From Prompt Engineering to Intent Engineering

This article argues that as AI models become more advanced, the traditional approach of prompt engineering—giving detailed, step-by-step instructions—becomes less effective. Instead, it advocates for 'intent engineering,' where users describe the desired outcome rather than the process. Drawing on Sutton's Bitter Lesson, the author explains that our specific guidance can limit AI's native capabilities. The piece offers practical advice for reviewing existing prompts and switching from 'how' to 'what' prompts, particularly with smarter models like GPT-5.6. It is relevant to AI, prompting, and technology best practices.