In this post, I will not delve into technical definitions or explanations, such as detailing what a Language Model like GPT-4 is. This information can be easily found with a quick web search or by asking an AI like ChatGPT directly.
Instead, I aim to shed light on the concept of 'prompting', and offer insights into how best to communicate with AI systems like ChatGPT or New Bing.
Prompts, a fundamental aspect of AI interactions, may sound technical but need not be understood in depth from a technology perspective. Simply put, a 'prompt' is the text you enter in the chat window while interacting with an AI. It forms the basis of your interaction and significantly influences the output from the AI.
To illustrate, let's take ChatGPT as an example. Before delving deeper, I'd recommend spending a few minutes or hours interacting with ChatGPT to better understand its workings.
Numerous 'prompting tips' have been circulating, particularly popular ones being basic role-play prompts such as: "From now on, you are my personal assistant for my blog post business. Please provide a detailed plan for building a blog website with 1000 unique visits per day". While such strategies can be effective, they are surface-level tricks, and I believe the real key lies in the mindset you approach the AI with.
Approach your AI interaction with seriousness and respect. There are typically three ways we tend to approach AI:
1) Directing the AI,
2) Letting the AI guide us, or
3) Testing the AI for amusement.
The first approach is great for brainstorming tasks, while the second works well for specific, executable tasks such as coding. However, the third approach of treating AI interaction as a gimmick or a toy is fruitless.
When you approach AI with the right mindset, you naturally arrive at the most effective prompts.
In instances where you're unsure about the type of prompt to use for a new task, I suggest following this method: Take an initial stab at the task, refine your approach, and then refine some more. Sometimes, taking a break and slowing down can surprisingly expedite the process.
The term "Prompt Engineering" might sound intimidating, suggesting an elaborate technical process. However, this isn't always the case. It's beneficial to focus more on the usage of prompts rather than becoming too concerned about the 'depth' of prompt engineering. However, if you're interested in delving a bit deeper into prompt engineering, you could refer to resources like Prompting Guide.
Remember, AI development is an incredibly fast-paced field, and a day may come when we might not need to concern ourselves with prompt engineering at all.
I hope you find these insights beneficial in your interactions with AI. Remember, the essence of effective communication with AI lies in your mindset and the nature of your prompts.
