AWS Discovery Day: Introduction to Prompt Engineering

Wednesday, May 21 | 1 - 2 pm ET

In this course, you will learn how to create and optimize prompts for a variety of generative AI models. First, this course covers the basics of foundation models, including a subset of foundation models (FMs), called large language models (LLMs). Then, the course covers the fundamental concepts of prompt engineering, such as the different elements of a prompt and some general best practices for using prompts effectively. Finally, the course provides information about basic prompt techniques, including zero-shot, few-shot, and chain-of-thought (CoT) prompting.


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This course includes lecture materials, visual presentation, and audience participation.

Learning Objectives

  • Identify the fundamental concepts of FMs and LLMs
  • Define prompt engineering and identify the best practices for designing effective prompts
  • Identify the basic types of prompt techniques, including zero-shot, few-shot, and CoT  techniques

Intended audience

  • Prompt engineers
  • Data scientists        
  • Developers

Event outline

  • Module 1: Foundation models and large language model
  • How does a foundation model function?
  • Training FMs
  • Types of FMs  
  • Large language models   
  • Transformer architecture
  • Neural networks
  • Module 2: Key concepts of prompt engineering
  • Fine-tuning and prompt engineering
  • Elements of a prompt
  • Best practices for designing effective prompts
  • Practice with prompts   
  • Module 3: Basic prompt techniques
  • Zero-shot prompting
  • Few-shot prompting
  • Chain-of-thought prompting
  • Conclusion

Module descriptions

Module 1: Foundation models and large language models

In this module, you will develop a fundamental understanding of FMs, including an understanding of a subset of FMs called LLMs. First, you will be introduced to the basic concepts of a foundation model, such as self-supervised learning and fine-tuning. Next, you will learn about two types of FMs: text-to-text models and text-to-image models. Finally, you will learn about LLMs' functionality and use cases, the subset of foundation models that most often utilize prompt engineering.

Module 2: Key concepts of prompt engineering

In this module, you are introduced more fully to prompt engineering, the set of practices that focus on developing, designing, and optimizing prompts to enhance the output of FMs for your specific business needs. Then, you learn about the different elements of a prompt. Finally, the module provides a list of general best practices for designing effective prompts, and you can participate in voting for which prompts showcase those best practices.

Module 3: Basic prompt techniques

In this module, you will learn about basic prompt engineering techniques that can help you effectively use generative AI applications for your unique business objectives. First, the module defines zero-shot and few-shot prompting techniques. Then, it defines CoT prompting, the building block for
several advanced prompting techniques. This module provides tips and examples of each type of prompt. <

What is AWS Discovery Days?

AWS Discovery Days, hosted by official AWS Training Partners, introduce cloud concepts, including generative AI, security, machine learning, migrations, and modern data strategy. Expert AWS Instructors will help you learn what’s possible in the cloud and how to achieve it with AWS.

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About the presenter:

Myles Brown is the Director of Solution Engineering at Ascendient learning. He has over twenty-five years of experience in the IT industry across a variety of platforms. Recognized as an AWS Authorized Instructor Champion and a Google Cloud Professional Architect and Instructor, Myles has delivered award-winning authorized IT training for the biggest cloud providers.