What is a prompt?
A prompt is what you type to an AI tool to tell it what you want: a question, an instruction, examples or background. The clearer the prompt says the task, audience, format and tone, the more useful the AI's answer is on the first try.
How does a prompt work?
The model reads your prompt as the start of a conversation and generates the most likely helpful continuation. Specific details in the prompt narrow down what 'likely' means, so the answer fits your situation instead of being generic.
Why does a prompt matter?
Prompting is the main skill for using AI well. Two people using the same tool get very different results depending on their prompts.
An example
Example: 'Write about Diwali' gets something generic. 'Write a 60-word Diwali greeting for my office WhatsApp group, warm but professional' gets something you can send.
Related terms
Learn it properly
A prompt is covered in Use AI Well, with short lessons, practice questions and instant feedback.