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- Weekly Download #86: Tips to supercharge your AI prompting
Weekly Download #86: Tips to supercharge your AI prompting
Plus, Uber reinvents the bus, the Samsung Galaxy Edge S25, and more...
Roger Feeley-Lussier & Kevin Raposo
18 May • Reading Time: 10 minutes
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Welcome to another edition of KnowTechie’s Weekly Download. First time here? Don’t forget to subscribe – it’s free. Missed an issue? Check the archive. Disclaimer: We might earn commission from your clicks. Thanks in advance for supporting our sponsors (and us)!
Hello , it’s Sunday, May 18 — here’s what we’ve got going on this week.
HOW TO: Supercharge your AI prompt writing.
THE BIG ONE: Uber re-invents the bus.
FAST FIVE: Five news stories you missed.
GEAR OF THE WEEK: Samsung Galaxy Edge S25
MORONS OF THE WEEK: HBO Max is back?
DEALS: Deals on the gear you need.
Let’s get ready to SCROLL.
-Roger
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HOW TO
Supercharge Your AI Prompts (& Actually Get What You Want)
Ever get a weird or useless answer from ChatGPT or another AI bot? The problem usually isn’t the bot—it’s the prompt. With a few simple tweaks, you can get great results from AI, every time. Here’s how:
1. Be Precise
Say exactly what you need—think format, tone, style, length. The more detail, the less editing later.
Quick tip: Before you click send, ask yourself: Could a stranger deliver what you want using just your prompt?
❌ “Give me a story about frogs on the moon.”
✅ “Write a short story about dart frogs on Earth’s moon, in the style of Ray Bradbury, under 1,000 words, and save it as a PDF titled ‘Moon Frogs.’”
2. Use Positive Language
AI bots are notorious for ignoring negatives. Tell them what to include, not what to avoid. Asking for positives = better results.
❌ “Don’t include billing statements that are less than $500.”
✅ “Include all billing statements of $500 or more.”
3. Break It Down
Treat an AI like an intern: spell out every step. Bullet points or checklists make complex tasks easy for both you and the bot.
❌ “Make a list of WWII propaganda films.”
✅
Search the Internet Archive for US WWII propaganda films.
List examples from 1939–1945.
Output a bulleted list with the title, year, filmmaker, and a link to each video.
✨ Bonus Tip: Steal This Prompt Template ✨
Want to get exactly what you need, every single time? Plug your details into this simple formula, and watch AI deliver.
Copy, fill in the blanks, and go:
Act as a [role, e.g., travel guide, business coach, resume editor].
Your task: [Describe what you want in one clear sentence.]
Requirements:
- Format: [Bullet points? Narrative? Table?]
- Tone/style: [Friendly? Formal? Playful?]
- Length/detail: [How many words, steps, or ideas?]
- Must include: [Key info to show up every time.]
If you need more info, ask me a follow-up question first.See it in action:
Act as a social media coach.
Your task: Suggest a week of LinkedIn post ideas for a new SaaS founder.
Requirements:
- Format: bullet list
- Tone/style: approachable, expert
- Length/detail: 7 ideas, 1-2 sentences each
- Must include: tips that avoid sounding salesy
If you need more info, ask me a follow-up question first.Pro move:
Save this template somewhere handy. Just tweak the blanks, and your next AI response will be exactly what you need—no more surprises.
What’s Your Best Prompt Hack?
Have an AI story, personal prompt tip, or a hilarious fail to share? Hit reply and tell me! I’ll feature the best reader tips in next week’s edition.
THE BIG ONE
One big news story in 100 words or less
It’s a meme at this point, but Venture Capital loves to reinvent something that already exists. Or as one Threads user said:
It’s happened again. Uber is launching “fixed route shuttles” that cost 50% less than an UberX. Riders in Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, NYC, Philadelphia, and San Francisco can use Uber’s new “Route Share” feature: Commuter shuttles operating between pre-set stops every 20 minutes. [LINK]
Sounds a lot like a bus!
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FAST FIVE
Five news stories you missed
1.) AI produces fake citation in lawsuit about how AI is being used to scrape music libraries.
KnowTechie’s take: This is a major problem for lawyers leveraging AI in their arguments. Hard to see this ending well.
2.) MoviePass receives $100M funding for Mogul, a “fantasy box office game”
KnowTechie’s take: Remember MoviePass? Well, it’s back (??).
3.) Fortnite’s return to the App Store thwarted by Apple
KnowTechie’s take: We’ll be hearing a lot more about this case before the dust settles.
4.) ChatGPT 4.1 available now for paid users
KnowTechie’s take: According to OpenAI, the latest version is faster, cheaper, and more powerful.
5.) DJI’s most advanced drone won’t be immediately available in the U.S.
KnowTechie’s take: DJI cites uncertainty around tariffs and U.S. Customs as the cause of the delay.
GEAR OF THE WEEK
Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge
It’s finally arrived, and it’s beautiful. Kevin did a rundown of what’s so great about the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge, but here are the highlights:
Features:
- Display: 6.7” AMOLED QHD+ display with 120Hz refresh rate for ultra-smooth video and gaming
- Cameras: 200MP(!!) main camera with a 12MP ultra-wide 2nd camera.
- Performance: Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset with 12 GB of RAM.
- Sleek: Thin design with a ceramic glass front that’s stronger than ever.
- Battery: 3,900 mAh cell that can handle hours of heavy usage.
Click below to find great deals on the Samsung Galaxy Edge S25.
MORONS OF THE WEEK
HBO Max is back?
Since the Discovery/Warner Brothers merger in 2023, David Zaslav & co have made some baffling decisions—like shelving the Coyote vs. Acme movie or deleting entire series from the streamer. But this latest decision really brings the moron-status to the Max.
That’s right, our Morons of the Week are Discovery/Warner Brothers, who have made the brilliant decision to rename their streamer Max (formerly HBO Max) back to HBO Max.
I don’t care what it’s called—as long as it’s got The Rehearsal.
DEALS
THANKS FOR READING!
-Roger
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