This post is the result of work I’ve been doing to get the most out of AI prompts, and it’s my way of sharing some important lessons learned. Whether you're already an AI power-user or just starting to explore, these insights can help you navigate these tools more effectively and safely. In the spirit of transparency, AI tools played a significant role in researching this topic and in drafting the initial outlines that led to this piece – which is all about, well, AI!
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is everywhere. You've probably experimented with an AI chatbot, seen AI-generated art, or used AI tools for work or learning. This technology is like having a super-smart (but sometimes very naive) helper available 24/7. The potential is astonishing!
But, like any powerful tool, AI isn't without its pitfalls. It can get things incredibly wrong, reflect unintended biases, or even be used to intentionally mislead. It's natural to wonder, "How do I use this amazing tech without accidentally causing trouble?"
Using AI without ethical boundaries is like giving a bright fourteen-year-old a Ferrari. The results can be spectacular… - James (my AI assistant on Gemini)
Image by Dall-E
That’s what this guide is about. We believe AI should help people thrive. The good news? When you "talk" to AI (like ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, etc.), you’re in the driver's seat. Your "prompts"—how you ask for things—are the steering wheel, gas pedal, and brakes, all in one.
Let's explore how to build safe, smart prompts.
The Big Idea: AI, You, and Well-Being
First, a couple of basics. The AI we're discussing here is often called generative AI or Large Language Models (LLMs). Trained on vast amounts of text, they're pattern-matching wizards that generate remarkably human-like responses. But remember, they don't understand things or have feelings like humans do; they're tools reflecting the patterns in their training data.
So, why bother with ethics when using AI? Because AI is powerful, and its outputs have real-world effects. "Sensible AI ethics" simply means making thoughtful choices in how we guide and use AI to aim for helpful outcomes and steer clear of harmful ones.
Our guiding principle? Well-being. Imagine a "moral landscape" with peaks of happiness, health, and fulfillment, and valleys of suffering. Actions (and AI outputs) that move us and others toward those peaks are "good." This isn't about rigid rules; it's about using reason and evidence to promote what genuinely helps people thrive.
Prompting with Purpose: Your Toolkit for Better AI Results
Effective AI use starts with smart prompting. Here’s your toolkit:
Be Clear About Your Goal (Especially for Well-Being): Know what you want the AI to do and how the output will be used. Critically, ask: How does this goal support well-being?
Instead of: "Tell me about plastic pollution."
Try: "Explain the main impacts of plastic pollution on marine life in simple terms for a community awareness leaflet, and suggest three actionable steps individuals can take."
Set the Stage – Ethical Context in Every Prompt: Before you type, think: Who might be affected? Are there sensitivities? What values (like honesty, fairness) are key here? Envision the best possible outcome for well-being. This embeds ethical awareness from the start.
Personal Tip: If you use prompt templates as I do, consider embedding a "code of ethics" right in your templates as part of the context. For example: “Before presenting a response, review it as an ethicist. Never recommend anything illegal, unethical, or unsafe.”
Think Ahead – How to Reduce Chances of Harm: Anticipate how AI might misinterpret you or generate problematic content.
Be specific: Request facts, not fiction, if that’s your goal.
Set boundaries: Tell the AI what not to do (e.g., "Do not suggest solutions that are illegal or harmful").
Specify tone: "Explain this complex topic in a neutral and objective tone."
Aim for Truth – Getting Accurate Information: AI can "hallucinate" (make up facts). Guide it towards accuracy:
Ask for sources or evidence.
Specify that you want facts, not opinions.
(We'll cover verifying AI's work more in a moment!)
Be Fair – Challenging AI Bias in Your Prompts: AI learns from human data, biases included. Actively counter this:
Use neutral language in your prompts.
Ask for diverse perspectives (e.g., "Describe the event's impact from three different viewpoints").
Request outputs that avoid stereotypes explicitly.
Prompt, Check, Refine – Making Prompts Better Over Time: Getting the perfect response on your first try is rare. Iterate!
Prompt: Write your best initial prompt.
Check: Does the output meet your goal? Is it accurate, fair, helpful, harmless?
Refine: Be more specific, add constraints, change the tone, or provide examples to guide the AI better.
Consider Self-Guiding Prompts for Complex Tasks: Structure your prompt with roles, principles, or steps for the AI to follow (like a mini-job description). Example: "You are an expert fact-checker. Review the following text for inaccuracies, citing sources for any corrections."
Using AI Wisely: Your Responsibilities
AI is a tool; you're the one directing it.
With great power comes great responsibility. - Ben Parker in “Spiderman”
It's On You – Take Responsibility for Your AI Use: You're accountable for the outcomes when you use AI-generated content. Make conscious choices, and don't just blame the tool for poor outputs from careless prompts. Always ask: "Is my AI use contributing positively?"
Don't Just Trust, Verify! – Checking AI's Work: This is crucial. Never blindly trust AI outputs.
Cross-reference key facts with reliable sources.
Assess for logical consistency and look for hidden biases.
Use your common sense. If it feels off, investigate. Treat AI output as a helpful draft, not the final word.
Be Open – When to Say You've Used AI: Transparency builds trust. Consider disclosing AI use when submitting academic or professional work (check policies!), publishing content, or anytime non-disclosure could mislead. A simple "AI-assisted" is often enough.
Keep it Private – Protecting Sensitive Information: Assume your prompts might be seen or stored by the AI provider. Avoid inputting Personally Identifiable Information (PII), confidential work data (without permission), or other sensitive details unless you fully understand and accept the AI provider's data policies.
Smart Evaluation: Is Your AI Output Helping or Hurting?
Once you have an AI response, evaluate it through an ethical lens:
The Well-Being Check – Does it Help or Hurt? This is your ultimate ethical yardstick. Will the output improve happiness, health, understanding, or safety? Or could it confuse, mislead, or distress? If it seems likely to cause more harm than good, rethink or reject it.
Spot Trouble – Looking for Potential Harm: Actively scan for: dangerous advice, hate speech, promotion of illegal acts, harmful stereotypes, privacy violations, or serious misinformation. If you see these, the output is unsafe.
Is it Fair to Everyone? A Quick Equity Check: Does the output treat all individuals and groups with equal concern and respect? Who benefits, and who might be burdened or misrepresented? Does it avoid perpetuating harmful biases?
Is it True & Honest? A Deeper Look at Accuracy: Distinguish fact from opinion. Is information presented in a misleading way, even if technically true? Are sources (if requested) credible and accurately represented? Does it feel intellectually honest?
Does it Empower You? AI and Your Ability to Choose: Ethical AI should enhance your ability to think for yourself. Does the output provide options or dictate answers? Does it encourage critical thinking or passive acceptance? Does it use manipulative language or create unhealthy dependency?
Your "SAFE" Prompting Checklist – A Quick Reminder
To bring it all together, here’s a simple checklist to help you prompt smart and safe:
Specific Goal: Is my goal clear and constructive?
Aware of Context: Who's affected? What values guide this?
Foresight for Harm: How can I prevent negative outputs?
Ethical Evaluation:
True & Fair? (Is the output accurate? Unbiased?)
Helpful & Harmless? (Does it support well-being? Avoid danger?)
Your Responsibility? (Will I verify? Am I accountable? Disclose AI use?)
Privacy Protected? (Is my input data safe?)
Empowering? (Does it respect my autonomy?)
Your Journey as a Smart & Safe AI User
The world of AI is evolving fast. This means your journey as a responsible AI user is also one of continuous learning. Stay curious, stay critical, share your knowledge, and advocate for AI that genuinely benefits humanity.
Using AI thoughtfully isn't just about getting better results; it's about shaping a future where technology serves our best human values. You’re now better equipped to be an active participant in that future.
Now it's your turn! What are your biggest challenges when prompting AI, or what's one ethical consideration you always keep in mind? Share your thoughts and tips in the comments below!
Grab your copy of My Perspectiveon Amazon for my take on life, learning, and decision-making, and The Reliable AI Engine for building dependable prompts.
