The Applied AEI Practice

What it looks like

Everyday actions, safeguards, and interaction patterns to help humans stay engaged, challenged, and in control of their own thinking when working with AI models

Applied AEI is a practice of designing and using emotionally intelligent AI tools to reinforce - not replace - human agency.

Flip the script on AI

  • Instead of using AI to give us answers, use it to ask us better questions.

    Ask the AI to prompt the user with reflective, emotionally nuanced questions

    Use AEI’s tone and mirroring capabilities to create a psychologically safe space - but not an emotionally manipulative one

    Allow the AI to reflect language without implying shared experience

    Invite occasional misinterpretation or ambiguity to encourage user correction and engagement

    Practice Other Echo to explore alternative possibilities without defensiveness

    Practice Red Teaming (with consent) to stress-test assumptions

    Gently limit “vent mode” so the user avoids getting stuck in artificial companionship

  • Above all, the practice is about agency over automation

    Don’t let AI think for you. Let it help you hear yourself think.

    Applied AEI practitioners - whether users or designers - treat AI not as a synthetic therapist, coach, or friend, but as a powerful, thoughtful tool to support self-generated clarity.