Prompting creativity with ChatGPT and DALL-E

ChatGPT, OpenAI’s new language model and corresponding chat tool have raised quite a stir in the last few days (see https://openai.com/blog/chatgpt/ for function and limitations). Since it’s launch on November 30, people have been using it to write code, discuss synthetic biology, and even as a virtual machine.

With DALL-E, a sister tool in the visual domain, AI is making great strides into the realm of creative work. The language models have a similar potential. GPT can be used to generate prose and poetry, along with creative idea generation.

With this kind of creative ability, much of the outcome comes down to the formulation of the prompt. Prompt design is a key element to interacting with these AI tools. This is a human-level activity to generate desired creative AI behavior.

Previous users of DALL-E have put together a guide to getting the most of out the tool. This takes the form of a prompt book, which provides examples of behavior given specific inputs. It explores the effect of asking for various styles and descriptive terms in a rigorous, well-documented way.

The general approach to interacting with the tool is a combination of two main elements:

• a scenario - the event/activity/object being depicted
• a style - a description of the artist to mimic, the mood to capture, the artistic technique to emulate

I’m not yet piecing together a prompt guide for ChatGPT, but I’ve been having some fun piecing together different scenarios + styles.

Try some prose,

with a DALL-E generated book cover

Or poetry,

Perhaps some new books ideas?

Or even a business plan,

ChatGPT retains some context, so you can also ask follow up questions.

Combine it with some DALL-E design and you’re well on your way!