As artificial intelligence is becoming more prevalent in today’s society, with the use of AI tools like ChatGPT, Co-Pilot & Bard. the ability to effectively communicate with AI is becoming increasingly crucial as a skill set. In this post I will discuss the in’s and out’s of this fast growing skill that many employers will no doubt be advertising for the future.
The Essence of Prompt Engineering
Prompt engineering is a new field under the umbrella of artificial intelligence that focuses on creating and improving prompts to make the most out of large language models (like ChatGPT) by exploring their capabilities, customization, enhancing user experience, syncing human intent with AI understanding, academic research & development for ethical AI use. Learning how to engineer prompts helps us get a clearer picture of what these advanced language models can and can’t do. This skill hinges on using the right words, expressions, and context to guide the AI in producing relevant and specific outputs.
Engineering your prompts
When you type something for the AI to respond to, that’s a Prompt. They are the initial instructions or questions that you give to the language model. The way in which you phrase these prompts is crucial because it guides the AI in understanding what you’re looking for and how to respond.
For example; You need to write an email to a co-worker to request a report.
A vague prompt would be: ” Write an email.” With this prompt the chatbot is likely to generate a generic email template without any specific details to sender, context or purpose.
A specific prompt would be: “Write a formal email to my co-worker John Smith, asking for the latest sales report by the end of this week. Mention in the text that I need it before the upcoming client meeting on Monday [Insert Date].”
The more specific and clear your instructions, the better the final output. As discussed in previous post, they key to good prompts is being C.L.E.A.R – clear instructions, limited scope, ensuring neutrality, adopting a persona & requesting a specific format.
GPT can be used to provide specialized advice when engineered to, its vast knowledge can be leveraged to simulate the experience of a seasoned professional collaborator. For instance:
Engineered Prompt: “Act as an experienced blog post writer: Write a 500-word blog post for beginner gardeners about easy-to-grow vegetables in urban balconies, focusing on tomatoes, peppers, and herbs.”
Outcome: The engineered prompt results in a targeted blog post that directly addresses the needs of urban gardeners, focusing on specific plants and a beginner-friendly approach.
Another advantageous prompt template involves asking ChatGPT to compile resources for upskilling in a specific field, such as Market Research. By requesting not just a list of resources but also explanations for their relevance, you gain both guidance and insight, making your learning journey more efficient and tailored.
Engineered Prompt: “Explain the concept of photosynthesis in a simple, engaging manner for a 5th-grade science student, using examples and a small diagram.”
Outcome: The AI generates an age-appropriate, easy-to-understand explanation of photosynthesis, complete with examples and a diagram, making the concept clearer for a young student.
Prompt Parameters
There a variables that can be adjusted to influence how the model behaves or generates responses. These variables are referred to as ‘parameters’ – they act as controls that can be adjusted to modify the AI model’s output. When it comes to prompt engineering, understanding these parameters is a key aspect in using AI effectively.
The main parameters in AI models are:
- Temperature
- Tokens
- Top-p
- Frequency/Presence Penalty
- Stop Sequences
Luckily none of this stuff is important for us non-technical users to learn. The parameters are already set when you start using GPT 3.5, If you are are like me and don’t mind reading up on things then there is lot of information available online.
Through prompt engineering, we can harness the full potential of AI, transforming it from a tool into a collaborator. Whether yo u’re looking to enhance your career, foster creativity, or simply explore the vast possibilities of GPT, the journey starts with mastering the art of the prompt.
Leave a Reply