At a time when AI becomes a core tool in every field, prompt engineering is becoming one of the many lucrative career options for young professionals. Unlike most coding jobs that require technical degrees and certifications, prompt engineering is a more versatile career path, accepting talents from both technical and creative fields.
This new field, which blends creativity with technical precision, is of core importance in making generative AI tools, regardless of designing chatbots or image generators. As more businesses race to integrate large language models (LLMs) into their workflows, the demand to hire professionals, who can effectively “speak” to these AI machines, is soaring. This then raises a critical question for many: what exactly is a prompt engineer, and is this the right career for you?
What is prompt engineering?
Prompt engineering is a field focused on optimising the output of large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT and Google Gemini. It requires meticulously crafting input prompts to get a desired response. Whether it’s a list of blog topics, product descriptions, or coding documentation, prompt engineers need to craft inputs that generate the desired response.
The role of a prompt engineer is all about bridging the gap between a human’s desire and what a machine can generate.
What does a prompt engineer do?
Prompt engineers, also known as AI or LLM prompt engineers, have a wide range of responsibilities. They are tasked with:
- Crafting and testing AI prompts to get the best possible outputs.
- Analysing AI-generated content to identify what’s missing or needs improvement.
- Considering the ethical implications, biases, and cultural sensitivities of both prompts and their outputs.
- Embedding AI prompts into software and applications to automate complex tasks.
- Working in cross-functional teams to develop AI-powered products.
This new career path is being adopted across various industries, including marketing, education, finance, and healthcare, as companies seek to harness the power of generative AI more effectively.
Should you pursue a career in prompt engineering?
While some sources suggest that quality standards for LLM outputs will rise, requiring even better prompt engineering skills, others argue that the need for meticulously engineered prompts will decrease as AI systems become more intuitive and better at understanding natural language.
However, for now, it’s a field with significant potential. It’s a great fit for those with an interest in AI technology and a knack for writing. You can get started by building your skills and applying them to real-world projects.
Educational requirements, skills, and salary
Given the newness of the field, there is no established educational path to becoming a prompt engineer. Some roles may require a bachelor’s degree in a related field such as computer science, data science, or engineering. However, certifications and specialised courses, such as those offered on platforms like Coursera, can also be a valuable way to demonstrate your skills to potential employers.
Key skills for a prompt engineer include:
Strong writing skills: The ability to write clear, concise, and effective commands and questions.
Knowledge of prompting techniques: Familiarity with methods like zero-shot prompting, few-shot prompting, and chain of thought prompting.
Understanding of end-users: Empathy and an ability to understand the needs of the people who will be using the AI system.
Technical knowledge: An understanding of different large language models and a foundational knowledge of machine learning and programming languages.
Data analysis and subject matter expertise: The ability to analyse data to improve prompts and a deep understanding of a particular industry or subject to craft more effective prompts.
Salary expectations for prompt engineers
While specific salary expectations can vary widely based on location, experience, expertise and industry, prompt engineers can usually earn an average of around $108,000 per year.
