Complex Systems with Patrick McKenzie (patio11) Getting better at LLMs, with Zvi Mowshowitz
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Jun 12, 2025 
Zvi Mowshowitz, known as TheZvi, writes the newsletter 'Don't Worry About the Vase' and is an expert in AI and language models. In their conversation, he shares practical strategies for improving results with large language models, emphasizing the importance of system prompts to customize AI behavior. They delve into generative engine optimization and ways to enhance creativity using AI, while tackling challenges like hallucination and sycophancy. Zvi also discusses the evolving relationship between content creators and AI training data, making the discussion highly relevant for today’s digital landscape.
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System Prompt Customization
- Customize your system prompt to define how you want the AI model to behave uniquely for your needs.
- Tailor prompts specifically for different tasks like coding versus writing for better AI output.
Use System Prompt for Memory
- Promote important information to the system prompt so the model reliably remembers it.
- System prompt has higher impact on memory than session features alone.
Generative Engine Optimization (GEO)
- Generative engine optimization (GEO) extends SEO concepts to content formatting for AI training.
- Publishing freely after a period maximizes training value while preserving early paywall revenue.