Getting Started with AI Usage
The most important basics for successfully working with AI assistants
Effective communication with AI assistants is a key competency in modern daily work. This guide shows you the most important basics for optimal results with meinGPT.
The Golden Rule: Clarity Before Brevity
The more precise your request, the better the result. AI assistants are not mind readers – they work with the information you provide.
Practical tip: Imagine explaining the task to a new colleague. What information would they need?
The Five Pillars of Successful Prompts
1. Provide Context
Provide relevant background information. Who is the target audience? What is the purpose?
2. Be Specific
Avoid vague formulations. Instead of "Write something about AI" better: "Create a 200-word introduction about AI use in customer service for executives"
3. Define Format
Specify the desired output format: bullet points, flowing text, table, or structured overview?
4. Determine Tone
Formal, informal, technical, or simplified? The desired language level makes a big difference.
5. Show Examples
A concrete example says more than a thousand explanations. Show what you expect.
Practical Examples from Daily Work
Marketing: Product Description
❌ Imprecise Request
Write something about our new product✅ Precise Request
Create a product description for our new office chair "ErgoMax Pro":
- Target audience: HR managers in medium-sized companies
- Tone: Professional but inviting
- Length: 100-150 words
- Focus: Ergonomics, employee health, ROI through fewer sick days
- Use concrete numbers: 8h sitting comfort, 5-year warrantyAccounting: Cost Analysis
❌ Imprecise Request
Analyze these costs✅ Precise Request
Analyze the Q3 operating costs from the attached Excel spreadsheet:
1. Identify the top 3 cost drivers
2. Compare with Q2 (percentage change)
3. Mark deviations over 10%
Format: Tabular overview in EUR
Add recommendations for cost reductionsProject Management: Meeting Minutes
❌ Imprecise Request
Summarize the meeting✅ Precise Request
Create structured minutes for our project meeting from [date]:
- Participants: [list]
- Main topics: Q4 milestone review, budget adjustments
- Format:
• Decisions (numbered)
• Action items (with responsible persons and deadlines)
• Next steps
- Length: Max. 1 page
- Language: German, technical terms in English in bracketsResearch & Development: Technical Documentation
❌ Imprecise Request
Document this function✅ Precise Request
Create technical documentation for the 'calculateTaxRate()' function:
- Target audience: Junior developers
- Content: Purpose, parameters, return values, example code
- Consider: German tax rules, GDPR compliance
- Format: Markdown with code snippets
- Languages: German with English code commentsConsider GDPR and Data Protection
Important for EU companies: Never include personal data in your prompts. Instead, use placeholders like [customer name] or [employee ID].
Data Protection Checklist
Anonymize
Replace real names with generic terms
Abstract
Use example figures instead of real financial data
Generalize
Describe situations generally rather than specifically
Multilingualism in European Context
German-English Mix
Create a project overview:
- Main text: German
- Technical terms: English in brackets
- Target audience: International stakeholders
Example: "Meilenstein (Milestone)"Localization
Adapt the text for the DACH region:
- Use regional terms
- Consider cultural differences
- Currency: EUR
- Date format: DD.MM.YYYYSave Time with Templates
Email Template for Customer Inquiries
Answer this customer inquiry politely and professionally:
[Insert inquiry]
Structure:
1. Personal greeting
2. Thanks for the inquiry
3. Concrete answer to all points
4. Next steps
5. Contact offer for questions
Tone: Friendly, competent, solution-oriented
Length: Max. 200 words
Consider: GDPR, no confidential infoGetting Started with meinGPT
Translation Tool
Perfect for multilingual communication with clear context specifications
Summarization Tool
Structured summaries with definable level of detail
Web Search
Research with precise search criteria and source references
Practice Exercises for Getting Started
Try it out: Create prompts for these typical tasks:
- Write a rejection letter for a job application (HR)
- Create an agenda for a project kickoff (PM)
- Write a product announcement for LinkedIn (Marketing)
- Formulate a reminder for overdue invoices (Accounting)
Next Step: After mastering the basics, explore advanced techniques like few-shot prompting and chain-of-thought reasoning in the next chapter.