The Art of Creative Inquiry—From Question Asking to Prompt Engineering

Abstract

As artificial intelligence and natural language processing methods rapidly develop, communication plays a pivotal role in every-day interactions. In this theoretical paper, we explore the overlap and commonalities between question-asking and prompt engineering. While seemingly distinct, these processes share a common foundation in essential skills like creativity, critical thinking, and cognitive flexibility. We contend that prompt engineering, the art of crafting cues for language models, and question-asking, the skill of formulating inquiries, form a symbiotic relationship. Delving into question complexity through Bloom's taxonomy and diverse types of questions, we propose strategies for not only efficient but also engaging prompt design. Our theoretical contribution emphasizes the dynamic role of creativity in both processes, offering intriguing perspectives on human–machine interactions and advancing our understanding of language models and communication skills.