Two thousand years before ChatGPT, Socrates built a reputation by asking better questions than anyone else in the room.
He did not lecture.
He asked.
His method forced people to examine assumptions, challenge conclusions and rethink what they believed to be true. The process was uncomfortable at times, but it sharpened thinking.
Fast forward to 2026, and we are rediscovering the value of that skill.
Artificial intelligence is spreading across every profession. Many people believe the most valuable workers will be those who know how to use the latest AI tools.
That assumption misses something important.
The people getting the most value out of AI are not always the best coders. They are the ones who know how to ask better questions.
In other words, the modern workplace may need more Socrates.
AI Does Not Replace Thinking. It Amplifies It.
Artificial intelligence is powerful, but it is not wise.
It produces answers based on the quality of the prompt and the judgment of the user. When the prompt is vague, the output is vague. When the prompt is thoughtful, the results improve dramatically.
Greg Weiner, president of Assumption University, made this point in a March 2, 2026 Washington Post opinion column, The best education for future success might surprise you. He argued that artificial intelligence “makes purely technical skills less valuable and human judgment more essential.”
That shift has big implications for how we think about education and professional development.
The competitive advantage is no longer just knowing how to use a tool.
The advantage is knowing how to question what the tool produces.
Socrates and the Art of the Prompt
Socrates believed knowledge developed through questioning.
His method followed a pattern.
First, ask a question.
Second, examine the answer.
Third, challenge contradictions.
Fourth, refine the question.
If that process sounds familiar, it should.
It looks almost identical to how effective professionals interact with AI systems today.
You ask a question.
You review the response.
You notice gaps or inconsistencies.
You refine the prompt and ask again.
The quality of the final answer depends on the quality of the questioning process.
Weiner captured the connection when he wrote, “Socrates, after all, was the original prompt engineer.”
It is a clever line, but it also reveals something important about the future of work.
The most valuable professionals may not be the ones who know the most commands. They may be the ones who know how to challenge what AI tells them.
Why Liberal Arts Thinking Still Matters
One of Weiner’s larger arguments is that universities may be drawing the wrong lesson from the rise of artificial intelligence.
Instead of strengthening broad education that develops judgment, many schools are rushing to create narrowly focused AI programs.
That approach assumes the most valuable skill is technical training.
But the ability to think across disciplines often produces better insights. Weiner describes liberal education as a system that helps students “pursue truth wherever it is found” while exposing them to complexity and nuance.
That kind of thinking becomes more important when AI floods the workplace with information.
When answers are easy to generate, judgment becomes more valuable.
What This Means for Public Relations
Public relations has always been a profession built on questions.
Before any campaign begins, a good communicator asks things like:
What story actually matters here?
What does the audience care about?
What risk could this message create?
What is the real issue behind the headline?
AI can help draft a press release. It can summarize research and generate talking points.
What it cannot do is determine whether the message is wise.
Reputation lives in gray areas. Strategy depends on context. Those things require human judgment.
That is why I believe AI will change the PR profession, but it will not eliminate it.
The Theater Major Advantage
Over the past three decades running a PR agency, I have learned something that surprises many people.
Some of the most creative and adaptable employees I have hired were theater, English and art majors.
My own undergraduate and graduate studies were in theater performance and management, so maybe I am biased. But theater teaches skills that translate directly into business.
Actors learn how to read a room.
They learn how to adjust when something unexpected happens.
They learn how to collaborate and tell stories that move people.
You can teach someone how to operate software.
Teaching creativity is much harder.
As artificial intelligence handles more routine tasks, the value of creativity and storytelling will only grow.
The Question Parents Should Be Asking
This conversation also feels personal right now.
As the parent of a tenth-grade daughter, the topic of college majors comes up often. Families everywhere are trying to predict which degrees will still lead to stable careers.
It is a reasonable concern.
But the question many parents ask may be the wrong one.
Instead of asking which major guarantees a job, we might ask something more important.
What kind of education teaches a young person how to think?
Technology changes quickly. Entire categories of jobs can shift within a decade.
But the ability to ask smart questions, analyze information and communicate clearly holds its value over time.
The Skill AI Cannot Replace
Artificial intelligence can process massive amounts of information in seconds.
What it still cannot do is decide which questions matter most.
That responsibility remains human.
Two thousand years ago, Socrates understood that progress begins with curiosity. His method forced people to challenge assumptions and refine their thinking.
Today, we are discovering that the same skill drives success in the AI era.
Better prompts produce better answers.
Better questions produce better decisions.
And the professionals who master that skill will always have an advantage.
Asking the Right Questions Before the Headlines Appear
If your organization is trying to navigate the impact of artificial intelligence on reputation, messaging and media strategy, this is exactly where experienced public relations counsel matters. At TrizCom PR, we help leadership teams ask the right questions before the headlines appear. Our team works with companies to sharpen their story, anticipate risk and build communications strategies that stand up in a fast-moving AI-driven media environment.
If you want a PR partner who understands both emerging technologies and the human judgment required to manage reputation, visit TrizComPR.com to learn how we help brands communicate with clarity and confidence.
Everyone has a story. Let TrizCom PR help tell yours.
About the Author:
Jo Trizila – Founder & CEO of TrizCom PR
Jo Trizila is the founder and CEO of TrizCom PR, a leading Dallas-based public relations firm known for delivering strategic communications that drive business growth and enhance brand reputations as well as Pitch PR, a press release distribution agency. With over 25 years of experience in PR and marketing, Jo has helped countless organizations navigate complex communication challenges, ranging from crisis management to brand storytelling. Under her leadership, TrizCom PR has earned recognition for its results-driven approach, combining traditional and integrated digital strategies to deliver impactful, measurable outcomes for clients across various industries, including healthcare, technology and nonprofit sectors. Jo is passionate about helping businesses amplify their voices and connect with audiences meaningfully. Her hands-on approach and commitment to excellence have established TrizCom PR as a trusted partner for companies seeking to elevate their brand and achieve lasting success. Contact Jo at jo@TrizCom.com.