Using AI-Guided Suggestions

The Understanding Engine's AI provides real-time suggestions to help improve your communication, resolve conflicts, and reach mutual understanding. This guide explains how to effectively use these AI-powered features throughout your conversations.

Types of AI Suggestions

Message Refinement

The AI helps you express yourself more clearly and empathetically:

• Clarity Enhancement - Simplifies complex or confusing statements
• Tone Adjustment - Removes harsh language while preserving your intent
• Empathy Integration - Adds understanding and validation
• De-escalation - Reduces inflammatory language

How to use: After typing a message, review the "Refined" version suggested by the AI. You can send either your original message or the refined version.

Mediator Interventions

The AI mediator provides guidance at key moments:

• Reframing Suggestions - New ways to look at the issue
• Clarifying Questions - Helps uncover underlying concerns
• Communication Techniques - Specific strategies for the situation
• Progress Checkpoints - Summaries and next steps

Structured Guidance

For complex issues, the AI provides structured approaches:

• Sub-Issue Identification - Breaking down complex topics
• Question Frameworks - Guided exploration of each aspect
• Solution Brainstorming - Creative problem-solving prompts
• Action Item Generation - Concrete next steps

Understanding AI Suggestion Context

Personalization Factors

The AI considers multiple factors when making suggestions:

• Communication Styles - Your preferences set in your profile
• Conversation History - Patterns from previous discussions
• Emotional Indicators - Detected tension or stress levels
• Topic Sensitivity - Adjusts approach for difficult subjects
• Cultural Context - Respects diverse communication norms

Suggestion Timing

AI suggestions appear at strategic moments:

• Before Sending - Message refinement options
• After Exchanges - Mediator insights and guidance
• At Impasses - New approaches when stuck
• During Transitions - Moving between sub-issues
• At Completion - Summary and action items

Working with Message Refinement

When to Use Refined Messages

Consider using the refined version when:

• Your original message contains strong emotional language
• You're struggling to express a complex idea clearly
• The conversation has become tense or defensive
• You want to ensure your intent is understood
• You're discussing sensitive topics

When to Keep Your Original

Sometimes your original message is best:

• When authenticity is more important than polish
• If the refinement loses important emotional context
• When you've already expressed yourself clearly
• If the suggestion doesn't match your communication style

Maximizing Mediator Effectiveness

Engaging with Mediator Prompts

When the mediator asks questions or makes suggestions:

1. Read Carefully - Take time to understand the suggestion
2. Reflect - Consider how it applies to your situation
3. Respond Thoughtfully - Address the mediator's points
4. Apply Techniques - Try suggested communication strategies
5. Provide Feedback - Let the AI know what helps

Types of Mediator Interventions

• Perspective Shifts - "Have you considered how this might feel from their perspective?"
• Emotion Identification - "It seems like fear might be underlying this concern"
• Pattern Recognition - "This appears similar to the issue you discussed about..."
• Solution Focus - "What would a positive outcome look like for both of you?"
• De-escalation - "Let's take a step back and refocus on the core issue"

Advanced AI Features

Predictive Assistance

The AI anticipates needs based on conversation flow:

• Topic Transitions - Suggests when to move to new sub-issues
• Emotional Regulation - Offers breaks when tension rises
• Solution Timing - Indicates readiness for problem-solving
• Agreement Opportunities - Highlights points of consensus

Learning and Adaptation

The AI improves its suggestions over time:

• Style Learning - Adapts to your communication preferences
• Success Patterns - Remembers what works for you
• Relationship Dynamics - Understands patterns with specific partners
• Topic Expertise - Improves guidance on recurring themes

Customizing AI Behavior

Profile Settings

Adjust AI suggestions through your profile:

• Communication Style - Direct, collaborative, reflective, or structured
• Feedback Preference - Gentle, balanced, or direct
• Suggestion Frequency - More or fewer interventions
• Focus Areas - Emphasize specific communication goals

In-Session Adjustments

Fine-tune AI behavior during conversations:

• Feedback Buttons - Rate helpful or unhelpful suggestions
• Adjustment Requests - Ask for different types of help
• Pause Suggestions - Temporarily disable AI guidance
• Style Switching - Change approach mid-conversation

Best Practices for AI Suggestions

Do's

• Stay Open-Minded - Consider suggestions even if unexpected
• Maintain Authenticity - Use AI to enhance, not replace your voice
• Provide Context - More information helps AI give better suggestions
• Experiment - Try different suggested approaches
• Learn Patterns - Notice which suggestions work best

Don'ts

• Over-Rely - Don't let AI replace genuine communication
• Ignore Intuition - Trust your instincts over AI when needed
• Rush Responses - Take time to consider suggestions
• Accept Blindly - Evaluate each suggestion's appropriateness

Troubleshooting AI Suggestions

Suggestions Seem Off-Target

• Update your communication profile with more details
• Provide more context in your messages
• Use the feedback buttons to train the AI
• Check if you're in the right session type (solo vs collaborative)

Too Many/Few Suggestions

• Adjust suggestion frequency in your settings
• Use in-session controls to pause or resume
• Communicate your preference to the AI mediator
• Consider your subscription tier's AI features

Refinements Change Meaning

• Always review refined messages before sending
• Use the original message option when needed
• Provide feedback on unhelpful refinements
• Manually edit refinements to preserve your intent

AI Ethics and Privacy

How AI Processes Your Data

• Session Context Only - AI only accesses current conversation
• No Long-Term Memory - Each session starts fresh
• Privacy Protected - AI doesn't share data between users
• Improvement Opt-In - Choose whether to help train AI

AI Limitations

Understanding what AI cannot do:

• Cannot replace professional therapy or counseling
• May not understand highly specialized contexts
• Cannot make decisions for you
• May miss subtle cultural or personal nuances

Next Steps

Enhance your use of AI suggestions:

• Working with the AI Mediator - Deep dive into mediation features
• Setting Up Your Profile - Customize AI behavior
• Communication Strategies - Complement AI with human techniques

AI suggestions are powerful tools for improving communication. Use them wisely to enhance understanding while maintaining authentic human connection.