At its core, prompt engineering is a workaround. In a perfect world, you’d just ask the AI your question in plain language and get a useful answer. The very need for prompt engineering is a reminder that these models still fall short. It’s not some magical skill. It’s a temporary patch for limitations that are (hopefully) being fixed over time.
Take a look at prompt engineering advice from a year ago. Much of it addresses problems that no longer exist. Some of it might even make things worse, as we keep applying outdated tactics to new models. So, should we spend a couple of days re-learning the latest secret sauce every time a new model drops? That’s the real issue. Memorizing tips without understanding why is a time sink with an expiry date.
Instead, what we need is a broader understanding of AI's underlying capabilities and limitations. Knowing how and why models fail is what helps you adapt when things change. You’ll stop hunting for recipes and start writing your own. That’s not just efficient, it’s future-proof.
Prompt engineering rules aren’t useless. But getting real value from them requires understanding the mechanics. Otherwise, you’re just following a script for a play that’s already ended.
