Learning the Art of Prompting: My Experience with AI Chatbots

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    I have used different AI tools in work-related context to review and develop training content, different presentations and executive summary preparation. In this class, I had the opportunity to explore different AI tools as someone learning how to communicate effectively with them. One thing became very clear, which is that the quality of the output depends heavily on the quality of the prompt. 

    This week, I used ChatGPT and Google Gemini to compare how different tools respond to similar prompts, and this helped me better understand how wording, structure, and specificity influence the results that the AI tools produce.

My Experience with Prompting

    At the beginning, my prompts were very general. I would ask things like “improve this paragraph” or “summarize this document,” and while the responses were helpful, they were often too broad or not exactly what I expected to see. As I watched the videos and  read the tips the professor shared this week, I realized that effective prompting is similar to giving a clear context, role and instructions to a colleague.

      The more context, detail, and direction I provided, the better the response became. For example, instead of asking for a general improvement, I started specifying tone, audience, purpose, and format. This made a significant difference in the quality and usefulness of the output. I also learned that prompting is an iterative process. My first prompt was not perfect. I often had to refine it, adjust wording, or add constraints to guide the AI towards the desired result.

What I Was Trying to Create (and Why It’s Useful)

    This week, I wanted to create a prompt to help me summarize a talent development program to be used in an employee communication campaign. In HR, we often design strong programs, but the challenge is in how we communicate them. This prompt was useful because it helped transform complex information into clear and concise key messages, employee-friendly language, and communication-ready content.

My Process for Developing the Prompt (and What I Learned)

    I started with a very simple prompt like: “Summarize this talent development program.” The result was accurate, but too general and not suitable for communication purposes. It felt more like a report than something I could use to engage employees. I then refined the prompt by:

1. Adding a specific role (HR communication specialist)

2. Defining the audience (employees)

3. Clarifying the purpose (communication campaign)

4. Specifying the tone and format (simple, engaging, concise, bullet points)

    Each time I adjusted the prompt, the output improved significantly. This process helped me understand that prompting is iterative. You don't get the best result from the first attempt.

Key insights from this experience:

- Be specific about what you want.

- Always define the audience.

- Give the AI a role to follow.

- Think about how the output will be used.

Treating the AI tool like a collaborator rather than a tool made a big difference in the quality of the results.

Final Version of My Prompt

You are an HR communication specialist. I will provide you with information about a talent development program. Your task is to create a clear and engaging summary that can be used in an internal communication campaign for employees. Highlight the key points, benefits, and purpose of the program in simple, concise, and employee-friendly language. Focus on what matters most to employees, why they should care, and how the program supports their growth and career development. Present the output as short paragraphs and bullet points suitable for emails, intranet posts, or presentation slides. Avoid overly technical or academic language.

Final Reflection

    This experience helped me realize that prompting is a practical skill and not just a task. Learning how to communicate effectively with AI tools can significantly improve productivity, learning, and the quality of work. Moving forward, I plan to continue refining my prompts and exploring how AI can support both my academic and professional development.

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