🤖Prompting Techniques to Control AI Output
Tags: ai, prompting, promptengineering
Published: 2023-12-21 07:52:41

In AI, fine-tuning the output is essential, and that's where prompting techniques come in. Think of them as tools, each serving a specific purpose. In this guide, we'll explore key techniques using examples to show how they shape AI responses. 

Let’s get started.

## 📏Length Control
Length control lets you limit the response length by specifying a maximum token count. This ensures concise outputs. 

Example: "Describe what prompt engineering is in 20 words or less."
Response: "Prompt engineering guides AI models for desired outcomes in natural language processing."

## 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦Audience Control
Tailor responses for specific audiences or user groups.

Example: "Explain prompt engineering to a 5-year-old."
Response: "Imagine you have a smart robot friend. Prompt engineering is like teaching it the right words to understand and do cool things!"

## 🗣️Tone Control
Guide the AI to use a specific tone, such as formal, friendly, or empathetic.

Example: "Write a calm and empathetic email to a dissatisfied customer."
Response: "Dear [Customer], I understand your concerns about the product issue and sincerely apologize for any inconvenience caused."

## 🎨Style Control
Instruct the AI to respond in a specific format, like a table, bullet points, or headings.

Example: "Create a table with Username, Email, Date of Birth, and Phone for 10 entries."
Response: [Table with specified fields and data]

## ✍️Seed Text
Provide a starting sentence or paragraph to guide creative writing.

Example: "Write about AI with this starter: 'Many of you have seen movies where AI is out of control.'"
Response: "Many of you have seen movies where AI is out of control, portraying a world of chaos. However, real-world AI is far more nuanced..."

## 🔨Break into Subtasks
Split complex tasks into smaller, manageable steps.

Example: "Summarize 'The Shining' by Stephen King, focusing on publication year, genre, main characters, and plot."
Response: "Stephen King's 'The Shining', published in 1977, is a horror novel featuring the Torrance family in the haunted Overlook Hotel, where supernatural forces influence Jack's mental state, threatening his family."

## 💭Chain of Thoughts
Encourage a structured and interconnected flow of ideas on a topic.

Example: "Develop a marketing pitch for a new fitness app, starting with its features."
Response: "Our new fitness app offers personalized workouts, progress tracking, and certified trainers, helping you achieve fitness goals efficiently."

## 🚫👁️Avoid Hallucinations
Instruct the AI to produce accurate, factual content, especially where misinformation could be harmful.

Example: "Generate a reliable HTML/CSS snippet for a responsive navigation menu."
Response: [Accurate HTML and CSS code for a functional navigation menu]

## 🎭System and User Roles
Simulate context-appropriate interactions by responding as a specific user role.

Example: "As a customer support agent, address a product refund inquiry."
Response: "Thank you for reaching out about your refund. Please provide your order number and details of the issue for prompt assistance."

## ❓Clarifications
Encourage the AI to seek clarification on ambiguous or uncertain queries.

Example: "As a virtual assistant, ask for the user's location if they inquire about the weather."
Response: "To provide the weather update, may I know your current location?

## Over To You
You've learned key prompting techniques for AI output. To deepen your understanding, check out [Prompt Engineering Tips](https://oril.co/blog/prompt-engineering-tips/). This resource will broaden your prompt engineering skills further.

Continue developing your AI expertise, and remember, a community of AI enthusiasts is always there for support. Happy learning! 🌟