AI prompts for public servants

Prompts are the instructions you give an AI tool — like ChatGPT, Gemini or Microsoft Copilot — to generate your desired output.

A good prompt is like giving clear instructions to an intern. To complete a task effectively, you need to provide clear and specific instructions, not vague information.

What makes a good prompt?

A good prompt has four parts:

Context: Provides the background or role framing the AI needs to understand the task
Task: Is explicit about what you want the AI to do
Expectation: Defines tone, format or constraints for your desired output
Source: Includes links or attachments to relevant materials (inputs) you want the AI to use

How will the cheat sheet help?

This cheat sheet will help you:

Summarise reports into short, tailored briefs
Translate policy into plain English for citizens
Draft communications for different audiences
Interpret data to support decision making
Plan stakeholder engagement with clarity
Prepare ministerial briefings in minutes

The cheat sheet includes 19 ready-to-use prompts you can copy, paste and adapt, like this one:

Summarise this [document/report] into a one-page briefing note for [specific audience], highlighting the top three findings and recommended next steps.

It also includes follow-up prompts and tips for refining AI outputs.