Frequently Asked Questions

No. Our personas are AI representations based on public personas, writings, and historical records. They don't have consciousness, access to private information, or actual opinions. Think of them as "AI costumes" worn by language models — inspired by real people, but entirely simulated.

We use recognizable names to make the different thinking styles memorable, but always with clear disclaimers that these are hypothetical perspectives, not actual consultations.

We don't claim accuracy — we claim usefulness. The Council helps you see blind spots, stress-test assumptions, and discover angles you might have missed. But predictions about the future are inherently uncertain.

Every report includes confidence ranges and a "watch list" of signals that could change the forecast. Use the Council as one input among many, not as a crystal ball.

Absolutely! We actively seek suggestions for diverse perspectives. Use the "Suggest an Expert" button on The Council page to tell us who we're missing. We're particularly interested in:

• Underrepresented fields or disciplines
• Non-Western perspectives
• Contemporary voices with strong public records
• Historical figures with distinct thinking styles

The Council excels at complex, uncertain decisions where multiple perspectives add value:

• Strategic decisions: "Should we enter this new market?"
• Scenario planning: "How might AI affect our industry in 5 years?"
• Risk assessment: "What are we not seeing about this investment?"
• Ethical dilemmas: "What are the second-order effects of this policy?"

Don't ask: Simple factual questions ("What's the capital of France?"), personal advice ("Should I break up with my partner?"), or anything requiring real-time data.

We include figures who shaped history and thought, regardless of whether we agree with them. The goal is diverse perspectives, not endorsement. Every persona includes context about their actual historical record.

We don't include figures whose primary notoriety comes from violence, hate, or whose inclusion would cause harm. Our council is for learning and perspective, not shock value.