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
A Simple EUGPT Trick
A simple #EUGPT trick to quickly summarize an EU regulation.
A simple #EUGPT trick to quickly summarize an EU regulation.
1) Take Fabian Bohnenberger's excellent summary on 'How to read an EU law' to instruct the GPT (see link below)
2) Take an EU regulation, e.g. the one fighting deforestation, and download the PDF version on Eur-Lex
3) Use perplexity.ai and upload the PDF (you can upload a document even in the free version) - you can of course do the same in #chatGPT (paid version)
4) Prompt it as follows: "Take this post: https://lnkd.in/eyNiWzEH and use its advice to interpret the EU law I attached. Then please summarize the regulation in 25 bullets based on the approach described in the above article."
5) Enjoy & share these tips with those who may need it ✌️
(Interested in more tips? Jacques & I will soon be offering #chatGPT workshops for public affairs & communications professionals)
Maximizing ChatGPT in EU Advocacy: Key Considerations
Here are 5 considerations to keep in mind when using #chatGPT for #EUGPT.
In EU advocacy & public affairs circles I see a lot of cynicism and scepticism about GPTs' usefulness. Some come from lack of understanding how GPTs work, limited knowledge of how effective prompting looks like, or not being familiar with this tool's true capabilities. Some may be due to fear. And some are legitimate because it's an evolving technology that may not (yet) be able to deliver an output you expect.
To challenge this, here are 5 considerations to keep in mind when using #chatGPT for #EUGPT.
1. Ego vs. curiosity: ignoring ChatGPT or trying it just to bemoan its flaws is a fast track to becoming professionally irrelevant. Keep an open mind and explore/experiment with its vast capabilities.
2. Problems vs. solutions: ChatGPT isn’t a solution in search of a problem. It’s a powerful tool to apply it where it can make a real difference. You need to have the *imagination* to leverage it for uses that you'd never have thought was possible.
3. Practical ethics: The use of ChatGPT is full of ethical dilemmas even in an everyday context. Should I input personal characteristics or my impressions of an EU official or MEP into a ChatGPT prompt to get its "opinion" on how a lobby proposal would be received, or to personalize a message to make it more relevant for that person?
4. Static vs. dynamic system: Unlike any traditional (static) algorthytm that produces predictable outputs (based on the architecture of binary code), ChatGPT is dynamic. Its responses greatly depend on how you design/frame your prompt, meaning the same query can lead to vastly different answers.
As we realized at our #EUGPT workshop yesterday: right now, ChatGPT in the EU bubble is a bit like online dating was around 2010: many people tried it, most didn't get anything out of it, and those who found their happiness through it wouldn't feel comfortable telling others that they did.(Looking to make ChatGPT work smarter for you in #communications, #publicaffairs, or #advocacy?
Follow me & Jacques for tips and get in touch if you need a hands-on workshop for your team.)
Make Your Application Stand Out
EU job seekers: make your application stand out by following these steps.
EU job seekers: make your application stand out by following these steps.
1) Make your LinkedIn profile as robust as possible, and/or create a comprehensive CV/resume in PDF, or #Europass CV in Word
2) If your CV is in PDF, use Smallpdf.com to convert it into Word to remove your personal data like your date of birth, phone number or other sensitive info. You can immediately convert it back into PDF.
3) Go to ChatGPT, look for "Explore GPTs" and find one of the PDF reader tools (e.g. PDF AI PDF or any other) [note: you might need to upgrade to GPT-4 for $20] or check Smallpdf.com's AI reader, Google's Gemini or any of the countless tools out there
4) Upload the PDF into the above tool
5) Input a prompt along the lines of "Analyze my resume in the attached PDF. Give me 10 specific ideas on what to change or update or edit in it considering the following position I am applying for: [the Chief Spokesperson of the European Commission in 2024]. The main job requirements are [copy from the vacancy announcement: X, Y, Z]".
6) Input another prompt: "Based on my profile and expertise, assume my professional style and draft a short and effective cover letter that highlights how my background and knowledge can contribute to the job (avoid just listing or highlighting my assets, and avoid jargon or superlatives). Make sure the cover letter is not longer than 5 paragraphs."
7) If you get invited for an interview, repeat the above and add a prompt saying "Generate 10 questions I can expect at the job interview based on my profile, 10 more questions that are challenging or difficult to answer related to my background, and 10 questions related to the job in question."
8) Practice.
9) If you get the job, let's go for a beer to celebrate 🍺
UPDATE: as Natacha pointed out, don't consider the edits/draft suggested by the AI as 'the' final product. It has to be yours, and genuine. #ethics
EU Job Seekers: Make Your Application Stand Out
EU job seekers: make your application stand out by following these steps.
EU job seekers: make your application stand out following these steps.
1) Make your Linkedin profile as robust as possible, and/or create a comprehensive CV/resume in PDF, or #Europass CV in Word.
2) If your CV is in PDF, use Smallpdf.com to convert it into Word to remove your personal data like your date of birth, phone number, or other sensitive info. You can immediately convert it back into PDF.
3) Go to ChatGPT, look for "Explore GPTs" and find one of the PDF reader tools (e.g., PDF AI PDF or any other) [note: you might need to upgrade to GPT-4 for $20] or check Smallpdf.com's AI reader, Google's Gemini, or any of the countless tools out there.
4) Upload the PDF into the above tool.
5) Input a prompt along the lines of "Analyze my resume in the attached PDF. Give me 10 specific ideas on what to change or update or edit in it considering the following position I am applying for: [the Chief Spokesperson of the European Commission in 2024]. The main job requirements are [copy from the vacancy announcement: X, Y, Z]."
6) Input another prompt: "Based on my profile and expertise, assume my professional style and draft a short and effective cover letter that highlights how my background and knowledge can contribute to the job (avoid just listing or highlighting my assets, and avoid jargon or superlatives). Make sure the cover letter is not longer than 5 paragraphs."
7) If you get invited for an interview, repeat the above and add a prompt saying "Generate 10 questions I can expect at the job interview based on my profile, 10 more questions that are challenging or difficult to answer related to my background, and 10 questions related to the job in question."
8) Practice.
9) If you get the job, let's go for a beer to celebrate 🍺
UPDATE: as Natacha pointed out, don't consider the edits/draft suggested by the AI as 'the' final product. It has to be yours, and genuine.
GPT Prompts
Webinar training for EU public affairs pros coming soon.
This can impact your GPT #prompts, too. Talk to “it” as if it were a human helper. Webinar training for EU public affairs pros coming soon.
GPT Prompts
Webinar training for EU public affairs pros coming soon.
This can impact your GPT #prompts, too. Talk to “it” as if it were a human helper. Webinar training for EU public affairs pros coming soon.
Optimizing ChatGPT and Gemini in EU Public Affairs
Interested in better prompting? You're in luck.
In EU public affairs, prompting #ChatGPT or #Gemini with "give me a stakeholder list for the EU AI act" is like using an iPhone as a calculator only. Sure, it can do the job, but there are ways to harness its power in much better ways. For instance, here is a better prompt for GPT: "You are a senior consultant in EU public affairs who needs to advise its NGO client about the EU AI act. List the 10 most important government stakeholders, the 10 most important non-governmental actors, and add 10 more non-obvious yet important ones, including those who have an indirect influence on shaping the implementation of this policy. Rank each on a scale from 1-10 on how important they are for our NGO client whose main focus is privacy. I want a bulleted list, short format, easy to scan" is a far better way to prompt. Interested in better prompting? You're in luck: Jacques Foul and I are soon launching a hands-on webinar training on better prompting. Stay tuned ✌️ #EUGPT
EU GPT
In EU public affairs, prompting #ChatGPT or #Gemini with "give me a stakeholder list for the EU AI act" is like using an iPhone as a calculator only.
In EU public affairs, prompting #ChatGPT or #Gemini with "give me a stakeholder list for the EU AI act" is like using an iPhone as a calculator only. Sure, it can do the job, but there are ways to harness its power in much better ways. For instance, here is a better prompt for GPT: "You are a senior consultant in EU public affairs who needs to advise its NGO client about the EU AI act. List the 10 most important government stakeholders, the 10 most important non-governmental actors, and add 10 more non-obvious yet important ones, including those who have an indirect influence on shaping the implementation of this policy. Rank each on a scale from 1-10 on how important they are for our NGO client whose main focus is privacy. I want a bulleted list, short format, easy to scan" is a far better way to prompt. Interested in better prompting? You're in luck: Jacques Foul and I are soon launching a hands-on webinar training on better prompting. Stay tuned ✌️ #EUGPT
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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.
