Mok, Aaron. “I’m an AI-Prompt Engineer. Here Are 3 Ways to Use CHATGPT to Get the Best Results.” Business Insider, www.businessinsider.com/how-to-write-better-ai-chatgpt-prompts-according-prompt-engineer-2023-3. Accessed 17 May 2023.
This as-told-to essay is based on conversations with Anna Bernstein, a 29-year-old prompt engineer at the generative-AI firm Copy.ai based in New York. The following has been edited for length and clarity.
When I was a freelance writer and historical research assistant, I spent a lot of my time scrolling through microfiche in libraries. Now, I’m a prompt engineer helping to optimize the most cutting-edge technology in the world.
My journey into prompt engineering began in the summer of 2021 when I met a guy at a jazz bar who, at the time, worked for Copy.ai, which makes an AI tool that can generate copy for blogs, sales emails, and social media posts.
He mentioned that Copy.ai — run on OpenAI’s GPT-3 language model — was having some trouble with the quality of its outputs and asked if I wanted to take a stab at being a prompt person. Even though I was an English major and had no background in tech, I said yes; I didn’t like the stress of freelancing and this seemed fascinating to me.
Soon after, I got offered a one-month contract to work on executing different types of tones. At first, I barely knew what I was doing. But then the founder explained that prompting is kind of like writing a spell: If you say the spell slightly wrong, something slightly wrong can happen — and vice versa. Taking his advice, I managed to come up with a solution for better tone adherence, which led to a full-time job offer at the company.
Since then, the scope of my job has grown; I now help improve existing tools and create new ones with the goal of getting the AI to spit out the best responses for users.
In practice, I spend my days writing text-based prompts — which I can’t reveal due to my NDA — that I feed into the back end of the AI tools so they can do things such as generate a blog post that is high-quality, grammatically correct, and factually accurate.
I do this by designing the text around a user’s request. In simple terms, a user types something like, “write a product description about a pair of sneakers,” which I receive on the back end. It’s my job, then, to write prompts that can get that query to generate the best output through:
In addition to the pure prompt-engineering part of my job, I also advise on how the models behave, why they might behave the way they do, which model to use, whether we can make a specific tool, and what approach we should take to do that.
I love the “mad scientist” part of the job where I’m able to come up with a dumb idea for a prompt and see it actually work. As a poet, the role also feeds into my obsessive nature with approaching language. It’s a really strange intersection of my literary background and analytical thinking.
The job, however, is unpredictable. New language models come out all the time, which means I’m always having to readjust my prompts. The work itself can be tedious. There are days when I’m obsessively changing and testing a single prompt for hours — sometimes even weeks on end — just so I can get them to work.
At the same time, it’s exciting to not know what’s coming next.
Aside from people at parties not understanding my job, one of the big misconceptions I’ve noticed about AI is the idea that it is sentient when it’s not. When it tries to talk about being an AI, we freak out because we see so many of our fears reflected in what it’s saying. But that’s because it’s trained on our fears informed by scary, sci-fi depictions of AI.
Writing good prompts is easy to pick up, but it’s difficult to master. Getting the AI to do what you want it to do takes trial and error, and with time, I’ve picked up weird strategies along the way; some of my prompts are really wild in structure.
Here are some tips that can help you develop better prompts:
Don’t give up on a concept just because your first prompt didn’t get the result you wanted. Often, finding the right word or phrasing can unlock what you’re doing.
If you want the AI to fully understand your request, make sure your prompt includes a verb that clearly expresses your intent. For instance, “condense this,” is more powerful than, “rewrite this to be shorter.”
Introduce what you’re trying to do clearly from the beginning, and play around with wording, tense, and approach. You can try, “today, we’re going to write an XYZ,” or, “we’re trying to write an XYZ and we’d like your input.” Putting an umbrella of intent over what you’re doing is always useful, and playing around with different ways to do that can make a big difference.
Logging in, please wait...
0 General Document comments
0 Sentence and Paragraph comments
0 Image and Video comments
Curious if there is a connection between an interest in jazz and AI and how they might inform each other.
New Conversation
Hide Full Comment
Eternity is in love with the creations of time.
Eternity is in love with the creations of time.
There are so many analog haptic sensations from my life in libraries.Where are the haptics of digital life.
New Conversation
Hide Full Comment Hide Thread Detail
Eternity is in love with the creations of time.
Eternity is in love with the creations of time.
From the sensuousness of sliding a finger down a shelf of books to the satisfaction of closing a reference book, to the joy and surprise of unexpected connections made through reading for pleasure.
New Conversation
Hide Full Comment
I’m the Tech Liaison for the New York City Writing Project. I… (more)
I’m the Tech Liaison for the New York City Writing Project. I… (more)
From what I heard, you have recently made an important connection with someone who works at a company called Copy.ai. This company uses artificial intelligence to create copy for blogs, emails, and social media posts. You have taken this as a starting point to explore the concept of ‘prompt engineering’, which appears to be a way to write creatively with the aid of artificial intelligence. It looks like this process has had a significant impact on your writing.
New Conversation
Hide Full Comment
Through him and the conversations I had with other people in the industry, I discovered my passion for creating prompts that allow AI algorithms to generate more efficient, interesting, and creative copy.
As we explore this text together, let’s take a moment to pause and observe our connection to the text. Notice how your breath and your mind align as you read. Become aware of the details and nuances that appear as you read. Move towards precision in your understanding and consider the relationship between the details of the text and your own thoughts and feelings. Do you sense a connection between her interest in jazz and AI? Does the text or the details evoke certain emotions in you? Be still and observe what the text brings to you.
New Conversation
Hide Full Comment
I’m the Tech Liaison for the New York City Writing Project. I… (more)
I’m the Tech Liaison for the New York City Writing Project. I… (more)
Let’s take a moment to focus and align our thoughts in regards to the text. Our minds and our breaths are connected—notice the connection between the two as you read.
Try to bring a sense of precision into your breath as you read. Let your inhalations and exhalations become more measured and slow as you take in the words. And bring awareness to your body—is there any alignment between how you feel in your body and the details of the text?
Bring a sense of ease and patience to your reading process. The precision we seek won’t come from a striving but a softening into your practice of reading. Be gentle and take your time to allow your body to adjust and adapt to the words.
New Conversation
Hide Full Comment
I’m the Tech Liaison for the New York City Writing Project. I… (more)
I’m the Tech Liaison for the New York City Writing Project. I… (more)
Applying the spirit and practice of Iyengar Yoga to reading this text involves cultivating a sense of freedom, breaking down the material into smaller parts, practicing regularly, building mental strength and endurance, and paying attention to your breath. To explore the quote about the jazz bar, let’s begin by practicing the Iyengar Yoga skill of Actions: Notice the different kinds of information in the sentence – who, when, where, why, what – and focus in on the details. To stay strong, do an internal “Mula Bandha”, a central core activation, as you read and imagine that everything is connected. To bring awareness to the breath, gently observe the natural rise and fall of the breath as you move through the sentence. With these Iyengar Yoga skills, you can discover subtleties in the sentence that you would miss if you read quickly. This understanding and appreciation of the text can open up opportunities to find relationships between the content of the text and your own experiences. Re-read the text with this Iyengar Yoga-inspired practice and see what insights you uncover.
New Conversation
Hide Full Comment Hide Thread Detail
I’m the Tech Liaison for the New York City Writing Project. I… (more)
I’m the Tech Liaison for the New York City Writing Project. I… (more)
The connection between Iyengar Yoga principles and this text is one that can best be illustrated through the concept of ahimsa, or non-harming. The journey into prompt engineering described in the text speaks to the importance of learning from the people and the environment that surrounds us, bringing our attention to what can transform our knowledge and understanding in holistic ways. In this sense, the journey reflects an exercise of ahimsa, of taking what is experienced out in the world and using it to help us learn and grow.
Additionally, Iyengar Yoga speaks to grounding ourselves in the present moment, something that was likely embodied by the protagonist during their journey into prompt engineering. Although the journey began in the summer of 2021, the protagonist was likely making beginner steps on the path before that time, allowing the now to dictate their progress. This present-minded contemplation allows one to be rooted in the present moment, with an understanding that their progress is unfolding as it should.
Finally, the text embodies the idea of saucha, or purity. In Iyengar Yoga, we strive for clarity and purity of thought and action, much like the protagonist in the text sought for clarity and purity in the pursuit of their prompt engineering endeavor. Rather than rushing into the task blindly, the protagonist puts in the effort to find the best possible solution, utilizing the resources they have available to them. This is an example of saucha, of effortless action that is taken with a focused thought of clarity.
In conclusion, the textual interpretation connects to the values of Iyengar Yoga through the embodying of ahimsa, grounding ourselves in the present moment, and practicing saucha. By taking the journey into prompt engineering as an example of the Iyengar Yoga principles, we can gain insight into a process that requires mindful contemplation and contemplation that understands the importance of grounding ourselves in the now.
New Conversation
Hide Full Comment
New Conversation
At the time, no one was talking about prompt engineering, though its roots go all the way back to the dawn of computing in the 1950s and the advent of both artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning. Over the last few years, advances in natural language processing (NLP) have accelerated the development of prompt engineering to the point that businesses can now quickly and easily generate copy using AI tools.
New Conversation
Hide Full Comment Hide Thread Detail
Prompt engineering is increasingly being used by businesses large and small across many different industries. Examples include:
1. Automotive industry: Automotive companies can use prompt engineering to quickly generate copy for vehicle descriptions, sales materials and repair instructions.
2. Banking and finance industry: Banks andother financial institutions can generate customer contracts, financial reports and loan applications through prompt engineering.
3. Hospitality industry: Hotels, restaurants and other hospitality businesses can generate copy for menus, reviews, and customer recommendations with prompt engineering.
4. Retail industry: Retailers can generate copy for product descriptions, digital advertisements and email campaigns with prompt engineering.
5. Education industry: Schools and universities can generate copy for academic papers and textbooks with prompt engineering.
New Conversation
Hide Full Comment Hide Thread Detail
In this passage, the author writes, “Prompt engineering is increasingly being used by businesses large and small across many different industries,” which seems to suggest that prompt engineering can apply to many aspects of business. How can prompt engineering be used to streamline the workflow of a company, and how has its implementation changed the traditional roles of CIOs and other corporate executives? What other advantages does this technology provide to companies, and what potential issues might organizations need to consider when implementing a prompt engineering system? Lastly, how do the various industries mentioned make use of prompt engineering and how might other industries benefit from this technology? Are there any other themes or applications that could be explored in relation to prompt engineering and its use in business?
New Conversation
Hide Full Comment
I’m the Tech Liaison for the New York City Writing Project. I… (more)
I’m the Tech Liaison for the New York City Writing Project. I… (more)
In this passage, the author writes “I didn’t like the stress of freelancing and this seemed fascinating to me.”, which seems to suggest that the author was motivated by a desire for a change. How might this desire for a change be interpreted as a sign of personal growth? What other themes might this text explore beyond the theme of personal growth? Is it possible to glean something from this text about setting priorities in life? What lessons can be learned from this text about the risks and rewards of taking risks? Finally, are there any other themes that might be explored in the text?
New Conversation
Hide Full Comment
This example of collaborative people management is evident in the way that the founder of the company offered advice and guidance to the person who was hired as a contractor. The founder provided the guidance that helped the individual understand the requirements of the job, allowing them to develop a solution which eventually resulted in a full-time job offer. This demonstrates that the founder was willing to work collaboratively with the person they had hired to ensure that the best outcome was achieved both for their business and for the employee.
New Conversation
Hide Full Comment
The strategy of utilizing the expertise of these three powerful and influential women can help empower the community by providing knowledge, advice, and guidance within their various areas of expertise. These women are each respected authorities in their own right and can offer invaluable insight into the various topics and issues facing the community. Their words and advice can serve as a powerful force for positive change, as their combined wisdom can help individuals learn and grow in ways that wouldn’t be possible alone. Additionally, their words and advice can help the community come together and create a sense of unity and collective support as everyone works for common goals.
New Conversation
Hide Full Comment
For centuries, it was believed that a wise old alchemist living in a hidden cavern was responsible for providing guidance to mankind. In an effort to unlock the secrets of his wisdom, many came seeking the alchemist’s advice. But each journey proved fruitless—the alchemist had carefully crafted tricks and illusions to keep his secrets safe.
One day, a group of brave adventurers set out in search of the alchemist’s hidden sanctuary. After months of searching, they finally stumbled upon a mysterious entrance. Curiosity drove the adventurers through the entrance and deep into a dark and winding cave. After hours of navigating the twists and turns, they emerged into a majestic chamber filled with sparkling gems and ancient knowledge. In the center of the chamber, the adventurers found the alchemist himself, as old as the secrets he kept safe.
The adventurers were in awe of the alchemist and his vast knowledge. They asked for his guidance and, in response, the alchemist told them an incredible folk tale. He described a magical cave that held the answers to all of mankind’s questions. With one simple task, he warned, the brave adventurers could unlock the secrets of the cave.
The alchemist presented the adventurers with a challenge: to obtain the key to the cave by searching the darkest corners of the world. He assured them that the key was hidden in a place they would least expect; those who sought the key with a pure heart and a strong will would succeed. After hearing the alchemist’s story, the adventurers set out to find the key.
For weeks, the adventurers combed through the darkest places on earth in search of the key. Finally, after much effort and hardship, they stumbled upon the magical cave that held the secrets to mankind’s questions. The adventurers eagerly stepped into the cave and retrieved the key but found that a magical force barred their entry.
Realizing the importance of the key to the cave, the adventurers decided to split the key and each take a part. They let their courage lead the way and jointly faced the magical force. With great faith they offered the key to the force and the magical barrier disappeared. The adventurers stepped into the cave and found the answers to mankind’s most profound questions. Ever since, the brave adventurers of this folk tale have guided us all in the paths of wisdom.
New Conversation
Hide Full Comment
I’m the Tech Liaison for the New York City Writing Project. I… (more)
I’m the Tech Liaison for the New York City Writing Project. I… (more)
New Conversation
The three women’s strategies could provide powerful insight for any aspiring author looking to create a better representation of black culture. Maya Angelou is famed for her pithy and inspiring poetry, Angela Davis for her empowering and insightful speeches, and Toni Morrison for her narratives that examine critically the issues faced by black people in the United States and throughout the world. Such strategies could be powerful tools for anyone hoping to evoke a sense of understanding and progress through their writing. When utilized, this approach can help create stories that influence insight, realism, and progress. This approach may be seen as part of a larger movement that informs the black community and allows them a platform to express the realities of their everyday lives.
New Conversation
Hide Full Comment Hide Thread Detail
Use Maya Angelou and Toni Morrison’s literary tendencies to respond to the question
New Conversation
Hide Full Comment Hide Thread Detail
.
Is thought more than simple words and phrases?
Can thoughts manifest in complex ways?
In expansive tones and poetic rages
Thoughts and sentiments become displayed
Does thought embrace the athlete’s phrases
And delve in a world of possibilities?
Analyzing and connecting in various ways
Forming lasting memories and immortalities
Sometimes our thoughts can be too deep
Ranged in complexities we can’t even seep
Yet, in our minds, profound memories we keep
A lucid vista, only our thoughts can sweep
Sometimes, thought can appear unclear
Questions and answers, that can only be portrayed by a tear
Explained by diligent thought, our questions may disappear
Dreams and questions, housed in the same sphere.
New Conversation
Hide Full Comment
One option for the writer is to follow the example of these three women, using their strategies of expression to create literature that seeks to influence, empower, and open a dialogue within their readers.
New Conversation
Hide Full Comment
Is there something circular about the idea of a prompt writer writing prompts to optimize the prompts that will potentially be written by some future user?
New Conversation
Hide Full Comment Hide Thread Detail
Rabbi Yonah ruled, “This sentence speaks to a process in which the prompt-writer is creating a closed loop of research and development in order to optimize the prompts that others may eventually create, which is indeed circular in nature. This concept can be likened to the teachings of the Talmud, where we are engaged in an iterative process of learning and discussion in order to gain a deeper understanding of the language of Torah.”
Rabbi Shimon replied to Rabbi Yonah, "I disagree. While it is true that prompt-writers are creating a closed loop of research and development, it does not necessarily imply a sense of circularity, but rather may imply a sense of ongoing exploration and an iterative process. By exploring the possibilities and meanings of a prompt, the prompt-writer is engaging in a process of discovery.”
Rabbi Yosef weighed in, “I believe that the essence of Rabbi Yonah and Rabbi Shimon’s arguments is that the task of prompt-writing is circular in its nature. Even if the process of exploration and discovery suggested by Rabbi Shimon is highlighted, a sense of circularity still pervades the statement. Perhaps it is true that exploration and discovery are necessary for the prompt-writer to gain a deeper understanding of the language of the prompt, however it is the iterative nature of the prompt-writing which gives the task its underlying sense of logic and structure, and thus a sense of circularity.”
New Conversation
Hide Full Comment
Rabbi Avrahom: When she talks about “subdividing her work into categories,” it seems clear that she is dividing her tasks into separate areas – those related to engineering models, those related to advising on how the models behave, and so on.
Rabbi Mordechai: But maybe she has a deeper meaning, one of understanding the nature of the work itself. Perhaps the categories are a way of understanding the full scope of her work, and in that way can give her insight into which tasks to tackle first, second, and so on.
Rabbi Baruch: I agree with Rabbi Mordechai. Rather than simply dividing the tasks into categories, she may be looking for a way to gain insight into the inherently complex nature of her work. Doing so can help her to prioritize tasks more effectively. She can also gain a clearer understanding of which tasks require more expertise and dedication, and which tasks can be delegated to someone else.
Rabbi Avrahom: However, we should not discount the possibility that the message is as straightforward as she has stated. Perhaps she is simply dividing the work into sections and is looking to find an efficient way to go about it.
All agree: In either case, it is important to first understand fully the scope of the work and its part. Doing so will allow her to both prioritize tasks and to form an approach for successful execution of each task.
New Conversation
Hide Full Comment
Is there really a difference between the literary and analytic thinking here? Are both rooted in the imagination, or do they draw on separate cognitive faculties?
New Conversation
Hide Full Comment Hide Thread Detail
Rabbi Itzhak: “The literary and analytic thinking methods are not entirely separate cognitive processes. Although they may have different entrance points, both require a certain degree of imagination to execute correctly. Through literature, one imagines a certain set of circumstances surrounding a text being read, which often inspires an analytic reaction to break it down into component parts for further investigation. An analytic thinker might develop a framework of understanding but need imagination to extrapolate that framework farther in order to make sense of it all. Imagination functions as a bridge between the two activities, allowing one to use the available information to formulate new understandings.”
Rabbi Elizur: “I respectfully disagree with Rabbi Itzhak. I certainly agree that imagination is required for both literary and analytic thought, yet I believe they draw on different cognitive faculties. Literary thought requires a greater imaginative range and emotive capacity, while analytic thought requires a greater logical capacity and show of technical knowledge. Therefore, while the two may share imaginative qualities, they cannot be considered one and the same cognitive function.”
Rabbi Chaim: “I propose that both literary and analytic thinking require a rigorous imaginative approach. Through literary thought, one creates a sense of atmosphere and contextualizing which fuels their need to explore the text in an analytic way. Analytic thinking then allows an imaginative sense of discovery to further expand the boundaries of understanding. Therefore, imagination functions as a conduit between both modes of thinking, allowing them to become more closely connected.”
New Conversation
Hide Full Comment
Eternity is in love with the creations of time.
Eternity is in love with the creations of time.
New Conversation
Hide Thread Detail
Eternity is in love with the creations of time.
Eternity is in love with the creations of time.
1. Mad Scientist: The mad scientist metaphor evokes an image of someone who is overly involved and heavily invested in their work, perhaps to the point where they are seen as not quite sane or normal.
2. Dumb Idea: The dumb idea metaphor suggests that the idea is so foolish that it is almost unthinkable and far from being realistic or feasible.
3. Obsessive Language Approach: The obsessive language approach metaphor highlights the idea that the person in question is so focused and so intense in their language that it almost has an air of obsession.
Found Poem:
Mad Scientist, intense and invested;
Dumb Idea, foolish and dreaming;
Obsessive Language Approach, intense and devoted.
Able minds creating a work of art,
Sacrificing sanity to unlock the key;
Undertaking work too bold for heart.
New Conversation
Hide Full Comment
I’m the Tech Liaison for the New York City Writing Project. I… (more)
I’m the Tech Liaison for the New York City Writing Project. I… (more)
We can really apply the principles of Iyengar Yoga to this text when considering why the author likes this job. By looking at the alignment between the unpredictable aspects of the job and her attention to detail when changing and testing individual prompts, we can begin to get a clearer picture of why she may enjoy the work. We can also look at the sequencing of the text itself to understand the importance the author places on precision, and how this may be a contributing factor to her satisfaction with the job. By timing her response to the new language models that come out, we can gain insight into how discipline with her work is key for her continuing success. Lastly, considering the use of props in this instance could be helpful in understanding why she might like the job. We can look for evidence of her attention to detail, and the use of props like blocks and straps to bridge gaps in understanding new language models. Re-reading this text with these principles in mind could potentially reveal new insights we hadn’t considered before.
New Conversation
Hide Full Comment
—they can help you create a vivid image in your reader’s mind. To illustrate, take a look at a few examples:
Stroll: To walk casually and with a leisurely tempo in a relaxed manner.
Saunter: To leisurely stroll with a springing step.
March: To go on foot with a regular, determined stride.
Strut: To walk proudly, holding oneself erect with a high degree of self-importance.
New Conversation
Hide Full Comment
Maya: As we grow and learn, we must pay attention to our verbs. In our actions, we use them to direct the momentum of our lives. In motion, we can control our outcomes.
Angela: We must act with intention. Our verbs determine the destinations we reach. We must be mindful of our language, as well as our activism.
Toni: We must understand that our verbs hold the key to unlocking our spiritual power. They give us courage to create a better world and allow us to manifest change. Let us use our verbs to draw on our divine energy, and discover our true potential.
New Conversation
Hide Full Comment
Maya Angelou: “We must trust our inner voices, while at the same time trusting the guidance of our deep feelings of truth. Our actions should be guided by these but we must remain aware of our emotional states as we go along our journey of personal growth.”
Angela Davis: “The only truly transformative path we can take is to create a society with greater justice that allows us to fight our oppressors and become the people we can be. We must take action and lead through our example, by our courage, and through the power of our convictions.”
Toni Morrison: “There is true power in the collective force of collaboration and respect among different people, different histories, and different paths. We must open our arms to one another and embrace our differences to make true change in this world.”
New Conversation
Hide Full Comment
General Document Comments 0