Glossary · AI in business

Prompt

In short

A prompt is the instruction you give an AI, for example a question or a task for ChatGPT. The clearer the prompt, the more useful the answer.

Explained simply

A prompt is everything you type into an AI tool. It can be a short question or a detailed task with examples.

An AI does not know your company. It only knows what is in the prompt. A vague prompt therefore gets a generic answer. A good prompt names the role, the task, the audience and the format you want.

You can also ask follow-up questions and have answers improved. Working with an AI is a back and forth, not a one-off command.

What does this mean for your business?

Writing good prompts is a skill that can be learned. It saves time, because less needs fixing afterwards. Shared templates for recurring tasks make sense, such as quotes or replies to customers. That way the whole team works to a similar standard.

Always check the results, especially figures and facts. An AI can sound convincing and still be wrong. So a good prompt does not replace a careful review.

Frequently asked questions

What are some examples of prompts?

A weak prompt says: "Write an email to a customer". A better prompt says: "You work in customer service for a Viennese furniture retailer. Answer this complaint politely, formally and in at most 120 words."

How do I write a prompt?

Describe the task, the background and the result you want. Include an example if you can. Check the answer and refine the prompt in a second step.

What should you not ask ChatGPT?

Above all, be careful with data. Do not enter confidential data about customers, staff or health into freely available tools. An internal rule should set out which data is allowed.

How JJW helps

AI in business

In our hands-on AI training, your staff practise prompts on tasks from their daily work.

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Author: Jeremy James Wilhelm