In this piece of web content, published on September 16, 2023, the author reflects on the idea that advanced technology can be indistinguishable from magic, citing Clarke’s three laws. They discuss their fascination with hacker culture and engineering, nurtured through college hackathons and creative projects. The author then delves into the concept of prompt engineering and its similarities to casting spells. They acknowledge that prompting AI models is not always straightforward and each model has its quirks, requiring an understanding of the “language” of the model. The author also explores the notion of LLMs (large language models) as a form of magic and discusses the different layers and sources of this magic. They draw parallels to magic systems in literature and ponder the source of magic when using prompts on LLMs. The author suggests that the internet, computers, and electricity are all components of this magical ecosystem. They also highlight the role of money as a factor in harnessing this magic, as access to technology and LLMs often comes at a cost. The author concludes by expressing appreciation for prompt engineering as a discipline and encourages exploration and improvement in the field of AI.
https://vineeth.io/posts/2023/new-age-of-magic/