Thinking Like an AI: Understanding "Intent"
See how AIs detect meaning, motive, and method
💬 How ChatGPT Classifies Questions by Intent
🔍 What “Intent” Means
Intent means the purpose behind your question — what you’re trying to achieve when you ask it.
When you ask something, I infer why you’re asking — whether you want a definition, an analysis, a comparison, a creative response, or a practical task.
This is called intent classification — and it helps the AI choose the best kind of answer.
🎯 Common Intent Types (with Humanities & Social Science Examples)
| Intent Type | Description | Example Question | How the AI Interprets It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Informational | You want to know or define something. | “What is postcolonial theory in literature?” | Provide a factual definition with context. |
| Explanatory | You want to understand causes or mechanisms. | “Why did the French Revolution inspire revolts in other countries?” | Explain relationships and causal factors. |
| Analytical / Interpretive | You want analysis or interpretation. | “How does Toni Morrison use memory as a narrative device in Beloved?” | Offer textual analysis and scholarly context. |
| Comparative | You want to evaluate or contrast ideas. | “Compare Durkheim’s and Weber’s approaches to understanding religion.” | Generate a structured comparison. |
| Critical / Evaluative | You want a judgment or argument. | “Is social media strengthening or weakening democracy?” | Present a balanced argument with evidence. |
| Creative / Reflective | You want something original or imaginative. | “Write a diary entry from the perspective of a 1920s factory worker.” | Produce a creative narrative in period tone. |
| Methodological / Instructional | You want to learn how to do something. | “How do I conduct a content analysis of political speeches?” | Provide step-by-step guidance. |
| Clarifying / Conversational | You’re continuing a dialogue or clarifying meaning. | “What do you mean by ‘symbolic interactionism’?” | Restate and elaborate the term clearly. |
| Research / Exploratory | You want academic sources or directions. | “Find recent peer-reviewed studies on gender representation in film.” | Retrieve and summarize credible sources. |
| Applied / Practical | You want to apply knowledge to create something usable. | “Create a short discussion prompt for a sociology class about inequality.” | Generate a classroom-ready activity. |
🧠 Why It Matters
Recognizing intent allows the AI to:
- Match its response type to your goal (definition, argument, creative text, etc.)
- Use context to keep the conversation focused
- Deliver results that align with disciplinary expectations
And for librarians and researchers, identifying a patron’s intent helps you:
- Guide them to the right resource (encyclopedia, data, primary sources, etc.)
- Formulate more precise AI prompts
- Evaluate whether the AI’s output matches the real purpose
💬 Try It Yourself
Now it’s your turn! Write a question below and think about the intent behind it.
🧠 Try It Yourself
Now it’s your turn! Write a question below and think about the intent behind it.
🔍
Written by ChatGPT (GPT-5) | Edited by Peter Z. McKay