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Prompt Engineering for GenAI: Overview

The ability to design meaningful prompts for GenAI tools is one of the core competencies required to successfully use them, and this LibGuide is designed to introduce to the basics of prompt design. By understanding how GenAI works and by exploring differ

Contents

Decorative

What is this LibGuide about?

This LibGuide is designed to introduce to the basics of prompt engineering for generative AI (GenAI). The ability to design meaningful prompts is one of the core competencies required to successfully use for GenAI tools. By understanding how GenAI works and by exploring different prompting techniques, you will gain foundational skills for writing effective prompts. By the end of the LibGuide, you will be comfortable using prompting techniques to get the most out of GenAI across a variety of tools.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this LibGuide, you will be able to:

  • Understand the role of prompts in GenAI
  • Know the key principles for designing GenAI prompts
  • Be familiar with a variety of prompting techniques
  • Apply a strategic approach to prompt engineering
    • to reduce vagueness & ambiguity
    • to address bias & hallucinations

Overview: Terminology & Abbreviations Used Throughout The Course

Abbreviations & Terminology

  • GenAI = Generative AI
  • AI; GenAI; GenAI tool; AI model
    • nuanced differences, 
    • here: used synonymously
  • Prompt Chains = ‘Conversations’ with GenAI; Prompt sequences
  • Prompt Design vs. Prompt Engineering
    • terminological ambiguity
    • using them synonymously
    • ‘Prompt Engineering’ most established

Cited works & Further reading

The following resources, including LibGuides, videos & websites from several colleague Libraries in higher education were used to compile this LibGuide:

Briggs, L. (2024). Prompt Design For Beginners: Make the robot work for you. [LibGuide].  University of Victoria Libraries. https://libguides.uvic.ca/promptdesign

Hanze Hogeschool Mediatheek. (2024). AI in het onderwijs: prompt engineering. [LibGuide] Prompt engineering - AI in het onderwijs - Hanze Library Guides at Hanze University of Applied Sciences-Hanzehogeschool

Lo, L. S. (2023). The CLEAR path: A framework for enhancing information literacy through prompt engineering. The Journal of Academic Librarianship, 49(4), 102720. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acalib.2023.102720

McCue, R. (2024). Generative AI for Student Research. https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1Lo5T4f46W9E7MjyL2T7sN0UoO6ep4Jslr7Rm8KRe2I0

Miao, F., & Holmes, W. (2023). Guidance for generative AI in education and research (UNESCO Digital Library, p. 44). UNESCO. https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000386693

OpenAI. (2023). Prompt Engineering. OpenAI Developer Platform: Guides. https://platform.openai.com/docs/guides/prompt-engineering/prompt-engineering

Ray, T. (2023, September 15). Uh oh, now AI is better than you at prompt engineering. ZDNET. https://www.zdnet.com/article/uh-oh-now-ai-is-better-than-you-at-prompt-engineering/

Thompson Rivers University Library. (2024). Artificial Intelligence: A Guide for Students: Fine Tuning Prompts for AI Tools. [LibGuide]. Fine Tuning Prompts for AI Tools - Artificial Intelligence: A Guide for Students - Research Guides at Thompson Rivers University Library (tru.ca) 

University of Victoria Libraries. (2024). Prompt Engineering for GenAI: Beginner-Level Course. [LibGuide]. https://libguides.uvic.ca/Prompt_Engineering_Beginners_Course/Course_Overview  

Walter, Y. (2024). Embracing the future of Artificial Intelligence in the classroom: The relevance of AI literacy, prompt engineering, and critical thinking in modern education. International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Educaction, 21(15), 1-29. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41239-024-00448-3