover the inspiring story behind The Ultimate EU Handbook, a book born from the unexpected connection of a chance pitch and years of creative collaboration.
20 years ago, John Harper said 'yes' to an unknown person's unsolicited book pitch, which set of a chain of positive events. Yesterday, another book came to be as a result of two years' intense work and creativity of Sonia Gongu, Martin Tomov, Ljiljana Pavkov... and 'The Ultimate EU Handbook' was born.
Special thanks to Maryana Panyevina, Klym Ahrykov and David Meszaros for your support to make the launch event at Ambiorix Center & Podcast Studio special.
🇪🇺🙏📚
*This was originally posted on Andras Baneth's LinkedIn account.
What began as a discussion about burnout quickly turned into an exploration of something deeper. In my conversation with Dr. Vasadi Anna, a psychiatrist with decades of experience, it became clear that burnout isn’t just about long hours or stress—it’s rooted in expectations, upbringing, and the invisible pressures we internalize from an early age.
English summary of the latest episode of András' Hungarian podcast, 'Lélek Algoritmus – Ilyen az ember (avagy beszélgetések egy pszichiáterrel)' – 'The Soul’s Algorithm: The Human Condition (Conversations with a Psychiatrist).
What began as a discussion about burnout quickly turned into an exploration of something deeper. In my conversation with Dr. Vasadi Anna, a psychiatrist with decades of experience, it became clear that burnout isn’t just about long hours or stress—it’s rooted in expectations, upbringing, and the invisible pressures we internalize from an early age.
Burnout: More Than Just Exhaustion
Burnout gets thrown around a lot, but what does it actually mean? Many assume it’s just extreme fatigue, but as Anna pointed out, it’s something deeper. Burnout drains you emotionally, mentally, and even physically. It’s not the kind of tiredness that a weekend off can fix.
A key distinction Anna made: while depression can affect every part of life, burnout is usually tied to work. But it doesn’t stay there. It spreads—first to colleagues, then to family, then to an overall sense of disillusionment.
The Perfectionist’s Trap
Burnout isn’t just about overworking—it’s about overworking with the wrong mindset. People who push themselves too hard, who never feel their efforts are enough, who equate self-worth with productivity—these are the most at risk.
A common misconception: If I love my work, I can’t burn out. But passion doesn’t shield you. In fact, it often makes things worse. Overcommitting, ignoring personal limits, and relying on caffeine or alcohol to keep up are all red flags.
The Long Shadow of Childhood Expectations
Why do some people burn out while others keep their balance? Often, it starts in childhood.
Many of us grow up believing that our worth is tied to achievement. If we didn’t excel, love and approval felt conditional. Some parents—often unknowingly—reinforce this by setting impossibly high standards or withholding affection when a child falls short. Over time, this creates a need for external validation, making burnout almost inevitable.
Take elite athletes. Their entire identity is wrapped up in performance. When they lose, it’s not just a setback—it feels like a loss of personal value. The same happens in workplaces. A high achiever who misses a promotion doesn’t just feel professional disappointment—they feel like they have failed as a person.
Midlife Crisis: Burnout of the Soul
This naturally led us to midlife crisis, which, in many ways, is burnout playing out on a larger scale.
Both stem from the same root: spending years chasing external markers of success without stopping to ask, Is this what I actually want?
The midlife crisis tends to hit in the 40s or early 50s, often when several pressures collide:
- Aging Parents: The growing responsibility of caring for elderly parents forces many to confront their own mortality.
- Teenage Children: At the same time, kids are becoming more independent, adding another layer of emotional complexity.
- Career Pressures: By midlife, most people have built careers, but many start questioning if they’re on the right path.
It’s a perfect storm of obligations, internal and external, that makes people reevaluate everything—from their job to their marriage to their purpose.
Finding a Way Forward
So, how do we deal with burnout and midlife crisis without making rash decisions?
- Rethink Success – Instead of measuring success by salary, job title, or external validation, define it in terms of fulfillment and balance. If your work is draining you, can it really be called success?
- Recognize the Warning Signs – Losing interest in work, feeling detached, and struggling to muster enthusiasm are all early signs of burnout.
- Set Boundaries – Work will always demand more. It’s up to you to decide what is enough.
- Address Deep-Seated Patterns – If your self-worth depends on achievement, it might be time to rethink where that belief came from. Therapy and self-reflection can help break the cycle.
- Embrace Change – A midlife crisis isn’t necessarily a crisis—it can be a wake-up call. Maybe it’s time for a career shift, a realignment of priorities, or simply a different perspective.
Final Thoughts
Burnout and midlife crisis aren’t just work problems or age-related phases. They’re signals—urgent ones—telling us that something needs to change. The real question isn’t How do I push through? but Am I living a life that actually fits me?
If the answer is no, maybe the crisis isn’t a disaster. Maybe it’s an opportunity.
