A well-written prompt can improve a response. But a convincing response is not automatically a correct, safe, or useful one. The skill is in the whole process.
Choose the task before choosing the tool
Start by describing the problem, the audience, and what a useful outcome would look like. Decide whether AI is appropriate and identify the parts that require your own expertise.
Some tasks are better handled with a spreadsheet formula, a reliable reference, a conversation with a person, or a simpler workflow. Using AI is not the goal in itself.
Give context and boundaries
- State the objective and intended audience.
- Provide relevant, approved information.
- Specify the output format and useful constraints.
- Ask for uncertainties and missing information to be made visible.
- Define how you will check the result.
Verification is part of the work
Check important facts against reliable sources. Recalculate numbers. Inspect whether a cited source exists and actually supports the statement. Review generated code or instructions before relying on them.
The right level of review depends on the consequences. A brainstorming note and a decision affecting someone’s finances or health should not be treated alike.
Keep the human contribution visible
Make your own decisions, record meaningful corrections, and be able to explain the final result. Follow the disclosure, privacy, and academic-integrity rules that apply to your work.
Read the Tools page to understand how tool selection, clear instructions, and human review fit together - not just prompt writing.
An original learning guide based on the DAI Skills educational framework. Apply the guidance to your own context and relevant professional or institutional requirements.