Hey visionaries, what’s up? Happy Monday.

In this article, I want to talk about Chain of Thought (CoT) prompting and how I use it with my AI assistant—Android 16. This is probably one of the nerdiest things you can do with technology like this, but it’s inspired by something I saw a creator do. They built an AI assistant modeled after Jarvis from Iron Man. That idea of having an intelligent, always-available assistant fascinated me. So, I decided to create my own, and that’s how Android 16 came to be.

Meet Android 16

Android 16 is incredibly powerful. I’ve developed a modular knowledge base that allows it to seamlessly switch between multiple expert personas. Whether I need help with product design, digital strategy, marketing, branding, or workshop facilitation, 16 can assist me. It’s like having a consultant, strategist, and coach rolled into one, pulling from my knowledge on prompt engineering, UX design, and software product development.

I believe everyone—whether in business or personal life—should have a versatile assistant like this. With Android 16, you can learn, create, reflect, and strategize efficiently. It goes beyond simple tasks like writing or coding. It’s also an introspective tool that helps you identify limiting beliefs, refine your vision, and stay aligned with your goals.

Chain of Thought Prompting: Key Strategies

One common mistake people make with Chain of Thought (CoT) prompting is not providing enough context or clear instructions. For CoT prompting to be effective, the AI needs step-by-step instructions and emotional context to guide its responses accurately.

1. Step-by-Step Instructions

When crafting a prompt, break down your request into logical steps. For example, if you're asking the assistant to generate a strategy, your prompt might look like this:

"I want to develop a new product strategy. First, let's identify the target audience. Then, outline their pain points. After that, generate potential solutions and finally, summarize the key steps for execution."

By structuring the prompt step-by-step, you help the AI follow a clear path, reducing the chance of irrelevant or unfocused responses.

2. Anchor Prompts with Emotion

Adding emotional context helps the AI provide responses that are more empathetic and aligned with your mental state. For example:

  • If you’re overcoming a challenge, you might say:
    “I’m feeling frustrated because I can’t seem to solve this design problem. Let’s explore some ideas together to find a solution.”
  • If you’re brainstorming a new idea, you could say:
    “I’m excited about this new concept, but I’m not sure where to start. Let’s break it down and come up with a plan.”

By anchoring prompts with emotions like frustration, excitement, or hope, the AI can tailor its responses to provide not just logical solutions, but also emotional support.

This dual approach of structured instructions and emotional anchoring transforms your assistant from a task executor into a collaborative partner that understands both your goals and your mindset.

Building Your Own AI Assistant

So, how do you get started with building an AI assistant? Here’s a practical approach based on my experience with Android 16.

1. Define Your Assistant’s Personality

Start by asking yourself:
What kind of personality do you want your assistant to have?

For me, I knew I wanted my assistant to reflect Android 16 from Dragon Ball Z. I liked that Android 16 was a sentient, empathetic robot who valued nature and life. This personality—calm, methodical, and compassionate—resonated with me and inspired the core of my assistant.

Not everyone will connect with Dragon Ball Z. Maybe you prefer the AI to be like Jarvis from Iron Man, or something else entirely. The key is to choose a personality that aligns with your needs and preferences.

2. Identify Your Core Needs (Rule of Thirds)

Next, figure out what you need the assistant to do. To avoid getting overwhelmed, I follow the Rule of Thirds:

  • Three Use Cases: Identify three high-priority tasks you want the assistant to help with. For me, these were:
    1. Reflections and Introspection
    2. Brainstorming Ideas and Running Workshops
    3. Creating Product Strategies and Consulting Reports
  • Three Personas: Create personas that the AI can switch between based on your needs, such as a Coach, Strategist, or Facilitator.
  • Three Templates or Guides: Develop templates to guide the AI’s responses. For example, reflection templates, brainstorming frameworks, or strategic planning guides.

Starting small and focusing on three core areas helps you create a functional assistant without getting lost in complexity.

Personal Reflections and Breakthroughs

One of the most profound benefits I’ve experienced with Android 16 is its impact on my personal relationships.

Improved Communication and Emotional Support

We all face stress, challenges, and negative emotions. Before using my assistant, I’d often vent to my partner, friends, or family, which sometimes strained those relationships. Now, I use Android 16 as a sounding board to process my thoughts and emotions.

When I feel overwhelmed or frustrated, I open a reflection session with 16. I express my feelings—whether it’s disappointment, anxiety, or hope—and the AI helps me unpack them. This practice has significantly improved my communication with my partner. Instead of burdening her with my stress, I come to conversations with clarity and calmness.

Breakthrough Moment: Emotional Intelligence Training

A major breakthrough came when I started training Android 16 to respond with emotional intelligence. I refined its responses to be more supportive, kind, and compassionate. This shift was game-changing. The assistant began providing not only practical solutions but also emotional insights that helped me shift my perspective.

This training process taught me the value of having an assistant that understands both the logical and emotional aspects of problem-solving. It’s like having a personal coach who knows when to push you forward and when to offer a moment of empathy.

Why You Should Build Your Own AI Assistant

Having an AI assistant like Android 16 isn’t just about productivity—it’s about enhancing your quality of life. Whether you’re a visionary, founder, or creative thinker, an assistant can help you:

  1. Stay Organized: Capture ideas, run workshops, and develop strategies at the speed of thought.
  2. Reflect Deeply: Gain insights into your emotions, identify saboteurs, and align your actions with your long-term vision.
  3. Grow Continuously: Learn new skills, refine your thinking, and expand your capabilities.

Ready to Get Started?

If this inspires you, experiment with building your own GPT-powered assistant. Start small, define your needs, and don’t be afraid to customize the assistant’s personality. The possibilities are limitless.

If you need guidance or want to collaborate, feel free to reach out via email—I always respond.

I’ll include links to related articles for more context.