How to Use Generative AI, Part 2—Good, Better, Best Prompting

When we use generative AI, the quality of output is heavily influenced by the input provided. We think of it as a the strategy of good, better, and best prompting. At the heart of effective interaction with generative AI lies the art of crafting prompts that steer the AI's responses in desired directions. Generative AI creates new data based on the 
path it takes through its own training data and 
its own model so the direction, specificity, and detail matters. Ultimately, a prompt points the model to the right place in the data cosmos.

Good prompting begins with clarity and specificity, the basic yet crucial elements that set the foundation for any successful interaction with AI. A clear prompt ensures that the AI understands the task at hand, while specificity helps in narrowing down the AI's focus, leading to more accurate and relevant outputs. For instance, rather than asking for "a story," specifying "a science fiction story set in a post-apocalyptic world" gives the AI a clearer direction, resulting in a more focused creation.

Moving from good to better prompting involves a deeper understanding of the AI's capabilities and limitations. It requires not just asking the AI to create something but doing so in a way that aligns with how the AI processes information. This means framing prompts that not only specify what you want but also how you want it presented, considering the AI's unique way of generating content based on its training. For example, if seeking business advice, a better prompt would not only specify the industry but also the type of advice—strategic, operational, financial—thus directing the AI to leverage relevant parts of its training.