A journalist who experimented with the ‘unicorn prompt’ on various AI chatbots has shared insights on how it addresses the primary issue with these applications.
Artificial intelligence, commonly referred to as AI, has become an integral part of our daily routines.
These tools, like ChatGPT, can be immensely helpful for both professional tasks and general inquiries. However, they do have certain limitations that need to be acknowledged.
In a piece for Tom’s Guide, Amanda Caswell explored how the main problem with AI platforms such as ChatGPT, Gemini, or Claude is their tendency to make guesses, which can sometimes lead to unhelpful advice.
In response, Amanda employed a specific prompt designed to encourage AI chatbots to slow down and generate more practical solutions.
She refers to this prompt as ‘unicorn’ due to its effectiveness across multiple AI platforms.
In her article, Amanda provided the specific prompt she uses: “Pretend you’re my assistant and you actually want me to succeed.
“Ask up to 3 questions if anything’s unclear. Then give me: the answer, the plan and the pitfalls. Keep it short and tailored to: [insert goal]. If you have to make assumptions, list them first.”
How might one apply the ‘unicorn prompt’ in practical scenarios?
Amanda outlined several real-world applications where AI chatbots can be beneficial, such as crafting an ‘awkward text without sounding weird’, organizing a trip efficiently, or composing a ‘friendly-but-firm email’.
The prompt is also handy for creating a realistic to-do list, calmly responding to a passive-aggressive message, and reducing monthly expenses without excessive sacrifices.
In her narrative, Amanda delved into why the ‘unicorn prompt’ is effective, highlighting three key ways it addresses AI chatbots’ major flaws.
Firstly, it promotes clarity by encouraging the chatbot to ask questions rather than relying on assumptions.
“That alone improves the quality of the response more than any ‘magic words’ ever will,” Amanda noted.
Additionally, the prompt offers a structured approach that avoids overwhelming users with large blocks of text, resulting in more reliable responses.
Lastly, the simplicity and conciseness of the prompt are crucial when utilizing AI chatbots.
Amanda remarked, “Most people don’t need a chatbot to write them a novel. They need something they can skim and act on.”