Chain of Thought

The 'Think Step by Step' Technique

Chain of Thought (CoT) prompting instructs the AI to show its reasoning process before providing a final answer. Instead of jumping straight to a conclusion, the AI must work through the problem step by step.

This technique increases accuracy because it forces the AI to break down complex problems into manageable steps, just like humans do when solving difficult problems.

"Think through this step by step before providing your final answer. 
Show your reasoning process."

Extended Thinking Features

Some AI tools have built-in "extended thinking" or "deep thinking" features that automatically apply Chain of Thought reasoning. These features are particularly useful for complex problems that require multi-step reasoning.

When available, enable these features for tasks like data analysis, strategic planning, or complex problem-solving.

Verifying AI Reasoning

One of the key benefits of Chain of Thought is that it makes the AI's reasoning transparent. You can see:

• What steps the AI took
• What assumptions it made
• What information it considered
• How it reached its conclusion

This transparency allows you to verify the logic, catch errors, and understand the AI's thought process.

When to Use CoT Prompting

Chain of Thought is most effective for:

• Complex problems requiring multi-step reasoning
• Mathematical or logical problems
• Strategic planning or analysis
• When you need to verify the AI's logic
• When accuracy is critical

For simple tasks or when speed is more important than transparency, standard prompting may be sufficient.

Moving Forward

Chain of Thought is the first advanced technique you have learned. Next, you will explore Tree of Thoughts, which takes reasoning to an even more sophisticated level by exploring multiple solution paths simultaneously.