Getting the Most out of AI

A group of people in UMass Lowell lab coats standing inside a lab.

Getting the most out of generative AI models largely depends on the quality of the prompts you provide. A well-crafted prompt can make the difference between generic, irrelevant output and highly specific, useful content. Writing effective prompts will save time and improve the quality of your results. This usually requires trial and error: giving the model feedback, and re-asking questions in different ways to get different results.

These tips will help you create prompts that yield more accurate, relevant responses.

Use Step-by-Step Instructions: Break down complex tasks into smaller, more manageable parts

  • Example: Instead of asking the AI to "Write an essay about climate change," you might say, "Outline the key causes of climate change in bullet points, followed by an introduction paragraph discussing its global impact."

Specific Output Length: Clearly define the desired length to guide the AI's response.

  • Example: "Summarize the article in 200 words" or "Write a detailed explanation in three paragraphs."

Request Multiple Perspectives: Encourage the AI to explore broader insights by asking for diverse viewpoints.

  • Example: "Explain the benefits and challenges of remote work from both an employer's and an employee's perspective."

Include Formatting Requirements: Specify the format you want to make the output more usable.

  • Example: "Create a table comparing the features of renewable energy sources: solar, wind, and hydro" or "Provide the information as a bulleted list."

Encourage Creativity or Analysis: Frame prompts to inspire innovation or deeper thinking.

  • Example: "Generate three innovative uses for AI in education" or "Critically analyze the ethical implications of AI in hiring practices." 

Ask for Justifications or Explanations: Request reasoning or evidence to add depth to the response.

  • Example: "Recommend three books for learning about AI and explain why each is valuable."

Define the Target Audience: Tailor the tone and complexity of the response by specifying the audience.

  • Example: "Explain blockchain technology to high school students in simple terms" or "Describe blockchain technology to a group of software engineers."

Set a Role or Perspective for the AI: Assign a specific role or perspective to give context to the response. 

  • Example: "Act as a college advisor and explain the benefits of studying abroad" or "Pretend you are a historian." 

Incorporate Hypothetical Scenarios: Use scenarios to make the prompt more engaging and relevant. 

  • Example: "Imagine a future where AI runs 90% of global industries. Discuss the societal impacts" or "You are an entrepreneur starting an eco-friendly clothing brand. Generate three marketing strategies."

Limit the Scope: Narrow the focus of the response to address specific aspects.

  • Example: "Explain the causes of the American Civil War, focusing only on economic factors."

By applying these strategies, you can create more precise and impactful prompts, leading to better AI-generated results.