A prompt is a natural language instruction or request given to an artificial intelligence (AI) or language model to generate a response. It can include questions, instructions, context, examples, or partial inputs for the AI to complete or continue. Prompts serve as the input that guides the AI on what task to perform, whether generating text, images, music, or other content types. Good prompt design or prompt engineering refers to crafting prompts effectively to elicit accurate, high-quality responses from AI systems. In everyday language, a prompt can also mean a cue or encouragement to do something or respond quickly, or in computing, a symbol or message signaling the user to input data.

Components of a Prompt in AI

• Task: The main instruction or question to answer.
• System instructions: Optional directives on how the AI should respond.
• Few-shot examples: Optional examples provided to guide the response.
• Contextual information: Optional background or details to inform the output.

Other Meanings

• In general English, prompt means to cause an action or to assist someone in remembering words (like an actor being prompted).
• In computing, a prompt shows that user input is expected, often seen as a symbol or message on terminals.

Thus, a prompt is essentially the instruction or cue that initiates a response or action, especially in the context of interacting with AI or computers.