Text- and image-based GenAI tools can help you solve problems, analyze data, and create innovative solutions. These tools work by receiving prompts to start or modify actions.
A prompt simply is a message or a command that you give to the GenAI tool to tell it what you want it to do. This page will help you get started using prompts for both text- and image-based GenAI tools.
Remember: The text-based GenAI tools that are most popular right now (such as ChatGPT and Google Gemini) are based on large language models (LLMs). These types of tools are not really subject matter experts. They're primarily great at language and content production and prediction.
For Stanford faculty and staff, you can try out what you learn with the AI Playground pilot.
Here are a few ways to use prompts with these types of tools:
For example:
For example:
Image prompts serve as the visual cues for the GenAI model to generate images based on your specifications.
A good rule of thumb is to include the subject, details, style, and format in your final prompt.
Take, for example, the below prompt progression, using Adobe Firefly:
In this example, we can see the changes from a simple start, to adding a mood and setting, then more detail and style, and exporting in the desired format (an image).
Now that you have the hang of prompts, learn a few ways to begin experimenting.
And of course, always keep in mind our Responsible AI guidelines as you go.