Optimize Prompting for Better Results

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Be specific with artificial intelligence—and work with it like a partner.

Be specific with artificial intelligence—and work with it like a partner.

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How do you get started with artificial intelligence prompting to benefit the most from the technology? Michelle Lentz answers that question in "Partner With AI for Instructional Design."

How do you get started with artificial intelligence prompting to benefit the most from the technology? Michelle Lentz answers that question in "Partner With AI for Instructional Design."

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Think critically about why you're considering using AI—not every L&D challenge is appropriate. However, if your design challenge may benefit from enhanced efficiencies, design innovation, personalized learning recommendations, and data-driven decisions, an AI tool may be a good option.

Think critically about why you're considering using AI—not every L&D challenge is appropriate. However, if your design challenge may benefit from enhanced efficiencies, design innovation, personalized learning recommendations, and data-driven decisions, an AI tool may be a good option.

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Next, do you have the budget, time, and other resources to use AI? Do you understand ethical risks and biases? Many tasks will still require human oversight and validation.

Next, do you have the budget, time, and other resources to use AI? Do you understand ethical risks and biases? Many tasks will still require human oversight and validation.

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Then, define a problem statement, which includes the specific L&D challenge or opportunity, the significance of addressing it, audience, and any constraints such as budget or time.

Then, define a problem statement, which includes the specific L&D challenge or opportunity, the significance of addressing it, audience, and any constraints such as budget or time.

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If you decide to move forward,, communicate your needs to the AI tool via a prompt.

If you decide to move forward,, communicate your needs to the AI tool via a prompt.

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According to Lentz, a structured prompt has seven components:

According to Lentz, a structured prompt has seven components:

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  The role and goal. Narrow the AI tool's responses with specific objectives and perspectives.

  The role and goal. Narrow the AI tool's responses with specific objectives and perspectives.

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  Request. Establish the task you want the AI tool to fulfill.

  Request. Establish the task you want the AI tool to fulfill.

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  Context. Set a background story.

  Context. Set a background story.

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  AI persona. Influence the tone and relevance of the output.

  AI persona. Influence the tone and relevance of the output.

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  Format. Choose how the AI tool should present its response, to include bulleting, style, and end notes.

  Format. Choose how the AI tool should present its response, to include bulleting, style, and end notes.

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  Constraints. Share any limitations.

  Constraints. Share any limitations.

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  Examples. Provide examples for the AI tool to mirror.

  Examples. Provide examples for the AI tool to mirror.

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These tips were adapted from the February 2025 issue of TD at Work. Learn more at td.org/TDatWork.

These tips were adapted from the February 2025 issue of TD at Work. Learn more at td.org/TDatWork.