When running an Ask query, the operator popup box displays “is <any value>” as the default option.
We can, of course, choose another option from the list, but I'll tell you why this is not a trivial thing.

When using an Ask Query in NetMail, it is too easy to click 'Next', thus sending thousands of unintended emails. A 'select all' query should never be the default, in any database.

We still want the drop-down box and the ability to change the operator to the options listed, including to "is <any value>", but if the default one could be something else, perhaps 'equals' instead, that would be a wonderful thing. Something that forces one to look at or enter a value before moving to the next step.

It seems to be a display issue with little impact on the underlying database structure, so I'm hopeful this can be done fairly easily.
Thanks for listening.

References:

"In addition to the criteria operators defined earlier, you can also select the “is <any value>” criteria operator, which is the default for the Ask at Runtime function."
(from RE7 Query/Export PDF, "Understand the Ask Operator", p.25, https://www.blackbaud.com/files/support/guides/re7ent/queryexp.pdf)

Related to this Idea:
https://rediscovery.uservoice.com/forums/137015-raiser-s-edge-discovery-topics/suggestions/4516836-customize-the-presentation-question-for-ask-crit