Prompt
Definition The input a user gives an AI model—an instruction, question, or document—to which the model responds. The quality and specificity of the prompt strongly influence the quality of the output.
In more depth
A prompt can be a single sentence or many pages of instructions, examples, and source material. Everything in the prompt occupies the model's context window and is processed on the provider's systems, so prompts containing client information should only go to tools with appropriate confidentiality terms. Writing effective prompts is a learnable skill known as prompt engineering.
Related terms
Educational information, not legal advice. AI terminology and tools change quickly; definitions reflect usage as of the last-updated date. For what bar associations and courts actually require of lawyers using AI, see legalaicompliance.help and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction.