MANAGING AND LEVERAGING AI: A PROFESSIONAL'S 2025 PLAYBOOK

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has moved far beyond its buzzword status—it’s now the linchpin of workplace productivity and personal career growth.

- Rajesh Nair Partner, Ernst & Young LLP

In 2025, for any professional starting his or her journey, knowing how to manage and leverage Al isn't just a competitive advantage—it’s essential.

Mastering Prompts: The New Power Skill

AI platforms are powerful mirrors; they reflect the precision of our instructions. The true art lies in crafting prompts that are tailored, clear, and actionable. Prompt mastery unlocks AI's full potential, transforming vague requests into bespoke solutions.

Types of Prompts and Their Best Uses

Open-ended questions:

Encourage expansive thinking, perfect for brainstorming or exploring new concepts.

Example: "Explain three ways AI can improve customer service."

Specific instructions:

Harness focused, results-driven outputs—ideal for technical or process-driven tasks.

Example: “Summarise this meeting transcript in under 150 words.”

Few-shot prompting:

Provide sample inputs and ideal responses to define tone, format, or reasoning style.

Example: Give 2-3 customer queries with ideal responses to shape your help desk replies.

Task-based prompts:

Direct AI for creative writing, coding, or troubleshooting.

Example: "Write JavaScript code to parse a CSV file and extract all email addresses."

Prompt Mastery Techniques

Be explicit: "List five project management tools and compare their pricing." • Guide style and structure:

"Reply with empathy first, then offer a practical solution."

• Iterate: Refine through trial and feedback ("Make the summary less technical for non-experts") for continually better results.

Working Smarter With AI

AI is not just about automation—it's about augmentation. Here's how today's professionals are working smarter:

• Task Automation: