25 Sneaky Tricks for Prompt to Bend AI to Your Will

Ever felt like your AI assistant is just not getting the memo? Well, buckle up, because we're about to dive into 25 cheeky yet effective ways to make your large language models (LLMs) work their magic for you. No need for a PhD in AI—just a sprinkle of wit and these prompting hacks.

1. Drop the Etiquette

Your AI doesn't care if you say "please." It's like talking to a vending machine—just press the buttons you want.

2. Know Your Crowd

Tell the AI who's listening, and it'll tailor the response like a chameleon changing colors.

3. Task Tetris

Break big tasks into tiny prompts. It's like solving a puzzle—one piece at a time.

4. Be Bossy

Use "do" and "don’t" to give the AI a clear path. It's like giving directions to a new driver.

5. Dumb It Down

"Explain like I'm 5" is your secret weapon for turning complexity into simplicity.

6. Fake It to Make It

Tell the AI you'll "tip" for a better response. It's like playing a game show where the host is an algorithm.

7. Show and Tell

Provide examples like a teacher with flashcards. It's the LLM version of "I'll draw you a picture."

8. Format with Flair

Start with '###Instruction###', followed by '###Example###'. It's like writing a recipe for the AI to follow.

9. Lay Down the Law

Phrases like "your task is" or "you MUST" set the tone. It's like telling a kid it's time for bed—no arguments.

10. Turn on the Heat

If "tipping" works, why not try a little "threatening" for unwanted outcomes? It's like saying, "Eat your vegetables or no dessert."

11. Set the Mood

Need a human-like tone? Tell the AI, and it'll answer as if it's your best friend at a bar.

12. Lead the Way

Encourage the AI to think step by step with phrases like "think step by step." It's like teaching a toddler to walk.

13. Stay Neutral

A simple reminder to avoid stereotypes can keep the responses neutral and fair, like a referee in a debate.

14. Test Drive

Teach a concept and include a test at the end. It's like a pop quiz to see if you've been paying attention.

15. Role Play

Assign roles like a teacher, friend, or expert. It's like casting a play where the AI is the lead actor.

16. Use Delimiters

They're like traffic signs for your prompts, helping to structure the input and output, like chapters in a book.

17. Repeat After Me

If you say something enough times, the AI will get the message—like a catchy jingle stuck in your head.

18. Chain of Thought

Guide the AI through a logical progression of thoughts for complex queries, like following a treasure map.

19. Prime the Pump

Start your prompt with the beginning of the expected response, like giving a comedian their first laugh.

20. Go Deep

For detailed responses, specify that you want all the necessary information included, like ordering a full-course meal.

21. Edit, Don't Rewrite

Improve grammar and vocabulary without changing the style, like a good editor refining a manuscript.

22. Code Connoisseur

For coding tasks that span multiple files, generate scripts to automate the process, like a chef with a kitchen full of prepped ingredients.

23. Start as You Mean to Go On

Provide the beginning of a sentence and ask the AI to continue in the same style, like a songwriter writing the next verse.

24. Be Clear, Be Specific

State what you expect in the response to set the AI on the right track, like a GPS giving directions.

25. Mimic the Sample

Create text that matches the style of a sample by using similar language and structure, like an artist doing an impression.

These tricks are your secret sauce to getting the most out of your AI interactions. So, go ahead, have a laugh, and watch your AI become the ultimate sidekick.

Disclaimer: Inspired by the scholarly article "Principled Instructions Are All You Need for Questioning LLaMA-1/2, GPT-3.5/4," by Sondos Mahmoud Bsharat, Aidar Myrzakhan, and Zhiqiang Shen. For the full scoop, check out the original article or the SuperAnnotate blog post. And remember, these tricks are just for fun—use them wisely!