Spencer Blake
Spencer Blake

Spencer Blake is a developer and technical writer focused on advanced workflows, AI-driven development, and the tools that actually make a difference in a programmer's daily routine. He created Tips News to share the kind of knowledge that senior developers use every day but rarely gets taught anywhere. When he's not writing, he's probably automating something that shouldn't be done manually.

Iterative prompting as a professional development skill

prompt iteration methods for developers

Welcome to the world of AI collaboration! If you work with technology, you’ve likely encountered large language models. These powerful tools can transform how we approach complex tasks. But getting the best results requires more than just asking questions. Mastering the art of iterative prompting has become essential for modern professionals. This skill separates basic …

Techniques for extracting structured tables and data using AI

data prompts, table extraction, structured outputs

In today’s data-driven world, AI-powered extraction techniques are revolutionizing how we access and utilize information. The ability to extract structured data from various sources is crucial for businesses, researchers, and organizations to make informed decisions. With the help of AI, extracting data from tables and other structured formats has become more efficient and accurate. This …

Break complex tasks into prompts that the AI solves easily

step by step prompts, decomposition, logical tasks

Managing complex tasks can be overwhelming, especially when working with AI systems. Breaking down these tasks into simpler, manageable parts is crucial for effective AI task management. By doing so, you can create clear and concise step by step prompts that AI can understand and execute efficiently. This approach not only simplifies the task but …

How to build context rich prompts that avoid hallucinations

context building, long prompts, structured flow

Interacting with large language models has become an essential part of various industries, from customer service to content creation. However, one of the significant challenges faced by developers and users alike is ensuring that these models provide accurate and reliable information. AI hallucinations, where a model generates information not based on any actual data, can …

Multi-step prompting workflows used in professional environments

multi-step prompting workflows

Welcome to the world of structured AI interaction. In professional settings, simple questions often fall short. Complex business challenges need a more thoughtful approach. Think about how you solve a big problem. You break it down into smaller, manageable tasks. You tackle them one after another. This natural way of thinking is now being applied …

How to write system prompts that control AI output with precision

system prompts, controlled output, precision writing

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become an integral part of our daily lives, from virtual assistants to language translation tools. However, the effectiveness of AI models largely depends on the instructions they receive, known as system prompts. Crafting these prompts with precision is crucial for achieving the desired output. When AI models receive clear and concise …

Why zero shot prompting works better than you think

zero shot prompting, smart tasks, clean input

Artificial intelligence (AI) has revolutionized the way we interact with technology, and instruction-based AI is at the forefront of this innovation. One of the most significant advancements in this field is zero shot prompting, a technique that enables AI models to perform tasks without requiring extensive training data. By leveraging zero shot prompting, users can …

Use recursive prompting to refine tasks until the AI gets it right

recursive prompting, loop prompts, task refinement

Interacting with AI systems has become an integral part of our daily lives, from simple queries to complex problem-solving. However, achieving accurate results from these systems can be challenging. This is where recursive prompting comes into play, allowing users to refine their interactions until they get the desired outcome. By iteratively refining the input or …