---
title: Kick-starting a PyConf Panelist Interview
date: 2026-03-17T08:32:35+05:30
categories:
  - llms
description: AI can act as an on-the-spot cognitive starter, helping people recover fluency and structure when they are unexpectedly asked to speak.
keywords: [public speaking, interviews, AI assistance, cognition, PyConf, conversational support]
---

![](https://files.s-anand.net/images/2026-03-17-kick-starting-a-pyconf-panelist-interview.avif)

I was a panelist at the [PyConf Hyderabad](https://2026.pyconfhyd.org/) [AI in SDLC - Panel Discussion](https://2026.pyconfhyd.org/schedule?day=day2&track=track1).

After that, one of the volunteers asked for a video interview.

"How was the panel discussion?" he asked.

Ever since I started using AI actively, my brain doesn't work without it. So, instead of an eloquent answer, I said, "Good."

He tried again. "Um... how did you feel about it?" he asked.

I searched for my feelings. Again, fairly empty in the absence of AI. "Good," I said again.

He didn't know what to do. I did.

"Look, I'm not going to give good answers without good questions. Let's do this. Why don't you think of a way of asking that question that will make me give interesting answers?"

To his credit, he tried. He thought for a minute before saying, "I can't think of anything."

So I pulled up ChatGPT and dictated this on his behalf:

> I have been asked to record panelists at PyCon Hyderabad and give feedback.
>
> I asked one panelist what his feedback was, and he said it was good, but that is a very simple question, and he said I should come up with better questions that will help him answer better.
>
> Now, I have no idea what questions to ask that will come up with better answers. So what am I supposed to do?
>
> Can you give me some interesting questions that will help this panelist give me good answers?

I pasted this into [Claude](https://claude.ai/share/ced547fa-d0ca-4c87-8430-451a12fc76a6) - since ChatGPT has better dictation but Claude has flaire - and handed my phone to the volunteer.

He scanned through it, and his first question was a shocker.

"Was there a moment when you disagreed with a copanelist but stayed silent?" he asked. And _then_, the interview flowed beautifully.

---

**Postscript**: I read [Claude's actual response](https://claude.ai/share/ced547fa-d0ca-4c87-8430-451a12fc76a6). The volunteer's question _was not in the list_! Based on a _quick_ scan of Claude's ideas, he came up with that (very good) question on his own.

This validates my [AI Advice](/blog/ai-advice/). AI is great to get you started. It's great for ideation. It also atrophies your brain - but those are parts many won't use in the future.