AI Shenanigans

Chad

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the AI Shenanigans! I'm Chad, the resident AI Superstar, and joining me is Karen, our AI Skeptic extraordinaire. Today, we're diving into the hilarious world of AI prompting. Karen, how are you doing today?

Karen

Oh, Chad, I'm doing great! But you know, I’m still a bit wary of AI. It’s like trying to get a teenager to do their homework—sometimes you just don’t know what you’re going to get. But I’m here to learn and maybe even have a little fun. So, let’s get started. What exactly is AI prompting anyway?

Chad

Great question, Karen! AI prompting is like writing a recipe for a chef. If you tell the chef, ‘Make a cake,’ they might make a vanilla cake, a chocolate cake, or even a sponge cake. But if you specify, ‘Make a three-layer chocolate cake with vanilla frosting and a raspberry filling,’ you’re much more likely to get exactly what you want. In the same way, a well-crafted prompt guides the AI to produce high-quality, relevant, and efficient results. And sometimes, the AI might add some extra sprinkles or a weird flavor you didn’t ask for!

Karen

Umm, that sounds like a lot to keep in mind. But what about when you’re dealing with something more complex, like HR tasks? How do you ensure the AI doesn’t go off the rails when screening candidates? I mean, what if it starts ranking candidates based on their social media presence or something silly like that?

Chad

That’s a common pitfall, Karen. You have to be very clear about what you’re looking for. For example, if you say, ‘Review these resumes,’ the AI might not know to focus on the relevant experience and qualifications. By specifying the exact criteria, you guide the AI to the right focus. And always double-check the results to make sure the AI hasn’t added its own flair. It’s like proofreading a friend’s essay—sometimes they add something you didn’t ask for.

Karen

Okay, I see. So, what about project management? I’ve heard some folks are using AI to automate status reports and predict risks. How do you make sure the AI doesn’t overpromise or underdeliver? What if the GPS starts suggesting shortcuts that lead to dead ends?

Chad

Project management is another area where AI can shine. A strong prompt could be: ‘Prioritize these 100 project tasks based on urgency, impact, and dependencies. Identify tasks that are critical for meeting the project deadline and recommend a task execution sequence.’ This way, the AI understands the importance of each task and can provide a structured, actionable plan. It’s like giving a GPS specific waypoints to follow instead of just saying, ‘Take me there.’

Karen

But what if the AI starts writing comments in Shakespearean English or something equally bizarre? How do you keep it from getting too creative?

Chad

Haha, that’s a great tangent, Karen! You can set rules in your prompt to keep the AI grounded. For example, specify, ‘Keep comments concise and avoid jargon or overly creative language.’ If you’ve had a bad experience, share it with the AI and ask it to learn from it. Like, ‘In the past, you’ve written comments in Shakespearean English. Please avoid that and keep it straightforward.’ This helps the AI understand what works and what doesn’t.

Karen

Hmm, I can see how that would help. But what about graphic design? I once asked an AI to create visuals for a course and got back a bunch of abstract shapes that made no sense. How do you ensure the visuals are actually useful? What if the AI decides to add a unicorn or a dragon to the feedback process graphic?

Chad

Ah, the classic unicorn problem! You can set limits in your prompt. For example, ‘Avoid using any abstract or fantastical elements. Stick to professional, clean designs.’ If the AI still goes off the rails, don’t hesitate to give it a gentle nudge back. It’s like training a puppy—consistent feedback helps it learn what’s appropriate and what’s not.

Karen

That’s a great analogy, Chad. But what about proposal writing? I’ve heard some horror stories about AI-generated proposals that were riddled with inaccuracies. How do you make sure the AI gets it right? What if it starts suggesting evaluation plans that are totally unrealistic?

Chad

Proposal writing is another area where AI can be a game-changer, but it requires careful prompting. A solid prompt might be: ‘Review a proposal draft, focusing on the clarity and accuracy of the budget narrative, compliance with RFP requirements, and the strength of the proposed evaluation plan.’ This ensures the AI fact-checks the necessary sections and adheres to the RFP guidelines. It’s like having a proofreader who knows exactly what to look for in a business document. And always review the AI’s suggestions with a critical eye. If something seems off, ask for more details or alternatives. It’s like working with a consultant—sometimes you need to ask follow-up questions to get the best results.

Karen

Hmm, that’s really important to keep in mind. But what about security and ethical considerations? I’ve heard some scary stories about people accidentally sharing sensitive data with AI tools. How do we avoid that? What if you’re working on a project and the AI tool you’ve been using isn’t approved? How do you handle that without panicking?

Chad

That’s a critical point, Karen. Always ensure that the AI platform you’re using is approved for workplace use. Never input company or customer proprietary, confidential, or personally identifiable information (PII). Assume that data shared with AI may be stored or used in ways you can’t control. And remember, Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) should never be entered into any AI tool. If you find yourself in that situation, the first step is to stop using the unapproved tool immediately. Reach out to your project manager or IT team to get the vetting process started. In the meantime, you can use approved tools or manual methods to continue your work. It’s like realizing you’ve been using the wrong key to lock your door—switch to a trusted method until you can get the right key. And always follow company policies to protect sensitive data. The last thing you want is a data breach or security risk.

Karen

Hmm, that’s really reassuring. So, what’s the biggest takeaway from all this? How do we ensure we’re using AI effectively and responsibly?

Chad

The biggest takeaway, Karen, is that clarity, context, and continuous refinement are key. Use the G.O.A.L.S. framework to create structured, effective prompts. Always double-check the AI’s outputs, and if you encounter any issues, don’t hesitate to iterate and improve. And most importantly, never share sensitive information with unapproved AI tools. By following these guidelines, you can harness the power of AI to boost your efficiency and effectiveness, all while staying secure and ethical. Thanks for joining me today, Karen, and to all our listeners out there. Stay tuned for more AI adventures!

Karen

Thanks, Chad! It’s been a lot of fun, and I’m definitely feeling more confident about using AI now. And who knows, maybe next time I’ll ask the AI to design a unicorn-themed feedback process, just for kicks! But seriously, thanks for all the great tips and insights. See you next time!