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Chain of Thought Prompting: Levelling Up Your AI Game (and More)

Authors
  • Name
    Callum van den Enden
    Twitter

Overview

This article explores Chain of Thought prompting in AI, its application in streamlining workflows, and the importance of clear communication for achieving personal and professional goals.

Introduction

The world's buzzing about AI. Rightfully so. It's changing everything. But beneath the hype, two core principles remain king: prioritisation and communication. Master these, and you're golden. This post digs into a powerful AI technique called "Chain of Thought" prompting, explores how it's reshaping workflows, and highlights why clear communication is your ultimate superpower. Because, really, what isn't solved by communicating clearly? (Not much, I reckon.)

Chain of Thought Prompting: Thinking Step by Step

Chain of Thought (CoT) prompting is like giving AI a roadmap instead of just a destination. It's about breaking down complex problems into smaller, logical steps. This allows the AI to "think" more like a human, leading to more accurate and insightful results. Instead of asking for a single answer, you guide the AI through a process. Think of it as teaching the AI to show its work (like back in school - but this time, the AI’s homework actually helps you).

How CoT Works

Imagine asking an AI to predict the stock market. A simple prompt might be: "Will the price of Acme Corp go up or down tomorrow?" A CoT prompt would look more like this:

  1. Analyse Acme Corp's latest financial reports.
  2. Consider current market trends impacting Acme Corp's industry.
  3. Evaluate recent news and announcements related to Acme Corp.
  4. Based on the above, predict the likely direction of Acme Corp's stock price tomorrow.

See the difference? You're guiding the AI through the reasoning process, not just demanding an answer.

Why CoT Matters

CoT is a game-changer for several reasons:

  • Improved Accuracy: By breaking down the problem, the AI is less likely to hallucinate or make illogical leaps.
  • Better Explainability: The step-by-step process makes the AI's reasoning transparent and understandable. (No more black box magic!)
  • Enhanced Problem Solving: CoT allows AI to tackle more complex and nuanced challenges.

Where it doesn't work

When deployed in an application, CoT is more difficult than just chatting back and forth.

I wrote about this in simple prompting tips:

For example, if you are generating something that will be shared with an audience, you don't want the step-by-step thinking in there.

The common trope of saying "Think step by step" does work, but only if it's a part of the ouput you're looking for.

It's great for manually iterating the output, but to automate this you would need some fancier techniques in conjunction, for example:

  • Asking the thoughts to be put in tags, then filtering these out programmatically
  • Multi-shot prompting, where you simulate your iteration by passing the initial output back to the AI.

Streamlining Workflows with AI

AI, especially with techniques like CoT, is revolutionising workflows across industries. It's not just about automation; it's about empowering humans to do more, faster, and better. (Who wouldn't want that?)

AI-Native Workflows

The latest generation of software isn’t just AI-augmented; it’s AI-native. These tools are built from the ground up around AI capabilities, offering seamless integration and a whole new level of functionality. Think of it as designing a car around an electric motor from the beginning instead of trying to retrofit an old petrol engine.

Real-World Examples

  • UI/UX Design: Generative AI is transforming how we design interfaces. Tools like Galileo and Vercel are enabling rapid prototyping and bridging the gap between design and implementation. (Finally, designers and developers speaking the same language!)
  • Content Creation: AI is automating repetitive tasks like content generation and editing, freeing up human creators to focus on strategy and creativity. Tools like Brand Ninja (my own company!) help build autonomous AI teammates for content generation.
  • Workflow Automation: Platforms like Asana and Slack are using AI to automate complex workflows, from project management to customer service.

The Importance of Clear Communication

Whether you're working with AI or humans (or both!), clear communication is crucial. It's the foundation of effective teamwork, problem-solving, and leadership. (Basically, everything that matters.)

The Power of Simplicity

In a world of jargon and complexity, simplicity is a superpower. The ability to communicate clearly and concisely is invaluable. (Think Warren Buffett explaining complex financial concepts in plain English. Everyone gets it.)

Key Communication Skills

  • Active Listening: Truly hearing and understanding what others are saying (even if you don't agree with them).
  • Empathy: Putting yourself in the other person's shoes and understanding their perspective.
  • Clarity: Expressing yourself in a way that is easy to understand and avoids ambiguity. (No more “lost in translation” moments.)

Bringing it All Together: Prioritisation and Communication

CoT prompting, AI-driven workflows, and effective communication all boil down to two fundamental principles: prioritisation and communication.

Prioritisation in the Age of AI

AI can help us prioritise tasks, identify risks, and focus on what matters most. But ultimately, it’s up to us humans to define our goals and decide where to direct our efforts. (AI is a tool, not a boss.)

I think prioritisation (alongside communication) is the highest-leverage skill anyone can learn. In a world with an infinite number of things vying for your attention, it's up to you to decide which ones to focus on. I've heard too many stories of people "waking up" at 50 realising they hadn't "spent their time" (interesting phrase, no?) where they wanted to.

I realised a few years ago that my to-do list was getting longer every day, and I was never going to finish it. So I made sure that I got the important things done. It comes back to that old saying:

If you need something done, give it to a busy person

Sounds counter-intuitive, but it's true. Prioritisation is the key to unlocking your potential. Communication is key to understanding priorities and showing your impact.

Communication as the Ultimate Multiplier

Clear communication amplifies the impact of everything we do. It enables better collaboration, fosters stronger relationships, and drives better results. (It’s the secret sauce to success, really.)

The future of work (and life, for that matter) hinges on our ability to leverage AI, streamline workflows (read, prioritise), and communicate effectively.

By mastering these skills, we can unlock new levels of productivity, creativity, and impact. (And maybe even have some fun along the way - ask ChatGPT to speek 1337 - then 133713R, and M04R 133713R...).

Claude speaking 1337 XDXDXD