Is prompt engineering a ‘fad’ hindering AI progress? [Video]

Is the art and science of prompt engineering, the refinement of instructions for generative AI, a good thing or a bad thing? Surprisingly, there isn’t universal agreement. 

Prompt engineering emerged by 2024 as an increasingly important user interface tool after the runaway success of ChatGPT in 2022 and 2023. The realization that shaping and crafting instructions for large language models and related technologies could achieve better or worse results made prompt engineering its own field of vibrant exploration.

Also: 7 ways to write better ChatGPT prompts – and get the results you want faster

Motivated by the belief that “a well-crafted prompt is essential for obtaining accurate and relevant outputs from LLMs,” aggressive AI users — such as ride-sharing service Uber — have created whole disciplines around the topic. 

And yet, there is a reasoned argument to be made that prompts are the wrong interface for most users of gen AI, including experts. 

“It …