The quality of AI output depends heavily on input quality. Prompt engineering—the art of crafting effective requests—is perhaps the most valuable skill for AI users to develop. Small changes in how you ask can produce dramatically different results.
Be specific about format and scope. "Summarize this article" produces different results than "Summarize this article in three bullet points, focusing on practical implications for small business owners." Include relevant context the AI needs to give you a useful response. Specify the tone, length, and structure you want.
Use iterative refinement. Start with a basic prompt, evaluate the output, and refine your request based on what was missing or excessive. This dialogue produces better results than expecting perfection on the first attempt. And don't hesitate to ask the AI to improve its own output—"Make this more concise" or "Add more specific examples" often yields significant improvements with minimal effort.
Jennifer Martinez
Contributing writer at MoltBotSupport, covering AI productivity, automation, and the future of work.