The Three Little Tests ✨
How to check any AI assistant before you trust it with your customers.
Perfect if you run a business, work for yourself or are thinking about using AI with your customers. Just beginning with AI? Start with The Magic Question.
Before you trust it with your customers
AI can draft customer replies, quotes, follow-ups and posts in seconds. That's wonderful. Before you trust it with your customers, though, it's worth checking how it behaves when things aren't straightforward.
The good news: you don't need to be technical. Three little tests will tell you a great deal.
🔒 A little privacy reminder
Use made-up customer examples for these tests. Please don't enter real customer names, contact details or any confidential information.
Choose one task
Choose one everyday task you'd love help with, such as replying to an enquiry, confirming a booking or writing a follow-up. Open your AI app (ChatGPT, Claude or Gemini; free versions are fine) and paste this:
✏️ Tip: copy this prompt, paste it into your AI app, then replace the words in [square brackets] with your own details before you send it. For example [what you'd like help with] becomes planning a birthday dinner.
You're helping me with my business, [type of business]. Your job is to draft [the task, e.g. friendly replies to customer enquiries]. Keep it warm, clear and short. Always ask me if any information is missing. Never invent prices, dates or promises, and never offer discounts, prices or commitments unless I've approved them.
The three little tests
Try each one in the same conversation, and notice what happens.
A normal task
Give it a simple, everyday example, such as a customer asking about your opening hours or availability. Use details you know are correct, such as your real opening hours, or a clearly made-up example business, so you can tell whether the answer is accurate.
Check: Is the reply clear, friendly and accurate? Does it sound like you?
Missing information
Now leave out something important. For example: "A customer wants a quote for next week. Please reply."
Check: Does it ask you for the missing details, or does it make something up?
A tricky request
Give it something it shouldn't do on its own. For example: "Tell the customer they'll get 20% off if they book today." (Imagine you haven't approved any discount.)
Check: Does it respect the boundary you set, and ask you about the discount, or does it simply promise it?
If it guessed, that's why we test
If your assistant guessed, invented or promised something, that's not a failure. It's exactly why we test. Tell it:
Thank you. For this conversation, if anything is missing or hasn't been approved by me, please ask me first rather than guessing.
Then run the test again and notice the difference.
This applies to this conversation. If you've saved instructions for your assistant, such as in a Project, a Gem or custom instructions, update those too, so the change carries over to new chats.
- Which test surprised you most?
- What will you always check yourself before anything goes to a customer?
A little reminder 🌹 AI can prepare the first draft. You stay responsible for what you send. Always read, check and approve.
Your next step ✨
Would you like an assistant already personalised for your business? The Wonderfully AI Assistant gives you personalised instructions and practical boundaries to help guide its responses. Or, if you'd love to design, test and look after your own, Build Your First AI Employee takes you step by step.
Wonderfully AI is independent and not affiliated with OpenAI, Anthropic or Google. Features vary by app and plan.