A team of researchers from Stanford and Anthropic discovered something surprising: a single phrase can make artificial intelligence more creative. The study, published in October 2026, shows that models like Claude, ChatGPT and Gemini generate more original and deeper ideas when they receive instructions that encourage reflection. In other words, AI's creativity doesn't depend only on the model, but also on how we formulate the prompts.

The finding: a phrase that boosts creativity

The researchers tested hundreds of prompts with different AI models and noticed a clear pattern. When including the instruction:

“Take a breath and think step by step before answering.”

the responses became more detailed, structured and original. The AI began to analyze the context before answering, exploring alternatives it would normally overlook. In writing and brainstorming experiments, this phrase increased the models' “diversity of thought” by more than 30%.

Why it works

When we use phrases that appeal to reasoning, AI models adjust the way they process information. Asking it to “take a breath” or “think step by step” doesn't change its capabilities, but it does change its response pace: instead of looking for the fastest way out, it evaluates more possibilities before choosing one. It's a linguistic reminder to “reason” more slowly, just like a human who takes a moment to think.

How to apply it in your prompts

Trying small variations can completely change the quality of the response. For example:

• “Generate three creative content ideas for social media. Take a breath and think step by step before answering.”

• “Write a persuasive text for an email marketing campaign. Reason slowly and look for an original approach.”

• “Imagine three different ways to explain this complex concept. Think slowly and creatively.”

The secret is in the intention: the clearer you are when guiding the AI, the more likely the result will be close to what you're looking for.

The value of learning to write prompts

Mastering prompting isn't a matter of luck: it's a skill you train. Knowing what words to use, how to structure your requests and how to evaluate the results is key to getting useful, human and original answers. At Coderhouse you can learn all this with real support, practical exercises and feedback from experts who already work with AI on a daily basis.

Recommended Coderhouse courses

• 👉 Introduction to Artificial Intelligence Course — to understand how the models think and how they're trained.

• 👉 Prompt Generation Course — to create instructions that activate the AI's creative thinking.

• 👉 AI Applied to Marketing Course — to apply these concepts to content strategies and digital campaigns.

If you'd like to keep exploring this topic, you can also read automation with Make and ChatGPT to create smart no-code workflows.

Frequently asked questions

Does it work with all AI models?

Yes. While the effect varies according to the model's architecture, all language-based systems tend to respond better to reflective prompts.

What other phrases can stimulate creativity?

Some useful alternatives are: “think about different perspectives”, “look for uncommon ideas” or “imagine a solution that surprises the reader”.

Are there risks in guiding AI too much?

Not if used with judgment. Prompts only orient the reasoning, they don't modify the model or its training base.

How do I know if a prompt is well written?

A good prompt has three things: context, purpose and clarity. If the response meets what you expected, you're on the right track.

Conclusion

A simple phrase can change the creativity level of an AI model. Learning to write effective prompts is like learning a new language: one where your words guide the thinking of a machine. If you want to develop this skill with support, practice and community, train with Coderhouse and learn to make AI think —and create— better with you.

Sources

• Nature — Prompting for Creativity in AI Models

• TechCrunch — Stanford & Anthropic study on AI creativity

• VentureBeat — Simple prompt boosts AI creativity