The Trail: Activity #4
Mastering the Art of Prompt Engineering: A People-First Approach to AI Communication
Hey there! Jon Cline here. Welcome to the fourth stop on The Trail! After exploring AI transcription tools, Notebook LM, and CustomGPTs in our previous modules, I’m excited to dive into perhaps the most fundamental skill in the AI landscape: prompt engineering. And the best part? I’ll show you how to maintain your People-First power while mastering this essential skill.
What We’re Doing Here
Look, prompt engineering is everywhere now, right? Everyone’s talking about crafting the perfect instructions for AI systems to get exactly what they need. And that’s great! Effective prompting can dramatically improve your results with any AI tool.
But here’s the thing—and this is crucial—there’s a massive difference between mechanical prompt engineering and People-First prompt engineering. The former treats AI as a code machine to be precisely programmed; the latter recognizes that communication with AI is still fundamentally about human outcomes, human connections, and human values.
In this module, we’re going to explore prompt engineering, but with a twist. I’ll show you how to craft powerful prompts while maintaining your uniquely human perspective. As I like to say, “AI should be a cape on your back, not an escape from your life.”
What's in it for you? You'll walk away knowing:
The core principles of effective prompt engineering that apply to any AI system
How to craft prompts that enhance rather than diminish human connection
Practical techniques for crafting prompts that deliver consistent, high-quality results
The art of prompt iteration and refinement for continuous improvement
A framework for organizing and managing your best prompts (featuring gudprompt.com)
When to prompt AI versus when to rely on human judgment
What You’ll Need
Nothing fancy required here:
Tools
Access to any AI system (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, etc.)
Materials:
A list of 2-3 common tasks you’d like to improve with better prompts
Time:
About 45 minutes to experiment with different prompting techniques
That’s it! No coding required—just your brain and some ideas for how better prompts might help you work more effectively.
People First Prompts
Step 1: Understanding What’s At Stake
First, let me tell you a story that illustrates why this matters so much.
A few months ago, I was consulting with a marketing team that had fully embraced AI for…