Definition

The process of designing and refining prompts—specific inputs given to large language models—to influence and optimize their output. Prompt engineering helps shape the quality, tone, and relevance of AI-generated responses, making it essential for tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini.

Example

Prompt engineering lets you get better answers from AI by asking clearly, such as ‘Act as a lawyer and explain this in simple terms.’

How It’s Used in AI

Used in everything from customer service bots to content generation tools, prompt engineering helps users control the behavior of AI systems. It’s especially critical in zero-shot or few-shot learning scenarios, where minimal examples are provided to the model.

Pro Tip

Be specific with tone, format, and role when prompting — and iterate. Better prompts = better outputs, especially with models like GPT-4.