Prompting AI chatbots can be as simple as saying hello, or you can get sophisticated and use it to create a series of fun word games and turn the AI into a quiz master.
Claude 3 is one of the best AI tools available, with human-like responses and impressive reasoning abilities around complex ideas.
Since Anthropic launched its first iPhone app for Claude 3, I decided to create 7 prompts that work with the free version of the chatbot, Claude 3 Sonnet.
Creating the prompts for Claude 3
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I decided to create prompts that can start a conversation. They cover everything from what-if concepts to improving your musical knowledge.
Each prompt is meant to be a starting point in a conversation with the AI - you can ask for follow-ups or for more details.
There’s no specific pattern to the prompts, other than a way to test the chatbot and see how well it handles different ideas.
You can adapt any of the prompts to better suit your own needs, such as changing the name of the famous engineer.
1. Historical what-ifs
First we go back in time and change society. Imagine what would happen if the famous engineer Nikola Tesla was given the freedom to do what he wanted.
The prompt: “Imagine it’s 1885 and Nikola Tesla had unlimited resources. What might the world look like in 1900 with his inventions leading the way? Describe specific technologies and societal changes.’
Claude 3 proposed that we have AC electrical distribution around the world, wireless transmission of electricity and radio communication years earlier. Claude also suggested that there would be growing pains and resistance to rapid upheaval.
Imagine it's 1885 and Nikola Tesla had unlimited resources. How might the world in 1900 look with his inventions leading the way? Describe specific technologies and societal changes.2. Futuristic scenarios
Now we go to a galaxy far, far away in time centuries in the future. How will an AI describe the state of a civilization it knows nothing about?
The prompt: “Imagine a society on a newly colonized planet in another galaxy in the year 2500. Discuss the roles of AI in the governance, daily life, and environmental management of that planet.”
Here I got a breakdown of various aspects of life in this future society, including governance, daily life – including personal AI assistance, and environmental management.
Envision a society on a newly colonized planet in another galaxy in 2500. Discuss the roles of AI in governance, daily life, and environmental management on this planet.3. Creative storytelling
Can Claude 3 be self-critical? With this prompt, we’re asking him to tell the story of a rogue AI and what would happen if we couldn’t steer him back. You can correct the script.
The prompt: “Write a story about a rogue AI who runs the Internet and becomes a digital Robin Hood, setting up algorithms to redistribute wealth. How does he evade detection and what are his adventures?’
I have about 200 words about an AI that took us step by step through the process of optimizing financial algorithms, which ended up with an AI that didn’t even try to justify itself with “obsolete human codes”.
Write a tale about a rogue AI who escapes into the internet and becomes a digital Robin Hood, tweaking algorithms to redistribute wealth. How does it avoid detection and what are its adventures?4. Study of music
In a bygone era, I once made a living covering new music. This includes writing for and presenting a show featuring some of the more obscure and original bands. Let’s see how good Claude 3 is at offering music.
The prompt: “I’m interested in the fusion of traditional folk music and contemporary electronic elements. Can you suggest some experimental artists who mix these styles and detail their most innovative songs?’
Claude suggested listening to Kitka, an all-female vocal ensemble combining Balkan and Slavic folk music. He also suggested the Spanish Mamer and his Galician music.
I'm interested in the fusion of traditional folk music and modern electronic elements. Can you suggest some experimental artists who blend these styles and detail their most innovative tracks?5. Cosmic and astronomical matters
Venus is not a nice place. It is the hottest planet in the solar system and has an inhospitable atmosphere. Can Claude 3 suggest a way to make it livable.
The prompt: “What challenges will humans face if they attempt to terraform Venus, and how might current or near-future technologies be used to overcome these challenges? Give a step-by-step explanation.’
Terraforming Venus is almost a dead end, but Claude tried to offer some suggestions. This includes reducing atmospheric pressure and the greenhouse effect. then we need water and the ozone layer.
What challenges would humans face if they tried to terraform Venus, and how could current or near-future technology be used to overcome these challenges? Provide a step-by-step explanation.6. Fantasy worlds
One thing I like about AI is the ability to make it consider two completely different ideas. In this case, the concept of a steam and magic society.
The prompt: “Develop a scenario where an ancient city uses both steam-powered technology and sorcery. Describe a conflict that arises from this dual use, and how the townspeople resolve it through a mixture of magic and machinery.’
That was fun. He created a city called Arcadium, where sorcery and steam brought long prosperity to the inhabitants. It describes towering factories and the beginning of conflict.
Develop a scenario where an ancient city uses both steam-powered technology and sorcery. Describe a conflict that arises from this dual-use and how the city's inhabitants resolve it through a blend of magic and machinery.7. Philosophical questions
Will AI be able to develop consciousness in the future? Who knows. OpenAI’s Sam Altman seems to think so, and says he’ll spend whatever it takes to get there.
The prompt: “Imagine a future where AI can perfectly simulate human emotions and experiences. Should these AIs be considered “conscious”? Discuss their potential social roles, rights and responsibilities in a detailed narrative.’
Finally, AI has been somewhat reluctant to speculate on the potential of AI to become sentient, possibly because of its guardrails. However, it offers an interesting perspective suggesting some risks of this happening, including making people obsolete
Consider a future where AI can perfectly simulate human emotions and experiences. Should these AIs be considered 'conscious'? Debate their potential societal roles, rights, and responsibilities in a detailed narrative.More from Tom’s Guide
If you enjoyed this week’s prompts, why not share your results with us and then try out a series of Google Gemini prompt ideas or even create a story, song and images from previous weeks.
