The Center of Urban and Regional Planning for Postgraduate Studies at the University of Baghdad organized a training course titled “Skills for Crafting Artificial Intelligence Prompts.” The course was facilitated by Dr. Inas Diaa Hadi (Head of the Human Rights Unit), Lama Sabbar (Head of the Information Technology Unit), and Ola Dawood (a faculty member at the Center). The two-day program was attended by the Center’s academic and administrative staff.
The course aimed to develop participants’ skills in formulating AI prompts and selecting the most appropriate commands for various tasks—ranging from urban design and scientific research to practical applications. The initiative sought to improve the quality of outputs, save time and effort, and enhance the overall efficiency of planning-related work. The course covered several key themes, most notably an introduction to artificial intelligence (AI) prompts—how they function and the importance of crafting them with precision and clarity. It explored the application of AI in scientific research, information organization, text summarization, and the preparation of academic studies and projects. Participants learned essential prompt-engineering skills, including defining tasks precisely, providing context, breaking down complex objectives, utilizing examples, and iteratively refining outputs. Furthermore, the course addressed the use of AI for urban-related prompts and spatial analysis, demonstrating how AI tools—specifically Gemini—can support design and planning processes. This included practical applications such as developing urban design proposals, optimizing the distribution of services and green spaces, and revitalizing historic urban areas while preserving their heritage identity.
The course underscored that mastering the art of crafting AI prompts is a vital skill for advancing academic and planning work; the precision of the prompts, the clarity of the context, and the clear definition of required criteria directly influence the quality of the results. Practical demonstrations highlighted the potential of these technologies to facilitate spatial analysis, generate design alternatives, improve the distribution of urban services, and develop solutions that account for human, social, and environmental needs. The course instructors emphasized the importance of encouraging researchers and urban planners to develop their skills in crafting artificial intelligence (AI) prompts and applying them to planning studies and projects. They highlighted the need to promote the use of AI applications in spatial analysis, the development of design alternatives, and the examination of urban issues. Furthermore, they stressed the necessity of verifying the accuracy of information and results generated by AI tools, ensuring they undergo scientific review before being incorporated into research or urban plans. The instructors also recommended organizing practical training courses and workshops to enhance the digital capabilities of researchers, students, and professionals. Additionally, they advocated for the use of interactive analysis tools and community engagement to identify the needs of residents and the development priorities for urban neighborhoods—all while ensuring that the application of AI in urban design and planning respects local identity, sustainability, and human and social requirements.
This course is part of an effort to keep pace with modern technological advancements and foster the integration of AI tools into scientific research and urban planning, ultimately supporting the creation of effective design and planning solutions and enhancing both academic and professional performance.
