Business & Software

When working with AI systems, the way in which we formulate our input plays a decisive role. In contrast to conventional search queries or conversations with humans, there are certain aspects that should be taken into account in order to achieve optimal results.

Stop words: Necessary or a hindrance?

So-called stop words such as 'the', 'the', 'that' or 'is' are ignored by most search engines as they are often not relevant for understanding the context. In communication with AIs, however, they can be helpful in certain situations to create a more natural and clear structure. Nevertheless, superfluous words should be avoided in precise, technical queries. Example: Instead of'Can you please show me the current weather in Berlin?', 'Current weather Berlin' is sufficient.

Say thank you to the AI?

It may seem strange, but many users tend to thank AI systems. While politeness is crucial in human dialog, it doesn't matter to an AI. It's not a problem to say thank you, but it doesn't help with the quality of the response either. If you want to reach a solution faster, simply leave out such phrases.

Targeted use of technical terms

The use of technical terms and precise language can significantly help the AI to deliver the right results. Especially in technical contexts, such as programming, it makes a big difference whether you use specific terms such as 'SSL certificate', 'MariaDB ColumnStore' or 'Docker container'. The more precise and targeted the input, the better the results.

Swearing: Venting frustration, or is it a problem?

Swearing or emotionally charged language can alleviate human frustration, but won't help the AI. In fact, such expressions could confuse the outcome, as the AI relies on clarity and logic. So, even if it's sometimes tempting, just leave out swearing. The AI will understand your problem better if you remain calm and structured.

The right choice of output format: Markdown, JSON or HTML?

Another important issue when working with AIs is the output format. Depending on the intended use, you can specify how the AI should structure its response. If you want a clearly structured but simple answer, Markdown might be the best choice. JSON is ideal for machine-readable data. If the output is to be displayed on a website, HTML is a good format. By specifically requesting these formats, you will get the desired result more efficiently and in a format that you can process further.

Build and expand questions

One of the most effective ways to get accurate answers from an AI is to build and expand questions step by step. Often a single, extensive query leads to inaccurate or overloaded answers. Instead, it makes sense to break down a complex question into smaller, simple sub-questions and then gradually add details. This has several advantages: The AI can address each sub-question specifically, and you have the opportunity to delve deeper into the topic as you go.

For example, a question like'Explain the concept of Docker and how to use it to build a containerization solution for a web app' might be too broad. It would be better to start with an initial question like'What is Docker?' and then continue with'How is Docker used for web apps? This technique allows you to guide the AI and the answers become more detailed and specific.

By building up questions as you go, you can not only ensure that you get the right information, but also better address ambiguities and further clarify the answers.

When it makes sense to open a new AI session

Sometimes it can be tricky to decide whether you should continue working with an existing AI session or open a new session. Both approaches have their pros and cons, depending on the context and complexity of your request. If you are working on an ongoing topic where the AI already has relevant context, it may be more efficient to continue using the same session. The AI already has an understanding of the previous course of the conversation and can provide more precise answers based on this.

However, it can also be useful to start a new session, especially if you want to tackle a completely new topic or notice that the AI is leaning in the wrong direction based on previous queries. New sessions provide a "clear start", where the AI works without any previous data. This can be helpful if you notice that the previous answers are not providing the desired results.

Another example of a new session is when you are working with a different type of query, such as when you switch from technical questions to general information. A clean separation of sessions can improve the quality of the answers, as the AI does not try to link irrelevant context.

The decision therefore depends on the complexity of the topic and the accuracy of the answers so far. If you notice that the old context is interfering with the new answers, it is advisable to start a fresh session.

Conclusion

Successful interaction with AI often requires more than just a simple question. It's about communicating clearly, precisely and purposefully. Whether by using specific technical terms, omitting stop words and emotional expressions or choosing the right output format - these tips will save you time and get you exactly the answers you need.

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