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Spell workshop: talking to AI well

About this app

A vague wish to the AI opens a wide fog of possible answers. Every building block in the spell condenses it until a clear beam hits the target: for whom, goal, role, example, form and limits. Four everyday cases with an example answer before and now, magic as a conversation in rounds and a counter-spell against private data in the spell.

With explain mode: an AI tutor walks you through the app, points out what matters in the scene and answers your questions.

Why a good instruction helps

An instruction to an AI is called a prompt. A vague wish leaves countless possible answers open, and the AI takes whatever usually fits. It cannot read your mind. The more it learns about the situation, the goal and the form you want, the better the answer hits. You need no jargon for this. Write the way you would talk to a person, and improve the answer step by step in conversation.

What the app shows

On the left you build a spell to the AI from building blocks; at the top right floats a fog of points of light. Each point is a possible answer. Each block condenses the fog: context, goal, role, example, form and limits. With enough blocks a clear beam hits the target. Below is an example answer, once for the bare wish and once for the finished spell. The fog is a picture of the many possible answers; the answers are prepared.

Try it yourself

Choose one of four everyday cases: a birthday, the property management, a trip or a recipe. Add blocks, take them out again or change their order, and compare the answer before and now. In the mode “In conversation” you improve round by round, for example with “shorter”. The counter-spell shows what happens to private details: names, addresses or health data go to the AI provider and do not make the answer any clearer.

Frequently asked questions

What is a prompt?
A prompt is the instruction you give an AI, such as a question or a task. It can be a single sentence or contain several details: for whom, what for and in which form.
How do I write a good prompt?
State the situation and the goal, add a role and an example if useful, describe length, tone and structure and say what should not appear. The first attempt need not be perfect; you can refine it in conversation.
What data does not belong in a prompt?
Full names and addresses, phone and account numbers, passwords and health data, including those of other people. Describe the situation in general terms, for example “my neighbour, 80”, or use placeholders like [Name] and fill in the private parts yourself later.
Does the app run a real AI?
No. The answers are prepared examples. The app sends no input to an AI service.

Subject: Understanding AI

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