Best AI Prompt Techniques

Creating effective AI prompts is essential for getting the best performance from AI models. Here are some professional techniques to craft high-quality prompts. Let’s go!

1. Be Specific and Clear

• Detail the Task: Clearly describe the task you want the AI to perform. For instance, instead of saying “write a report,” specify “write a 2-page report analysing the impacts of Brexit on the UK economy.”
• Avoid Ambiguity: Make sure your instructions are unambiguous to avoid misunderstandings. For example, “Create a financial summary” is vague; instead, use “Summarise the Q2 financial performance of our company, focusing on revenue, profit margins, and key expenses.”

2. Use Step-by-Step Instructions

• Break Down Complex Tasks: Split complex tasks into smaller, manageable steps. For example, “First, summarise the key findings from the research paper. Second, provide a critical analysis of these findings. Third, suggest potential areas for further research.”
• Sequence Matters: Ensure the steps are in logical order to guide the AI properly. For instance, “Research the latest trends in artificial intelligence, then write an executive summary, and finally prepare a PowerPoint presentation.”

3. Provide Examples

• Show Desired Format: Provide examples of the desired output to guide the AI. For instance, “Draft an email to a client: ‘Dear Mr. Thompson, I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to update you on the progress of your project…'”
• Highlight Key Elements: Use examples to emphasise important parts of the task. For example, “A strong introduction in a business report looks like this: ‘In this report, we examine the current market conditions and their implications for our strategic planning.’ Notice how it sets the context and outlines the purpose.”

4. Use Open-Ended Questions

• Encourage Creativity: Use open-ended questions to allow the AI to generate more creative responses. For example, “What innovative solutions can be implemented to improve cybersecurity in our organisation?”
• Explore Options: Open-ended prompts help in exploring various possibilities and options. For instance, “How can artificial intelligence be leveraged to enhance customer satisfaction in the retail sector?”

5. Specify Constraints

• Define Limits: Clearly state any constraints or limits within which the AI should operate. For example, “Write a concise summary of the annual report using no more than 300 words.”
• Set Boundaries: Constraints help in keeping the output relevant and focused. For instance, “Develop a marketing strategy for our new product that does not exceed a budget of £50,000.”

6. Iterate and Refine

• Review Outputs: Regularly review the outputs and refine the prompts based on the results. For example, if the output is too general, refine your prompt to be more specific: “Detail the environmental impact of plastic waste in the oceans, focusing on marine life.”
• Adjust for Improvement: Make adjustments to improve the accuracy and relevance of the responses. For instance, if the AI misses critical points, clarify your instructions: “Focus on the economic impacts of the new policy, particularly on small businesses and employment rates.”

7. Leverage Context

• Provide Background: Give the AI some context about the task or subject matter. For example, “Given the current economic downturn, write an analysis of how our company can adapt its business model to remain competitive.”
• Maintain Consistency: Use context to maintain consistency in responses across similar tasks. For instance, “In light of our recent rebranding efforts, suggest ways to enhance our social media presence.”

8. Use Positive and Negative Examples

• Show What to Avoid: Along with positive examples, provide negative examples to clarify what should be avoided. For example, “Do not write responses like: ‘The meeting was fine.’ Instead, write: ‘The meeting was productive and we successfully outlined our next steps.'”
• Clarify Boundaries: Negative examples help in clearly defining the boundaries of acceptable responses. For instance, “Avoid using technical jargon that might not be understood by all stakeholders. Use clear and accessible language instead.”

9. Test Variations

• Experiment with Different Phrasings: Try different ways of phrasing the same prompt to see which one works best. For example, “Describe the benefits of cloud computing” versus “What are the primary advantages of cloud computing for a mid-sized enterprise?”
• Analyse Results: Compare the outputs from different variations to find the most effective prompt. For instance, “Explain the process of digital transformation” might yield different results than “How does digital transformation impact traditional business models?”

10. Incorporate Feedback

• Use User Feedback: Incorporate feedback from users to improve the prompts. For example, if users find a prompt confusing, revise it based on their suggestions: “Provide a detailed explanation of the project timeline, including key milestones and deadlines.”
• Continuous Improvement: Regularly update and refine prompts based on user feedback and performance analysis. For instance, if the AI consistently misunderstands a prompt, tweak it for clarity: “Instead of ‘Discuss the benefits,’ use ‘What are the specific advantages of implementing this new software in our operations?'”