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Inputs

Persona Selector

Switch the assistant role for a task (tutor, editor, recruiter, coding partner) via chips, menus, or presets. Each persona carries instructions so people skip rewriting the system prompt.

Interactive demo

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Overview

How might we design persona selector so people can trust and act on AI output?

When to use

  • Perfect for multi-purpose AI tools, conversational applications, and platforms where switching AI personas adapts the assistant to different tasks and contexts.

When to skip

  • Products with one fixed professional voice and no role diversity.
  • Safety-critical advice where role-play could imply unqualified expertise.
  • Crowded composers where persona chips compete with mode and model controls.

Rules

  • Personas that claim credentials the product cannot guarantee.

  • Switching persona mid-thread without showing what instructions changed.

  • Dozens of near-duplicate personas with no search or categories.

  • Persona names that do not match the instructions users actually get.

Evidence

ProductImplementation
ChatGPTGPTs and role-oriented custom instructions selectable per chat.
Character.aiCharacter grid as the primary persona selection surface.
ClaudeStyles and project-level instruction personas for work contexts.
PerplexityFocus/profile modes that bias research toward a domain role.

Real-world examples

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FAQ

What is a persona selector in AI UX?

A persona selector lets users pick a named assistant role (such as tutor or editor) that applies a preset instruction set and expectations for the conversation.

Persona vs model selection?

Model selection chooses capability and cost. Persona selection chooses behavior and framing on top of a model. Users often need both, labeled separately.

Should personas include example prompts?

Yes. Pairing a persona with two or three starter prompts teaches how to talk to that role and reduces blank-composer friction.

Can personas override safety policy?

No. Product policy must win. Personas can change tone and task framing, not permissions to give dangerous or disallowed help.