Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the way we study, work, and solve problems. But to get good results, it’s not enough to simply “use AI” — we need to learn how to communicate with it effectively.
That communication has a name: prompting.
A prompt is the instruction or message we give to an AI tool — such as Gemini, ChatGPT, or Copilot — to perform a task or generate content. The way a prompt is written directly influences the quality of the response we receive.
How to Write a Good Prompt
Be clear and specific
The more detailed your request, the better the result will be.
For example, instead of writing “Summarize this text,” you could say:
“Write a 150-word summary highlighting the main ideas and conclusions of the author.”
This way, the AI understands the purpose, length, and focus of the task.
Define the context or role
You can guide the model by indicating the perspective or role it should take.
For example:
“Act as a history teacher and explain the causes of the French Revolution in simple language.”
This helps the AI produce a response that is more coherent and tailored to the audience or level you need.
Specify the format you need
If you want the output in a specific format — such as a table, list, outline, or paragraph — make it clear.
For example:
“Create a table comparing three theories of work motivation, including author, year, and main ideas.”
Refine and iterate
The first result won’t always be perfect. You can improve your prompt step by step:
“Rewrite the text in a more formal tone.”
“Add current examples.”
“Make it shorter and more direct.”
This process, known as prompt engineering, allows you to learn and improve through practice.
The Importance of the Human Touch
Although AI is highly useful, it always requires human supervision and judgment. Models can make mistakes or generate incorrect information, so it’s essential to review and validate their output.
This approach, called human-in-the-loop, combines the speed of AI with the critical thinking of humans.
In Summary
Writing good prompts is much more than “talking to a machine.” It’s a skill that combines clarity, critical thinking, and creativity. The better you formulate your questions, the better your answers will be.
Mastering this new form of communication is, without a doubt, one of the most valuable skills of the digital age.