How to write precise questions for AI-powered legal analysis

When working with Robin AI Reports, the quality of the questions you ask directly impacts the quality of the answers you receive. While Robin AI is designed to extract and summarize key contract terms with high accuracy, it still relies on clear, well-structured instructions to deliver the best possible results.

AI models do not “think” like humans. Instead, they analyze patterns in text and extract relevant information based on the way a question is phrased. If a question is too broad, ambiguous, or contains multiple parts, the AI might provide an incomplete or less useful response. A well-formed question ensures that the AI knows exactly what you’re asking and can deliver precise, actionable answers.

This guide explains how to write effective questions for Robin AI Reports, covering best practices such as structuring your queries, breaking down complex questions, providing context, and using clear commands to guide the AI.

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1. Understanding How AI Interprets Questions

Unlike a human lawyer, AI does not infer intent beyond what is explicitly stated. It works best when given specific, structured, and context-rich instructions.

What to expect when asking questions in Robin AI Reports:

• AI will provide answers based on the text available in the contract. If a contract does not contain an answer to a question, the AI will return "N/A" instead of making assumptions.
• AI does not “read between the lines.” If a clause is implied but not explicitly stated, the AI will not infer meaning unless guided by a well-structured question.
• AI follows the structure of the question. If the wording is too broad or contains multiple elements, the AI might miss part of the intended request.

To get the best results, treat the AI as if you are instructing a junior legal professional—clear, precise guidance leads to more accurate answers.

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2. Be Clear and Direct

Vague or overly complex questions can lead to ambiguous or incomplete answers. A clear question ensures the AI extracts exactly what you need.

Example:

❌ Bad Question: What does the contract permit or require after termination?

✔️ Good Question: Does the contract include any rights or obligations post-termination?

Why?

• The second version asks for a specific piece of information.
• The AI knows to search for rights or obligations rather than interpreting a broad phrase like "permit or require."

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3. Break Complex Questions into Individual Components

If a question includes multiple elements, split it into separate questions to improve accuracy.

Example:

❌ Bad Question: What is the definition of "Change of Control" included in the agreement? If there is no specific definition, answer "Not defined".

✔️ Good Questions:

1. Is there a definition of "Change of Control" in this contract?
2. What is the definition of "Change of Control" included in the agreement? If there is no specific definition, answer "Not defined".

Why?

• The AI can first determine whether a definition exists before attempting to extract it.
• Separating the request prevents partial or incorrect outputs.

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4. Provide Context to Improve Accuracy

Contracts often use different wording for similar concepts. Providing context in your question helps the AI extract the right information.

Example:

❌ Bad Question: Are there any audit rights under the contract?

✔️ Good Question: Does the contract allow either party to check or audit the other party’s conduct under the contract?

Why?

• The second version clarifies what is meant by "audit rights."
• The AI knows to look for provisions that allow one party to assess the compliance of the other.

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5. Use Clear Commands to Guide the AI

Starting questions with action-oriented verbs like summarize, identify, or extract helps the AI understand exactly what format the answer should take.

Example:

❌ Bad Question: What are each party’s termination rights under the agreement?

✔️ Good Question: Identify and summarize each party’s termination rights under the agreement.

Why?

• "Identify and summarize" gives the AI clear instructions on what to look for and how to present the information.

Best Verbs to Use in AI Reports:

• Summarize – when you need a concise explanation of a contract term.
• Identify – when you need a specific provision or clause extracted.
• List – when multiple data points may apply.
• Extract – when you need precise wording from the contract.

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6. Expect and Verify AI Outputs

Even with well-structured questions, AI-generated outputs should always be verified for accuracy. Robin AI Reports include citations that link directly to the source text, allowing users to confirm the extracted information.

Best Practices for Reviewing AI Responses:

• Check citations to validate accuracy. If an answer seems off, click the citation to review the original contract language.
• Rephrase questions if needed. If the output isn’t what you expected, refine the wording and test again.
• Use Answer Previews before running full reports. This allows you to test different phrasing and formats to ensure the best results.

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7. Summary of Best Practices for Writing Questions in Robin AI Reports

✔ Use Simple, Direct Language – Keep questions clear and specific.

✔ Break Down Multi-Part Queries – Address one issue per question to avoid confusion.

✔ Provide Context Where Necessary – Guide the AI to the correct information.

✔ Use Clear Commands – Start with verbs like summarize, identify, list, or extract.

✔ Verify Outputs Using Citations – Ensure the extracted information is accurate and relevant.

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Conclusion

Writing effective questions is key to getting accurate and useful answers from Robin AI Reports. By structuring questions clearly, breaking down complex requests, providing relevant context, and using action-oriented commands, legal professionals can ensure more precise, reliable, and actionable contract insights.

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