The emergence of generative AI tools, such as ChatGPT, has led to a new hot job in the tech industry – prompt engineering. This role involves writing questions and prose for AI chatbots to test and improve their answers, and it doesn’t require a degree in STEM.
According to a Bloomberg report, some of these roles have salaries as high as $335,000. Anthropic, an AI safety and research company, is currently advertising for a “prompt engineer and librarian” with a salary range between $175,000 and $335,000.
The job entails building “a library of high-quality prompts or prompt chains to accomplish a variety of tasks, with an easy guide to help users search for the one that meets their needs,” as well as “a set of tutorials and interactive tools that teach the art of prompt engineering to our customers.”
While the job posting indicates that someone with “a high level” of familiarity with large language models (LLMs) and basic programming skills would be a good fit, Anthropic welcomes applications “even if you do not believe you meet every single qualification.”
Sam Altman, the CEO of ChatGPT developer OpenAI, has previously highlighted the need for prompt engineers. In February, he tweeted, ” writing a great prompt for a chatbot persona is an amazingly high-leverage skill.” As the market for prompt engineers grows, a spokesperson at LinkedIn told Insider that there are currently 708 results for “prompt engineer” jobs in the US, although the role remains niche.
Despite the growing demand for prompt engineers, recruiters warn that most high-paying roles require individuals with more experience and higher levels of education in tech-focused areas.
However, Anna Bernstein, a prompt engineer at Copy.ai, highlights how the role aligns with her literary background and analytical thinking. She describes the job as a “really strange intersection” of the two. While prompt engineering is an emerging field, some experts are warning that it may not necessarily be the hottest job in the long run.
Ethan Mollick, a professor at the Wharton School, tweeted in February that he has “a strong suspicion that ‘prompt engineering’ is not going to be a big deal in the long-term & prompt engineer is not the job of the future.”
Adrian Weller, a director of research in machine learning at the University of Cambridge, also cautions that while being able to interact with generative AI tools through prompts “is of high value,” the field is evolving quickly, and individuals should not dwell too much on the current state of prompt engineering.
Prompt engineering presents an exciting opportunity for individuals with diverse backgrounds, including those without tech-focused education or experience. However, individuals considering a career in this field should be aware of the industry’s potential limitations and rapidly evolving nature.