Getting the most out of using Assist
Essential user information and prompting tips for using Assist, the transformative AI-powered communication tool designed specifically for government communicators.
What can Assist do
Assist helps government communicators with many tasks, including planning campaigns, drafting content and evaluating impact. It does this in a fraction of the time compared to traditional methods, all while following government guidelines and principles of responsible use.
Key features:
- Document upload: Upload and analyse your campaign materials, policies, and research.
- GOV.UK search: Find the latest government information and guidance.
- Pre-built prompts: Ready-made prompting templates for OASIS planning, COM-B analysis, crisis comms, and more.
- Campaign evaluation: Build theories of change, define Key Performance Indicators, and measure impact.
- Content creation: Draft press releases, social media content, and internal communications.
Things to remember when using Assist:
- Always fact-check outputs against official sources.
- Follow the Government Communications generative AI policy for responsible use.
- Use Assist as a starting point for first drafts, not a final output.
- You can securely input information up to and including official-sensitive.
- Assist is currently unable to view images, videos, or spreadsheets.
- Assist cannot access real-time information or current news.
- Assist doesn’t ‘remember’ content between chats. Each conversation you have with Assist is completely separate.
- Assist cannot replace human judgement on accuracy and appropriateness.
Writing effective prompts
Well-written prompts lead to more accurate, useful, and actionable outputs that save you time and improve your communications work. While Assist’s pre-built prompts are designed to save you time, the guidance below will help if you want to create your own prompts.
How to structure a prompt:
- Context: State your role, department, and the situation.
- Task: Clearly explain what you want Assist to do.
- Audience: Specify who the output is for.
- Format: State how you want the output to be structured (for example, bullets, paragraphs, tables).
- Constraints: Include word limits, tone preference, or specific requirements relevant to your work.
Top tips for writing prompts:
- Provide detailed context: The more context you provide, the more tailored Assist’s response will be.
- Use examples: Show Assist what good looks like by providing examples. Tell Assist what to include and avoid.
- Iterate and refine: Start broad, then narrow down. Use follow-up prompts to respond to Assist’s previous output.
- Quality control: Before use, always review AI outputs for accuracy, appropriateness and alignment with your objectives.
- Advanced techniques: Ask for multiple options to compare, request pros and cons analyses, or ask Assist to critique its own outputs to help you consider different perspectives and make better decisions.
For further information and support on using Assist, please contact: ai.gcs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk.