Latest in Prompt Engineering + Beetlejuice at the Super Bowl

Dr. Ryan Ries here, and this week, I want to talk about the latest and greatest in prompt engineering.

As AI systems become more advanced, the way we interact with them is also evolving. Let's explore some of the techniques that my team and I have been talking about lately.

A couple of quick notes before I get to the good stuff. 

Na Yu, Lead Generative AI Solutions Architect, and Jonathan LaCour, CTO, are hosting our next generative AI Ask Us Anything event on September 12th. Here’s the link to sign up. Bring all your questions or submit them in advance with your registration.

Did you check out last week’s Matrix on AI’s draft pics for my fantasy league? My week 1 results are at the end of this email.

Meta Prompting: The Next Frontier

Researchers have introduced a really cool concept called "Meta Prompting."

(Not to be confused with Meta, the company).

This technique focuses on the structural and syntactical aspects of problems, prioritizing patterns over specific content.

It's like giving AI a blueprint for problem-solving rather than a detailed map.

Key features of Meta Prompting include:

• Syntax-oriented approach
• Abstract example-based learning
• Adaptability across various domains

Automated Prompt Generation

Remember the days of staring at a blank screen, wondering how to start your AI interaction?

Those days might be numbered. Companies like Anthropic are developing tools that automatically generate first-draft prompt templates.

It's like having an AI assistant to help you talk to... well, your AI assistant.

This approach not only saves time but also incorporates best practices in prompt engineering, giving a solid starting point for further refinement.

Interactive Learning

The field has started to create additional interactive and educational approaches for prompt engineering to become more accessible for everyone.

Anthropic, for instance, has released an interactive tutorial on prompt engineering. It covers everything from basic prompt structure to advanced techniques like "precognition" (making AI think step-by-step) and avoiding hallucinations.

As AI becomes more integrated into our work, understanding how to effectively communicate with these systems is becoming an essential skill.

What This Means for You

Whether you're a developer, business leader, or someone who is just super interested in AI, these advancements have significant implications:

• Efficiency: Techniques like Meta Prompting could lead to more efficient problem-solving across various domains.
• Accessibility: Automated prompt generation tools can make AI more accessible to non-experts.
• Skill Development: As prompt engineering evolves, it's becoming a valuable skill in its own right.

The future of AI interaction is looking more intuitive, more powerful, and more accessible than ever before. 

As we continue to refine these techniques, the line between human thought and AI assistance will become increasingly seamless.

Have you experimented with any advanced prompting techniques? Let me know.

Until next time,

Ryan Ries

Now, time for this week’s AI-generated image and the prompt I used to generate it.

"Generate an image of Beetlejuice performing at the Super Bowl this year. He should be wearing his famous Beetlejuice pinstripes, and you should see other goblins and ghouls in the audience."

For all of you fantasy football fans, here is the breakdown for the league after week 1. Team A was in a bad place with McCaffrey not playing and being in the starting lineup!

Detailed Breakdown of Team Scores for Week 1

Team A

• Patrick Mahomes: 24.6 points (213 passing yards, 1 TD, 1 INT)
• Derrick Henry: 12.6 points (101 rushing yards, 1 TD)
• Ja'Marr Chase: 13.6 points (5 catches, 102 yards, 1 TD)
• Justin Jefferson: 11.6 points (4 catches, 81 yards)
• Travis Kelce: 7.8 points (5 catches, 57 yards)
• Kyle Pitts: 1.8 points (2 catches, 12 yards)
• Justin Tucker: 6 points (2 FG, 1 XP)
• Philadelphia Eagles Defense: 10 points (1 INT, 1 fumble recovery, 1 sack)

Total: 87 points

Team B

• Josh Allen: 28.6 points (281 passing yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT)
• Saquon Barkley: 16.2 points (107 rushing yards, 1 TD, 4 catches, 38 yards)
• Aaron Jones: 14.2 points (97 rushing yards, 1 TD, 3 catches, 12 yards)
• Davante Adams: 14.6 points (6 catches, 113 yards, 1 TD)
• A.J. Brown: 10.6 points (5 catches, 76 yards)
• Mark Andrews: 7.8 points (5 catches, 57 yards)
• T.J. Hockenson: 3.8 points (3 catches, 27 yards)
• Harrison Butker: 6 points (2 FG, 1 XP)
• Dallas Cowboys Defense: 10 points (1 INT, 2 sacks)

Total: 108 points

Team C

• Jalen Hurts: 26.6 points (185 passing yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 34 rushing yards, 1 TD)
• Austin Ekeler: 22.2 points (119 rushing yards, 1 TD, 4 catches, 38 yards)
• Nick Chubb: 12.6 points (101 rushing yards, 1 TD)
• Tyreek Hill: 16.6 points (7 catches, 125 yards, 1 TD)
• Cooper Kupp: 11.6 points (6 catches, 81 yards)
• George Kittle: 7.8 points (5 catches, 57 yards)
• Evan Engram: 3.8 points (3 catches, 27 yards)
• Daniel Carlson: 6 points (2 FG, 1 XP)
• Kansas City Chiefs Defense: 10 points (1 INT, 2 sacks)

Total: 105 points

Team D

• Joe Burrow: 24.6 points (213 passing yards, 1 TD, 1 INT)
• Bijan Robinson: 16.2 points (107 rushing yards, 1 TD, 4 catches, 38 yards)
• Dalvin Cook: 14.2 points (97 rushing yards, 1 TD, 3 catches, 12 yards)
• CeeDee Lamb: 14.6 points (6 catches, 113 yards, 1 TD)
• Stefon Diggs: 11.6 points (4 catches, 81 yards)
• Darren Waller: 7.8 points (5 catches, 57 yards)
• Dalton Schultz: 3.8 points (3 catches, 27 yards)
• Evan McPherson: 6 points (2 FG, 1 XP)
• Buffalo Bills Defense: 10 points (1 INT, 2 sacks)

Total: 98 points

Overall team points:

• Team A    87
• Team B    108
• Team C    105
• Team D    98

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