In the year since ChatGPT launched to the public, there has been endless speculation about jobs that could be made obsolete by artificial intelligence, but at least one lucrative new skillset has emerged and shown some staying power: prompt engineering.
Google searches for the term — which refers to the art of using keywords to get AI tools to generate better images and written responses — have soared by orders of magnitude from a year ago. LinkedIn said there have been substantial increases in prompt engineering and prompt crafting appearing on member profiles.
The joke I’ve heard this year is that the most popular programming language in 2023 is English, said Justin Farris, senior director of product management at GitLab, a software development platform.
The rise of prompt engineering positions highlights another way that AI could reshape the job market — not just by eliminating roles but by putting a premium on employees who are adept at using and massaging artificial intelligence services for work tasks. Newly-created prompt engineering roles can pay upwards of $335,000 a year and involve people spending their days coaxing AI systems to produce better results or helping companies train their workforces to harness the technology.
The reason why those folks are commanding such great compensation is that they also possess domain expertise in their field, Farris said.
Farris expressed optimism for prompt engineering as a skillset in the near term. He believes more and more people will use it, although he acknowledged that it is still early. However, as with all things AI, the technology is rapidly evolving in ways that could one day displace prompt engineers, too.
Farris offered several pieces of advice for individuals interested in becoming a prompt engineer or making better use of AI in their jobs. Among them was to learn to be iterative with tools like ChatGPT and to be patient. He emphasized the importance of having a conversation with these systems and passing them more data to improve the results.
While prompt engineering has gained momentum and become a sought-after skill, it remains to be seen how long it will maintain its prominence in the job market. AI technologies are evolving quickly, and OpenAI’s latest image generator, Dall-E, has already reduced the need for prompt engineering.
As the AI landscape continues to develop, prompt engineering serves as a reminder that the job market is not solely driven by the elimination of roles. It highlights the value of employees who can effectively navigate and manipulate AI technologies for their work. However, as AI progresses, it may yet again transform the job market and require new skills to stay relevant.
In the meantime, prompt engineers enjoy high compensation, with their expertise and domain knowledge recognized as essential factors in their value to organizations. With their ability to harness the power of AI and provide deep understanding of their specific fields, prompt engineers are akin to individuals with advanced knowledge of popular applications like Microsoft Corp.’s Excel.
As the field of prompt engineering continues to evolve, aspiring prompt engineers can benefit from Farris’s advice: to be iterative and patient, providing more data to AI systems for better results. The skillset holds promise, but its full potential and longevity in the job market are yet to be determined. Nevertheless, in an age where AI is rapidly shifting the employment landscape, acquiring proficiency in prompt engineering can be an asset for individuals seeking to adapt and thrive in the ever-changing world of emerging technologies.
