Prompting - Act As

One of our favourite ways to use ChatGPT (or any AI chatbot) is with an 'Act As' prompt. It’s a simple trick, but it makes a big difference. Instead of just asking a question, you tell the AI who to be - and that helps shape the kind of answer you get.

It works across loads of scenarios, whether you're trying to understand something new, write something better, or just get a response that sounds more like a real person who knows what they're talking about.

Examples of 'Act As' Prompts

1. Act as a marketing strategist and help me improve this campaign idea
2. Act as a senior developer and explain this Python script to a junior colleague
3. Act as a Head of Data and review this dashboard for clarity and insight
4. Act as a recruiter and give feedback on this CV for a data analyst role
5. Act as a founder and critique this pitch deck from an investor’s point of view

When is 'Act As' Beneficial?

1. Clarity and Focus: By specifying a role, you help the chatbot zero in on the type of response you need, making the interaction more efficient and relevant. For instance, asking a chatbot to 'Act as a doctor' can provide you with health advice that is structured and informative.
2. Better Engagement: It can make things feel more natural, especially for learning. A ‘friendly teacher’ persona explaining something tricky can be easier to follow than a generic answer.
3. Problem-Solving: When dealing with specific issues, such as technical support or career advice, directing the chatbot to 'Act as' an expert in that field can yield more practical and useful responses.

When is 'Act As' Not Ideal?

1. Complex or Sensitive Topics: If the topic is highly complex or sensitive, it might not be appropriate to rely solely on a chatbot's response, even if you prompt it to 'Act as' an expert. In such cases, consulting a real human professional is advisable.
2. Ambiguity in Roles: If the role you specify is too vague or broad, the chatbot might struggle to provide a focused response. Being specific about the role is key to getting the most out of the 'Act As' technique.
3. Don’t Rely on it for Everything: 'Act As' is great, but it’s not the only trick. Try combining it with other prompts like “compare these options” or “rewrite this for a different audience” to get more from your AI use.