KB Sections:
Best Practices for Using AI
When using AI tools at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay (UWGB), following best practices ensures that you get the most from the AI while staying compliant with the university's guidelines. Below are some helpful tips and tricks:
- Edit Responses Instead of Typing Follow-ups
- Instead of repeatedly typing new follow-ups when the AI response isn't quite right, try editing the last message you sent. This prevents the AI from "digging in" and not following your original intent.
- Be Specific in Your Instructions
- The more specific you are with your request, the better the AI can respond. General instructions may lead to less accurate or even fabricated answers. While broad prompts are useful for brainstorming, they can produce less useful results for precise tasks.
- Use Examples to Guide the AI
- Providing examples can significantly improve the quality of AI responses. For example, if you’re asking for a list, provide a few items upfront to show the structure you want.
- Break Complex Tasks into Steps
- If your request is multi-faceted, consider breaking it into smaller parts. Complex queries might overwhelm the AI, leading to incomplete or incorrect answers.
- Rephrase When Stuck
- If the AI isn’t providing a helpful response, rephrasing your question or using different keywords often leads to better outcomes.
- Limit the Use of Jargon
- AI tools work better when using plain language. Avoid using excessive jargon or abbreviations unless they are industry standards that the AI is likely to understand.
- Experiment with Tone and Style
- You can guide the AI by specifying a tone or style, such as formal, casual, or persuasive, to match your audience's needs.
- Use Short, Clear Prompts
- Lengthy, complex prompts can confuse the AI. Short, focused prompts usually result in more accurate responses.
- Avoid Ambiguity
- Clear, unambiguous language is key to preventing misunderstandings. Avoid vague terms or double meanings.
- Leverage the AI for Idea Generation
- The AI is excellent for brainstorming and idea generation. When you need creativity or multiple approaches to a problem, ask for varied suggestions.
- Know When to Move On
- If the AI is consistently giving poor responses, it may not be suitable for the task you're attempting. In these cases, it's better to switch to manual research or a different approach.
UWGB AI Policy
Always follow the UWGB Generative AI (GAI) Policy. Even when using UWGB-supported AI tools such as Copilot, sensitive data such as Personally Identifiable Information (PII) or FERPA-protected data should never be entered into the AI system. For more details, you can visit the UWGB AI Policy page here or refer to the AI Knowledge Base: www.uwgb.edu/ai.
If you need further assistance, please contact the GBIT Service Desk.