Prompt engineering is quickly becoming one of the most valuable skills in the AI era, yet most people still treat it as trial and error. In this first episode of our special two-part series based on the Prompt Engineering resource authored by Lee Boonstra at Google, we break down what prompt engineering actually is, why it matters, and how understanding the mechanics behind large language models can dramatically improve the quality of your AI interactions. From token prediction to temperature settings, we explain how generative AI decides what to say next—and how you can guide it with more precision.

We cover everything from basic to intermediate techniques, including single-shot and few-shot prompting, system and role prompts, and often-overlooked features like output configuration and randomness controls. These are the tools that separate casual users from those getting truly valuable results. You will learn how to write clearer prompts, control creativity, and design better outputs for everything from content generation to complex decision support.

Whether you're a student, professional, or a business leader, this episode will give you a strong foundation in how to think about prompting. It is practical, actionable, and sets the stage for Part Two, where we will explore advanced strategies like Chain of Thought, Tree of Thought, and more. If you want to work smarter with AI, start right here.

In this episode of the Professor Insight Podcast, we break down one of the most in-demand skills in today’s AI-powered world: prompt engineering. With more companies actively hiring prompt engineers and more people using tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude in their daily workflows, knowing how to craft effective prompts is no longer optional — it is essential. Drawing from my own deep dive into research papers, online courses, and hands-on experimentation, I introduce a practical, proven approach to prompt design: Google’s Five-Step Prompting Framework.

We explore each step in this accessible model — Task, Context, References, Evaluate, and Iterate — and I share real-world examples to help you apply these concepts right away. Whether you are struggling to get useful responses from your AI tools or simply want to improve how you interact with language models, this episode provides a structured foundation for writing better, clearer, and more effective prompts. We also touch on helpful techniques like using personas, setting output formats, and refining your instructions when things don’t quite work as expected.

This is your go-to guide for Prompt Engineering 101, and it is perfect for beginners or anyone looking to sharpen their skills. But that’s not all — as I put this episode together, I realised there was still so much more to explore. That is why I’m launching a follow-up two-part special series focused on advanced prompt engineering, where we will cover more technical strategies for guiding language models to reason, reflect, and act with greater sophistication.

In this episode of the Professor Insight Podcast, we take a closer look at one of the most talked-about developments in artificial intelligence: Agentic AI. After our last episode introduced the concept, many listeners asked for a deeper dive. So today, we are breaking down what Agentic AI actually is, how it works, and how it differs from generative AI, large language models, and traditional AI workflows. If you have been hearing the term but are not quite sure what it means in practice, this episode will give you the clarity you need.

We explore the defining traits of Agentic AI, including autonomous decision-making, goal-driven behaviour, real-time planning, and tool use. Unlike models that simply respond to prompts or follow fixed sequences, Agentic AI is capable of taking initiative and solving complex problems independently. We also examine how this compares to generative AI, which is focused on content creation, and AI workflows, which rely on predefined steps and human direction.

So why should business leaders care? Because understanding these distinctions is critical to making smart choices about automation, innovation, and competitive strategy. Agentic AI opens up powerful new possibilities for efficiency, scalability, and intelligent decision-making across industries. Tune in to find out how this next wave of AI could reshape the way your organisation works and delivers value.