Sharing a solution that lives in your head with AI can be surprisingly difficult. But these two key principles have really helped me get closer to the results I strive to achieve.
It’s this idea of disciplined creativity.
Disciplined creativity is the sweet spot between structure and imagination. And AI thrives in the sweet spot between structure and imagination.
AI’s responses are creative, organic, yet articulate and structured. But the seemingly infinite space it operates within is too broad. The results include incorrect and hallucinogenic responses. So let’s define the space that AI must operate within. The closer it understands what’s in your head, the closer it can think with you.
This principle has changed the way I’ve been prompting my AIs. I don’t ask for solutions, I design the conditions that shape them and the outcome we want to achieve. I set boundaries, define intent, and give context.
When writing prompts I keep these two things in mind:
1. Restrictions breed creativity.
- Give AI your constraints. Tell it what you don’t want. What it shouldn’t do. What you don’t want to see. Define the domain it should be operating within. Set the stage, the boundaries, the box it lives in.
2. Requirements reinforce discipline.
- Next, what are the non-negotiables? The requirements of what must live in the box. Be explicit about what matters. This tells the AI the core components needed in your solution.
We’ve now set the stage and set the bar. Let’s let AI live in this space for a moment and it’ll Tetris your requirements into your restrictions. Be inspired by the output you receive.
And before you submit your prompt, end it with this:
Before you provide me a solution, ask me key questions that will make sure we are on the same page.
AI prompting is as much of an art as it is form. These two principles help define this art form.