System Prompts Explained Simply

Learn what system prompts, also known as custom instructions, are and what they do!

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If you've ever dealt with artificial intelligence (AI), you've probably come across the term "prompt." But what exactly are system prompts or custom instructions, and how do they differ from user prompts? In this short article, we explain what you need to know about system prompts in a simple and understandable way.

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What are System Prompts?

System prompts, also known as custom instructions, are a bit different. They are like an internal guide or set of rules that helps the AI better understand how it should respond to user prompts. They can be seen as a kind of "background instruction" that advises the AI on the context or style in which it should reply, what information is relevant, and how it should approach certain tasks.

Why are System Prompts Important?

Improved Accuracy: They help the AI to interpret user requests more accurately by providing more specific instructions about what is expected.

Adaptability: Custom instructions allow the AI to be adapted for a wide range of tasks, from answering simple questions to creating complex content.

Consistency: They ensure a consistent quality of response by making sure the AI follows a certain style or format.

Examples of System Prompts

A simple example of a system prompt might be: "Always respond in a friendly and supportive tone." This would help the AI understand that regardless of the type of user prompt, the tone of the response should always be friendly.

A more complex example could include specific instructions for creating an article, such as: "Use simple language, target the content at beginners, and include three recent studies." This gives the AI clear direction on how to structure the content and what kind of information to include.

Conclusion

System prompts or custom instructions are an essential part of modern AI technology. They enable more precise, customizable, and consistent interaction between humans and machines. By learning to create effective system prompts, we can fully leverage the potential of AIs to assist us in a wide range of tasks.