Improving Your AI IQ: Nov/Dec 2026

By Isabella Aranda Garcia Design by Virna Sandler

You love your town and you want to get more involved in the community, but taking that first step can feel daunting. That’s where a good AI prompt comes in. So for this AI IQ, we’re providing some examples that can help you turn your curiosity into action.

Your Goal: Plan an Event

You want to plan an event to bring the community together. You know there are a lot of steps, including possible permits, and you’d like a clear guide.  

The prompt:

I want to organize a [cleanup day / book swap / block party / community garden] in [insert your town]. Create a simple, beginner-friendly plan to get me started. Include: 

The first three decisions I need to make.

A list of all steps I will need to take.

A timeline for the two to four weeks before the event.

Any individuals, government departments or organizations I will need to notify, along with any permits I will need to apply for.

A basic supply list.

Ways to recruit volunteers without overwhelming people.

A rain or cancellation plan.

A sample flyer and group-text invitation.

Common mistakes to avoid. 

Clearly distinguish between steps that are generally useful and tasks I must legally accomplish through the town.

Your Goal: Volunteer

You have amazing skills and a bit of spare time each week. You want to put both to good use by giving back to your community, and you want to find volunteer opportunities that match your skills and availability.

The prompt:

I’m a [job title] who excels at [skills]. I’m typically available on [days and hours]. I’m especially interested in volunteering related to [causes/interests], and I’m open to [in-person only / remote only / both]. 

Using a web search, find 3-5 real, currently active local organizations in [towns] (or within [X] miles) that could use my skills during my available hours. For each one, provide the organization’s name, a brief description of their mission, why they’re a good match for my skills, their verified website link, and a short step-by-step outreach plan with contact information. If you can’t verify a website or contact detail with confidence, say so instead of guessing.

Your Goal: Understand a Town Proposal

You read about a new town proposal on Facebook, and some of the claims seem outlandish. You want to know if what your neighbors are claiming is actually true.

The prompt:

Claims: [include exact wording / name]

Source: [URL / publication / account / meeting / person]

Location: [town, county, state] 

Date/meeting: [date or “unknown”]

Fact-check this claim. Give me findings, not a methodology explanation. Prioritize primary sources (government filings, meeting minutes, permits, official records) over secondary coverage. Break the claim into individual assertions and label each: confirmed, partly supported, disputed or unverified.

Output:

1. Verdict (1-2 sentences per claim)
2. Create a table with the following categories: 

    Assertion | Status | Evidence | Source

3. What is confirmed vs. missing / unresolved
4. A [format, e.g., 150-word Facebook comment] write-up I can post to clarify misconceptions and/or briefly and clearly explain the proposal, backed by the evidence.

Your Goal: Increase Public Art

You are an artist or art lover who would like to see more public art throughout your town—murals, sculptures, etc.—but you’re not sure how to make that happen.

The prompt:

I want to create opportunities for artists to beautify [insert town] through murals, sculptures, installations or other art forms. I don’t have a location, plan or budget yet.

Context

Timeline: [no deadline / next spring / other]

Budget: [$0 for now / up to $X / other]

Possible spaces: [list them / none yet]

Create a step-by-step guide to help me achieve my goal by:

 Identifying and reviewing potential spaces and who controls them.

 Finding local artists, arts organizations and school programs I could work with.

 Identifying sponsors, grants and public funding.

Ask clarifying questions, then turn my idea into a concrete, actionable plan.

This article was edited by Gia Miller and fact-checked by Liz Colombini. The artist used Adobe Creative Suite. 

This article was edited by Gia Miller and fact-checked by Liz Colombini. The artist used Adobe Creative Suite.