Today, the challenge is the opposite: teaching machines to understand us. In this new era of generative artificial intelligence, humans remain at the center, but our role is changing. AI won't replace our creativity; it will amplify it. Prompt engineering, this emerging discipline, is actually a natural extension of core UX skills.

So, how can we, as designers, guide these intelligences to produce relevant, creative, and purpose-driven results?

Prompt Engineering, at the Intersection of Art and UX

Prompt engineering is the art and science of crafting effective queries (or "prompts") for AI models. Think of it as a creative brief, but written for a machine. It's not about finding a magic word, but about structuring a conversation. This is where the parallel with UX becomes clear. A good prompt is a good interaction design: it is clear, precise, and considers the constraints and capabilities of its "user," the AI.

As designers, we know that simplicity and context are essential for a successful interaction. These same principles apply to the dialogue with AI.

The Principles of a Good Prompt

An effective prompt goes far beyond simple keywords. It is based on principles that every UX designer already knows.

• Context is King: The AI needs to know where it is. Providing a precise context is the first step to getting a relevant result. For example, a simple request like "Create an image of a cat" yields a random result, but "Create an image of a joyful, ginger cat wearing a top hat and playing the piano, in a 19th-century oil painting style" allows the AI to generate a much more creative visual.

• The Persona: To guide the AI, it is helpful to give it a role. Attributing a "persona" like "You are a UX design expert. Give me three recommendations to improve the navigation of an e-commerce website" helps to direct the style and tone of the response.

• Clarity: Avoid all ambiguity. Every word matters. A clear and concise request leads to a more targeted result and reduces the number of iterations.

• Feedback and Iteration: A good prompt is rarely the first one. You must iterate, refine, and learn from the AI itself. It's a continuous dialogue where each response gives you clues on how to ask the next question.

The Role of the UX Designer in the AI Era

With AI tools, our role is evolving. We are no longer just creators, but also curators and facilitators.

1. Relevance Assessor: The designer is the one who judges whether the AI's output is not only technically correct, but above all, user-centric. They ensure that the generated solution meets a real need and improves the experience.

2. Co-creator: AI becomes a powerful assistant. We can use it to quickly generate ideas for wireframes, mockups, or text, then refine and integrate them into a broader design process.

3. Facilitator: The designer can train their teams to better interact with AI. They create style guides for prompts and best practices so that the entire organization gets the most out of these tools.

Final Thoughts: UX, at the Core of Human-AI Interaction

Prompt engineering is not a fad; it's a new layer of interaction between humans and technology. AI highlights the timeless importance of empathy, clarity, and critical thinking. These skills are and will remain the prerogative of humans, and they are what will make the difference.

Ultimately, the UX designer no longer just designs screens. They design the dialogue that makes technology truly useful.