As I complete the first week of my AI course, I’m excited to share some key insights and experiences. The course has proven to be incredibly engaging, offering a solid introduction to the fundamentals of artificial intelligence and the practical use of large language models (LLMs).
Core Concepts Covered
Throughout the week, I explored:
- Common AI terminology and foundational concepts
- An overview of LLM-powered tools and how they function
- The concept of prompt engineering and how user input shapes AI output
- Limitations of current AI systems, including ethical considerations and the handling of sensitive data
Prompting Techniques: A Game-Changer
One of the highlights this week was learning about the diverse methods of prompting AI. I discovered ten distinct prompting techniques, each serving a unique purpose and enabling different types of outputs. Here’s a brief overview of each technique, along with examples:
1. Instruction-Based Prompts
These are straightforward commands given to the AI.
Example:
„Summarize this article in three bullet points.”
Use case: Ideal for tasks with clear directives like summarizing, translating, or formatting text.
2. Role-Based Prompts
Here, the AI is asked to assume a specific persona or role to tailor its responses.
Example:
„You are a career coach. Help me write a resume for a data analyst role.”
Use case: Useful for professional or domain-specific advice.
3. Few-Shot and Zero-Shot Prompts
- Zero-shot: No examples are given.
- Few-shot: A few examples are provided to guide the AI.
Example (few-shot):
*”Translate the following sentences from English to French:
- Hello. – Bonjour.
- Thank you. – Merci.
Now translate: - Good night.”*
Use case: Helps the AI learn from the structure or style of the examples.
4. Step-by-Step Prompts
These guide the AI to break down complex tasks into logical steps.
Example:
„Explain how to bake a cake, step by step.”
Use case: Ideal for tutorials, procedures, and learning scenarios.
5. Comparative Prompts
These ask the AI to compare or contrast two or more items.
Example:
„Compare the features of ChatGPT and Google Bard.”
Use case: Great for decision-making, reviews, or evaluations.
6. Creative Prompts
Designed to inspire storytelling, brainstorming, or creative expression.
Example:
„Write a short story about a time-traveling botanist.”
Use case: Best for writing, ideation, or art-related tasks.
7. Constraint-Based Prompts
These limit the AI’s response based on specific criteria such as word count, tone, or style.
Example:
„Write a tweet (under 280 characters) explaining quantum computing to beginners.”
Use case: Useful when working within specific guidelines or formats.
8. Context-Heavy Prompts
Provide rich background information to generate nuanced or informed responses.
Example:
„Given this job description and my resume below, write a personalized cover letter.”
Use case: Ideal for tailored content or professional writing.
9. Goal-Oriented Prompts
Focus on achieving a specific outcome or solution.
Example:
„Help me create a morning routine that improves focus and productivity.”
Use case: Useful for self-improvement, planning, or strategy.
10. User-Interaction Prompts
Designed to initiate an ongoing dialogue where the AI asks clarifying questions.
Example:
„Help me choose a new hobby. Ask me some questions to better understand my interests.”
Use case: This felt the most dynamic—closer to human conversation and coaching.
Real-World Applications
Equipped with these techniques, I was able to complete a few practical exercises using AI tools:
- Team Communication: Drafted a professional email informing my team about an upcoming project deadline.
- Personal Finance: Built a monthly budget, including options for short- and long-term investments.
- Life Planning: Created a detailed weekly plan with meal prep, leisure time, personal development goals, and work priorities.
Awareness of Ethical Boundaries
An important part of this week’s learning also focused on the limits and responsibilities associated with AI use. Topics included:
- The potential for bias in AI outputs
- The importance of safeguarding sensitive data
- Ethical frameworks guiding AI deployment in real-world settings
These discussions reinforced that while AI can be a powerful assistant, it must be used with mindfulness and integrity.
Looking Ahead
With just one week behind me, I already feel more confident in my ability to interact with AI in meaningful ways. I’m eager to continue exploring the evolving role of artificial intelligence in work and life. Week two, here I come!