3 Things I Learned Last Week #82 – Anthropic’s AI Strategy and Prompt Engineering

Welcome to the 82nd edition of “3 Things I Learned Last Week”!

Buckle up, buttercup! We’re about to embark on a whirlwind tour of my brain’s recent acquisitions. It’s like a yard sale, but instead of old lamps and questionable kitchenware, you’re getting premium cerebral hand-me-downs. Feel free to re-gift this newsletter to your friends – unlike fruitcake, they might actually appreciate it!

Here’s what’s on the menu this week:

1. Anthropic’s AI Shenanigans: Building Better Robots (Not the Terminator Kind)
2. Prompt Engineering: How to Sweet-Talk AI into Doing Your Bidding
3. AI 101: What 99% of Newbies Don’t Know (But You Will!)

Let’s dive in faster than your aunt Karen into Facebook conspiracy theories!

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Anthropic’s AI Shenanigans: Building Better Robots (Not the Terminator Kind)

Picture this: A company that makes AI so friendly, you’d want to invite it to your family BBQ. That’s Anthropic for you, folks!

Key Takeaways (or “Things to Remember When AI Becomes Self-Aware”):

• Anthropic’s secret sauce? Four ingredients: Research & Product Research (the brains), Platform (the brawn), Trust & Safety (the conscience), and Applications (the cool party tricks).
• They build AI faster than you can say “Skynet,” with lots of trial, error, and interdisciplinary pillow fights.
• Trust and safety aren’t just buzzwords – they’re baked into the AI like chocolate chips in a cookie. Yum!

Watch Anthropic’s robots learn to river dance here.

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Prompt Engineering: How to Sweet-Talk AI into Doing Your Bidding

Ever tried to explain something to your cat? Welcome to prompt engineering, where we learn to speak ‘AI’ without the condescending meows.

Key Takeaways (or “How to Make AI Your New Best Friend”):

• Effective prompt engineering is like being a therapist for AI. Understand its quirks, communicate clearly, and be prepared for some bizarre responses.
• Strategies include poking the AI with a stick (metaphorically), testing its limits, and providing alternative instructions when it gets confused.
• The future? AI might start finishing our sentences. It’s like having a really smart, slightly creepy parrot.

Learn to whisper sweet nothings to AI here.

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AI 101: What 99% of Newbies Don’t Know (But You Will!)

Attention, class! Today’s lesson: AI basics. No, we won’t be building Terminators. Put that robot arm down, Timmy.

Key Takeaways (or “How to Pretend You’re an AI Expert at Parties”):

• AI tools come in more flavors than a Baskin-Robbins: standalone tools, sneaky integrated features, and custom solutions for those who like their AI bespoke.
• Prompt engineering is like being a GPS for AI. Without it, your AI might end up in the digital equivalent of Nebraska when you wanted Hawaii.
• Google’s AI Essentials course: It’s like Hogwarts, but for muggles who want to learn AI magic.

Discover why understanding AI is essential (and how to bluff if you don’t) here.

That’s all, folks! Hope these brain nuggets add some zing to your synapses this week. Stay curious, keep exploring, and remember: in the game of life, learning is how you level up!

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May your week be filled with more ‘aha!’ moments than ‘oh no!’ ones!

Yours in perpetual befuddlement,

~ Nathan