Say it like this
- We're having an AMA with the CEO on Thursday.
- Fire away with your questions—this is an open AMA.
- I submitted a question for the upcoming AMA session.
Use it at work
Announcing it
- Our CTO is doing an AMA on Thursday. Bring your questions.
- We'll host an AMA in the #engineering channel.
Sending questions
- Can I submit a question for the AMA anonymously?
- For the AMA: what's the plan for remote work?
Afterward
- The AMA answers are pinned in the channel.
- That AMA cleared up a lot about the re-org.
Don't say this
AMA is a noun referring to the event itself, not a verb. Use 'ask' as a verb instead.
Practice
Try it
4 quick exercises
1. Your manager announces a meeting with the CTO. What do you say?
2. I am looking forward to the _______ with the new VP of Product to ask about our Q3 goals.
3. Which sentence uses 'AMA' incorrectly?
4. Rewrite this in natural tech English using 'AMA': 'Our leader will answer any questions the team wants to ask in a special open meeting next Thursday.'
Say it out loud
Phrase 1 of 3
"We're having an AMA with the CEO on Thursday."
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More about AMA
Real examples(3)
- in a team Slack channel
"Just a reminder that our AMA with the product team is tomorrow at 2 PM. Feel free to submit your questions in the thread."
- in a company all-hands meeting
"We will conclude with an AMA portion where you can ask anything about the new engineering roadmap."
- in an email announcement
"Join us for an AMA with our new CTO to learn about her vision for infrastructure improvements."
More mistakes(2)
Handle with care. AMA is sometimes confused with 'ask me anything' when it actually means 'ask me another' in some contexts. Always clarify the context to avoid misunderstanding.
- ✕The AMA was very formal and scripted.✓The AMA was interactive and allowed spontaneous questions.
AMAs are characteristically informal and open; calling one 'formal' contradicts its purpose.
- ✕We scheduled an AMA but no one asked questions.✓We scheduled an AMA but only received a few questions.
In a true AMA, participants typically do submit questions; if none were submitted, it suggests low engagement rather than the normal state of an AMA.
Other forms(2)
- AMA noun
"The AMA with our engineering lead was very informative."
- AMAs noun (plural)
"We hold quarterly AMAs to keep communication channels open."
Often used with(5)
- host an AMA · to organize and run an AMA session
- attend an AMA · to participate in an AMA session as an attendee
- submit a question for the AMA · to provide a question in advance of an AMA
- open AMA · an AMA where any topic can be asked about
- live AMA · an AMA conducted in real-time with immediate responses
Similar words(3)
- Q&A session · More formal and structured; similar concept but less informal than AMA
- open forum · General term for any open discussion; AMA is more specific and internet-culture influenced
- fireside chat · Informal conversation with a leader; typically more curated than an AMA
Opposites(3)
- closed meeting
- scripted presentation
- no questions allowed
Questions(5)
- What does AMA stand for?
- AMA stands for Ask Me Anything. It is a communication format where a speaker or expert (often a leader in a company) answers any questions from the audience without pre-screening or restrictions.
- How do you participate in an AMA at work?
- You can usually submit questions in advance via email, Slack, or a form, or ask questions live during the AMA session if it is conducted in real-time. The format is designed to be accessible and encourage participation from all levels of employees.
- Is AMA formal or informal?
- AMA is casual and informal by design. While the structure may be organized, the tone and content are typically more relaxed and candid than traditional presentations, allowing for authentic dialogue.
- When are AMAs typically held in tech companies?
- AMAs are commonly held quarterly or bi-annually with executives, or more frequently with specific teams or department heads. They are especially common during company-wide all-hands meetings or after major announcements.
- Can you ask sensitive or critical questions in an AMA?
- Yes. The purpose of an AMA is to allow open dialogue, including tough or challenging questions. However, the tone should remain professional and respectful. Leaders typically appreciate the opportunity to address concerns directly.
