Prompt Engineering
The practice of crafting precise prompts to effectively guide generative AI models toward reliable and high-quality outputs.
Prompt Engineering
Definition
n. The art and science of carefully crafting prompts and instructions to achieve optimal results from generative AI models.
At the intersection of creativity, language skills, and technical insight, prompt engineering has emerged as a critical skill. A thoughtfully written prompt can turn a chaotic AI response into precisely what a user seeks. The engineer shapes and refines input—often iteratively—to guide powerful models toward useful outputs, essentially acting as the interpreter between human desire and algorithmic capability.
Origins
The phrase rose in popularity shortly after the launch of GPT-3 and then exploded into the mainstream following ChatGPT’s release in late 2022. Once considered an informal practice among early users, prompt engineering quickly became formalized as a recognized skillset in job descriptions and industry standards.