Most of us use AI the way that we use Google. We type in a few words and hope for the best: “Best vegetarian restaurants in Bristol.” Or “How to entertain a bored nine-year-old boy.” Then, we’re disappointed when the response is either blindingly obvious or wildly unhelpful. But the problem usually isn’t the tech, it’s that we’re too vague or knackered to explain what we actually need.
New models released over recent weeks (hello, ChatGPT 5.2, for starters) are far better at grasping what we’re asking for. They’re also less likely to make up stuff. But they still can’t guess your goal, so you need to be clear about what you’re trying to achieve.
That process is what people mean when they talk about “prompting”. It’s a term that’s been buried under tons of tech-bro nonsense, complete with ridiculous phrases like “zero-shot”and “chain-of-thought”. In reality, good prompting is far simpler than it sounds.
One simple hack is to get the chatbot to interview you first. Try adding this to the end of any request: “Ask me clarifying questions so you can give me the best result.” This ultimately turns what you get into something truly useful.
Show, don’t tell
Showing rather than telling is another top tip. This works well for, say, sorting an overstuffed wardrobe or messy spare room. Upload a photo so the chatbot can see what you’re dealing with, rather than guessing. The models can “see” and describe details incredibly well.
If you’re typing or talking (hit the microphone button in the chat bar), specifics matter just as much. Rather than typing, “Things to do with children indoors,” try “I need to entertain my six and nine-year-old children. We’ve already exhausted Lego, they’re not allowed more screen time, and I don’t have craft supplies beyond paper and felt tips. What can we do that won’t destroy the house?”
You’re basically giving the chatbot enough information on your specific situation to do a decent job. We had young visitors recently and it suggested something called “mystery bag drawing” (new to me), which kept them busy for a solid 45 minutes.
Focus on your goal
The old way of prompting was to give a task, such as “Chicken pasta recipe using these five ingredients”. That still works. But the newest models tend to respond better when you explain what you’re trying to achieve, and why.
A friend was spiralling about her six-year-old daughter’s birthday party. She’d left it late, had no theme, and wasn’t even sure how many children were coming. Rather than asking for a list of party ideas, I suggested that she try: “I want my daughter to have a fantastic birthday party but I’ve no time to prep. Ask me one question at a time, then give me a plan.”
She soon had a workable treasure hunt and a backup craft activity in case the children lost interest. For a brief, glorious moment, the mental load was someone else’s problem.
Give it a role
It sounds silly, but giving your chatbot a role can sometimes help. This pushes the model into the right corner of its vast digital brain and cuts down the bland waffle.
Last month, our boiler engineer failed to show up for the second time. No call, no apology. I needed to write a complaint that would actually get read. So I told ChatGPT to act as my consumer rights expert to write a brief, firm but professional complaint to the company.
I got a grovelling phone call, and had a refund within the week.
It works for emotionally tricky conversations too. A relative needed to talk to her elderly mum about accepting more help at home. Previous attempts hadn’t gone well. I suggested that she try:“You’re an experienced care worker who specialises in helping adult children talk to ageing parents about care needs. My mum is 82, fiercely independent, and gets defensive when I suggest she needs help. Help me plan what to say.”
She got practical tips on carefully framing the conversation, how to handle objections, and ways to give her mum a sense of control. A tough conversation, better worked through.
The real secret
Good prompting isn’t ultimately about clever tricks or specialist jargon. It’s about being clear, in detail, about what you actually need.
Be specific. Describe the outcome you want, not just the task. And if someone tries to sell you a course on “advanced prompt engineering”, save your money. Remember, your chatbot may have gobbled up more of the internet than you ever will. But it doesn’t know your family, your job, or why you’ve been avoiding that phone call.
You do. It turns out that was the skill all along.
Harriet Meyer has spent more than 20 years writing about personal finance before becoming somewhat obsessed with artificial intelligence
Illustration by Charlotte Durance