Prompt engineering is the art of crafting effective prompts for large language models (LLMs) to produce desired outputs. LLMs are computer programs that can generate human-like text, translate languages, write different kinds of creative content, and perform many other language-related tasks with impressive accuracy and fluency. However, LLMs need to be prompted with clear and specific instructions in order to generate the best possible results.
Why Learn Prompt Engineering?
There are many benefits to learning prompt engineering, including:
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Improved communication with LLMs: By understanding how to craft effective prompts, you can get better results from LLMs and make them more useful for your purposes.
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Increased productivity: Prompt engineering can help you to automate tasks and save time. For example, you can use LLMs to generate marketing copy, write code, or translate documents.
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Enhanced creativity: Prompt engineering can help you to think more creatively and come up with new ideas. For example, you can use LLMs to generate story ideas or create new recipes.
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Greater enjoyment: Prompt engineering can be a fun and rewarding way to learn about AI and natural language processing.
How to Learn Prompt Engineering
There are many ways to learn prompt engineering. You can read books, articles, and blog posts about the topic. You can also take online courses or workshops. Additionally, you can practice writing prompts by yourself or with others.
Online Courses on Prompt Engineering
There are many online courses available that can teach you prompt engineering. These courses vary in length, difficulty, and cost. Some of the most popular courses include:
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Prompt Engineering for Large Language Models (Coursera)
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AI Applications and Prompt Engineering (edX)
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Prompt Engineering and Advanced ChatGPT (Udemy)
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Building Production-Ready Apps with Large Language Models (FutureLearn)
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Prompt Engineering for Web Developers (Codecademy)
These courses can teach you the basics of prompt engineering, as well as more advanced techniques. They can also provide you with hands-on experience with LLMs.
Careers in Prompt Engineering
Prompt engineering is a relatively new field, but it is quickly growing. There are many job openings for prompt engineers in a variety of industries, including:
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Tech companies: Tech companies are using LLMs to develop new products and services. Prompt engineers are needed to help these companies get the most out of LLMs.
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Marketing and advertising agencies: Marketing and advertising agencies are using LLMs to create more effective campaigns. Prompt engineers are needed to help these agencies write better ad copy and create more engaging content.
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Media companies: Media companies are using LLMs to create more personalized and engaging content. Prompt engineers are needed to help these companies write better articles, create more engaging videos, and develop more interactive experiences.
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Education: Prompt engineers are needed to help educational institutions develop new and innovative ways to use LLMs in the classroom.
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Government: Governments are using LLMs to improve public services. Prompt engineers are needed to help governments write better laws, create more effective policies, and provide better citizen services.
Conclusion
Prompt engineering is a valuable skill that can be used to improve communication with LLMs, increase productivity, enhance creativity, and greater enjoyment. There are many online courses available that can teach you prompt engineering. With the right training, you can become a prompt engineer and use LLMs to achieve your goals.
Find a path to becoming a Prompt Engineering. Learn more at:
OpenCourser.com/topic/z1m6pv/prompt
Reading list
We've selected 24 books
that we think will supplement your
learning. Use these to
develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a
deeper understanding of the topics covered in
Prompt Engineering.
Provides a comprehensive guide to prompt engineering, covering techniques for crafting effective inputs to generative AI models. It's particularly useful for understanding how to obtain reliable and predictable results, which is crucial for both beginners and those looking to deepen their practical skills. This book is valuable as a current reference for anyone working with generative AI.
Focuses on the use of prompt engineering for natural language processing. It is written by Thomas Wolf, a leading researcher in the field of NLP.
Offers a practical, hands-on approach to prompt engineering specifically with ChatGPT. It's an excellent resource for high school and undergraduate students getting started, providing clear examples and exercises. It serves as a useful introductory guide and additional reading to complement foundational AI courses.
Provides a hands-on approach to prompt engineering with a focus on using the OpenAI API. It's particularly relevant for undergraduate students, graduate students, and working professionals who want to programmatically interact with LLMs. It serves as a practical guide for implementing prompt engineering techniques in applications.
Focuses on the creative aspects of prompt engineering and generating diverse language outputs. It's a good fit for students and professionals looking to go beyond basic prompting and explore more advanced techniques for creative content generation. It adds breadth by covering applications in areas like creative writing and podcasting.
This guide aims to make prompt engineering accessible with a step-by-step approach. It is well-suited for beginners and those new to the field, including high school students and those in introductory undergraduate programs. It provides practical tips and is useful for gaining a broad understanding of how to formulate effective AI prompts.
A comprehensive guide aimed at making prompt engineering accessible to a wide audience. It covers various techniques and applications for leveraging AI language models effectively. is useful for high school students through working professionals seeking a thorough introduction and practical guidance.
Focuses on the use of prompt engineering for recommendation systems. It is written by Masashi Sugiyama, a leading researcher in the field of recommendation systems.
This guide offers quick tips and tricks for prompt engineering across different generative AI models, including text and image generation models. It's a practical resource for users who want to improve their immediate results with various AI tools. It's suitable for all levels looking for actionable advice.
While not solely focused on prompt engineering, this book provides a strong foundation in understanding how LLMs work, which is essential for effective prompting. It's suitable for undergraduate and graduate students, offering technical insights into language understanding and generation. It serves as valuable background reading for those wanting to understand the underlying mechanisms of the models they are prompting. Expected publication in September 2024.
Explores prompt engineering within the broader context of generative AI and touches upon ethical considerations. It's relevant for all levels, providing a balanced view of the technical aspects and the societal impact of generative AI. It's useful for gaining a broader understanding and considering the responsible use of AI.
This handbook is geared towards engineers working with LLMs, covering the process from concept to production. It provides a deeper technical understanding of integrating and managing LLMs, which is relevant for prompt engineers working in a development context. It is best suited for graduate students and working professionals.
Focuses on the use of prompt engineering for education. It is written by Salman Khan, a leading researcher in the field of education.
Covers the use of prompt engineering for finance. It is written by Richard Roll, a leading researcher in the field of finance.
Delves into the technical underpinnings of generative models, which are the foundation of systems like ChatGPT. While not strictly about prompting, understanding these models at a deeper level is invaluable for advanced prompt engineering. It's best suited for undergraduate and graduate students with a technical background. It provides essential background knowledge for those seeking to truly master prompt engineering.
Covers the broader field of AI engineering with a focus on foundation models, which include the LLMs used in prompt engineering. It's relevant for professionals and graduate students interested in the engineering aspects of building AI applications. It provides context on how prompt engineering fits into larger AI systems.
This classic and widely-referenced textbook in the field of NLP. While it predates the latest advancements in LLMs and prompt engineering, it provides a foundational understanding of language processing, which is crucial for anyone serious about the field. It's highly recommended for undergraduate and graduate students as a comprehensive reference for core NLP concepts.
Focuses on the practical aspects of building NLP systems. While prompt engineering specific technique, understanding the entire NLP pipeline is beneficial for professionals. It's a good reference for those looking to implement prompt engineering within larger NLP applications.
Provides foundational knowledge about Large Language Models, including their architecture and how they generate text. Understanding these foundations is crucial for developing effective prompt engineering strategies. It's suitable for students and enthusiasts looking for a clear explanation of the technology behind LLMs.
Widely used introduction to NLP using the NLTK library in Python. It's excellent for beginners and undergraduate students to gain practical skills in processing and analyzing text data, which fundamental prerequisite for prompt engineering. It serves as a hands-on guide for learning the basics of NLP.
For those who want to understand the mechanics of LLMs deeply, this book guides you through building one from scratch. This is highly technical and suitable for advanced undergraduate students, graduate students, and researchers. A deep understanding of LLM architecture is beneficial for advanced prompt engineering techniques.
Is specifically aimed at educators but offers valuable insights into crafting prompts for educational purposes. It's relevant for anyone interested in using prompt engineering in a learning context. It provides practical strategies and examples for a specific application domain.
A foundational text in statistical NLP, this book provides the theoretical background necessary for understanding many of the techniques used in modern LLMs. It's a valuable resource for graduate students and researchers looking to deepen their understanding of the statistical underpinnings of language models. It is more theoretical and serves as a strong reference for advanced learners.
A beginner-friendly guide to using ChatGPT. is ideal for high school students and those new to generative AI who want a straightforward introduction to interacting with models. It focuses on practical usage and good starting point before diving into more complex prompt engineering concepts.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
OpenCourser.com/topic/z1m6pv/prompt