This AI blog series will highlight the key initiatives where we have integrated AI into the Askia survey design process.
But before diving into the examples themselves, we thought it would be beneficial to provide an overview of how Askia users can begin leveraging AI in their surveys.
Our assessment is that the necessary skillset required is comparable to that of an ‘advanced scriptwriter,’ i.e. someone who is comfortable using programming languages to complement their AskiaScript expertise. Happily, there are many Askia users who are comfortable with getting their hands ‘dirty’ in this way.
Access to an AI Provider
Firstly you will need access to an AI provider. There are many options available. We chose OpenRouter (https://openrouter.ai/) as it has both free and commercial models available. And lots of them! It provides a single location and a single place to purchase credits, code examples, etc. Then, using Postman (https://www.postman.com/), you can start making AI calls within a few minutes of signing up.
When you sign up, you will get an API key (for free). This is the key that you will use in your API calls to the AI provider.
We strongly suggest you do NOT use client-side code (JavaScript) for these calls.
Including your AI API key in client-side code is not to be advised. Instead, you should use AskiaDesign’s web service routings to do these AI calls for you. That will keep your API key nice and secure (on the server).
Once your call executes, the model will return the JSON results. All the information is important, but the most relevant information to your call can be found in the following part of the JSON (AskiaScript below):
How to Prompt AI
The key to using AI successfully is producing the most effective AI prompts. Prompting is an art, as much as a skill, and if you can master it, then the AI world can open up for you in extraordinary ways.
Here are eight tips for creating effective AI prompts:
- Be specific: use pointed prompts to guide AI. Avoid any form of vagueness.
- Define roles: ask the AI to function as a specific job title or persona to help produce context-relevant outputs.
- Specify the preferred output formats.
- State clearly what to include or omit.
- Give examples to guide the output, but ensure you avoid copyright infringements.
- Tailor the tone and approach based on the audience, as context will lead to better engagement.
- Iterate and improve: build on prompts over time for better results.
- Engage AI as a collaborative partner and get it to offer corrections and feedback to enhance responses.
Like all skills, the more you do it, the better you will get. The important thing is to start experimenting and begin seeing what is possible.
All set? Good, in the next blog we will look at the first actionable result from our experimentation – ‘From Word to Wow’.
