Prompting: The Near-Future's Most Important Technical Skill

– By Evan Gutman, AICC (AI-Certified Consultant)

Here's a prediction: in the next few years, prompting will become the single most important technical skill you can master.

Not coding. Not data analysis. Not even traditional "tech skills" as we know them today.

Prompting.

If that sounds bold, consider this: every generation has a skill that starts as specialized and ends up universal. Typing was once taught in dedicated schools. Using the internet required training. Spreadsheets felt like advanced software.

Now? These skills are second nature. And prompting is next.

Let's talk about why this matters, and why you should start paying attention now.

The Evolution of Everyday Skills

In the 1940s through the 1980s, typing schools existed to train professionals on how to use typewriters (and eventually keyboards) with speed and accuracy. It was considered a technical skill. Something you had to learn formally.

Today, that idea feels almost absurd. Typing is instinctive. Most professionals, students, and even children can type without thinking about it. It's not a specialized skill anymore. It's a baseline expectation.

The same pattern has repeated over and over:

• 1990s & 2000s: Learning to use the internet and mastering spreadsheets like Excel were professional advantages. Now, they're basic requirements.

• 2010s & 2020s: Leveraging social media, using smart devices, navigating apps, and adopting new tech platforms became essential. What once felt cutting-edge is now instinctive.
  

All of these skills would have been considered alien technology just a few decades earlier. But once adoption reached a tipping point, they shifted from specialized knowledge to everyday competence.

Prompting is following the exact same trajectory.

What is Prompting?

A prompt is simply the instruction you give an AI tool (the input) to generate the result you need (the output).

Sounds simple, right? But here's the thing: some prompting approaches are far more effective than others. AI tools actually prefer to be instructed in certain ways. The difference between a weak prompt and a strong one can be the difference between getting generic fluff and getting exactly what you need.

For example:

• Weak prompt: "Write a marketing email."

• Better prompt (but could still be improved): "Write a 150-word marketing email for a consulting firm targeting small business owners. Focus on the value of AI automation in saving time. Keep the tone professional but approachable, and end with a clear call to action."
  

Same task. Completely different results.

Learning how to prompt well isn't just about getting better outputs. It's about learning how to think clearly, communicate precisely, and structure your requests in ways that AI can actually act on.

To see how powerful prompts can actually be, send me a message on LinkedIn or check out my free download. You'll gain access to highly advanced prompts that do the work of a $40,000 consulting project.

Why Prompting Will Become Mandatory

Here's why Evitas AI believes prompting will soon be the most important professional skill to acquire:

AI adoption is accelerating globally. Large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT, Claude, and others are being integrated into every industry, every workflow, and every layer of daily life. From customer service to legal research, from content creation to financial analysis, AI is becoming embedded in the tools we use every single day.

As AI weaves itself deeper into everyday life, prompting will shift from a specialized capability to a common, day-to-day skill. Just like typing. Just like using the internet. Just like navigating a smartphone.

Here's the reality: if you can't prompt effectively, you'll be at a disadvantage. You'll get worse outputs. You'll spend more time iterating. You'll miss opportunities that others (who know how to use AI well) will capitalize on instantly.

And it's not just for work or drafting emails. As AI becomes more integrated into personal tasks (planning trips, managing finances, at-home medical diagnosis, even making purchasing decisions), the ability to communicate clearly with AI will become as fundamental as knowing how to use a search engine.

The question isn't if  prompting will become essential. It's when. And the answer is: soon.

Start Now, Not Later

The good news? You don't need to wait. You can start building this skill today.

The people who master prompting early will have a massive advantage. They'll work faster. They'll produce better results. They'll be more valuable at the office and more efficient at home. They'll adapt to new AI tools instantly because they understand the underlying principles of how to communicate with them.

Prompting isn't magic. It's a learnable skill. And like any skill, the earlier you start practicing, the better you'll be when it becomes non-negotiable.

Want to Learn How to Prompt Like a Pro?

At Evitas AI, we've refined the art of prompting and would love to show you the way. Whether you're looking to improve your own skills or train your team to use AI more effectively, we can help you get there.

Contact us today. Your future self will thank you.

Shoot me a message on LinkedIn, Instagram, or send me an email at evan@evitas.ai to get chatting!