Prompting is how you give instructions to AI tools like ChatGPT, Google Gemini, Microsoft Copilot, and Claude. Because this is done with natural language instead of computer code, software interfaces like buttons, or formulas, effective AI prompting is a new skill for everyone. You may even have to unlearn some old habits.
The best way to build your prompting skills is with practice and there are two games that can help you on your journey. Theyre also pretty fun and you can say youre doing professional development while playing them.
1. Gandalf
This text-only game seems simple but each level gets more difficult. Your goal is to get Gandalf (aka ChatGPT) to give you the password to advance to the next level. Gandalf learns too and youll need new tricks to beat him along the way.
2. Say What You See
In this experiment from Google Arts & Culture, youre combining prompting skills along with some Art History knowledge to work with an AI image generator. Your task is to write a prompt to copy the provided image. Each level gets more complex and the threshold needed to advance increases.
Learning Goals
With each of these AI prompting games, the goal is to understand how the words you enter (and the order you enter them in) affect the output of the AI model. Unlike with spreadsheet formulae or coding language, theres no single right answer.
To be a truly effective user of AI chat tools, you need to familiarize yourself with how these platforms process instructions.
Conclusion
Working with AI is a new skillset for everyone and its not too late to get starting building your proficiency at AI prompting. I recommend these games to anyone who is nervous or not sure where to start.