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The role of prompt engineering in enhancing LLMs: a systematic review of applications and ethical implications Fatawi, Izzul; Bilad, Muhammad Roil; Asy'ari, Muhammad
IAES International Journal of Artificial Intelligence (IJ-AI) Vol 15, No 2: April 2026
Publisher : Institute of Advanced Engineering and Science

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.11591/ijai.v15.i2.pp1071-1086

Abstract

Large language models (LLMs) have transformed natural language processing (NLP), demonstrating exceptional proficiency in tasks such as text generation, translation, and summarization. However, LLMs are prone to generating biased, inaccurate, or contextually irrelevant outputs, posing significant risks in high-stakes domains such as healthcare, legal reasoning, and engineering. This paper systematically investigates the role of prompt engineering as a solution to these challenges. By strategically designing inputs, prompt engineering enhances LLM performance, yielding more accurate, contextually relevant, and ethically aligned outputs. Advanced techniques, including chain-of-thought (CoT) prompting and retrieval augmented generation (RAG), are examined for their ability to improve reasoning capabilities, reduce errors, and mitigate bias. CoT prompting facilitates structured, stepwise reasoning, while RAG incorporates real-time data, ensuring output accuracy in rapidly evolving fields. In addition, we present a novel comparative perspective on these techniques, highlighting their distinct strengths and limitations across specialized applications such as healthcare diagnostics and scientific data extraction. The findings demonstrate that sophisticated prompt engineering significantly elevates the reliability and precision of LLM outputs, while addressing critical ethical concerns such as data privacy, bias, and hallucination. These insights underscore the necessity of advanced prompt design in optimizing LLMs for high-impact applications, ensuring both performance and ethical integrity.
Co-Authors - Khaeruman Abd Halim, Nur Syakinah Abduh, Amirullah Abdull Rahim Mohd Yusoff Abdullah, Mas Fathasha Abu Bakar Adam Bachtiar Maulachela AHMADI Ahzan, Sukainil Aishalya, Althafia Siti Al-Obaidi, Abdulkareem Sh. Mahdi Alaydrus, Kadir Alpan Amri Amin Annisa, Vera Nur Anwar, Kaspul Ardi, Raden Fanny Printi Ariani, Dwi Ariansyah Ariansyah, Ariansyah Aris Doyan Asep Bayu Dani Nandiyanto Astuti, Mei Dwi Asy’ari, Muhammad Ayupratiwi, Trisya Azmi, Irham Azmiyati, Ismi Baiq Asma Nufida Bayani, Faizul Burhanuddin Burhanuddin Dahlia Rosma Indah Deny Setiawan Fadilah, Himmi Raudatul Fajria, Gebrina Rezky Fatawi, Izzul Fauzi Ahmad Muda Fitriani Fitriani Fitriani, Herdiyana Gargazi Gargazi Girsang, Gabriela Chelvina Santiuly Grendis, Nuraqilla Waidha Bintang Habibi Habibi Hamdani, Muhammad Hasbul Wafi Mohammad Hammouti, Belkheir Harisanti, Baiq Muli Hassim, Faten Khairullisa Najihah Hayati, Susruhiyatun Herawati Susilo Hidayat, Linda Fasha Hikmah Buroidah Hulyadi, Hulyadi Irman Suherman Kharomah, Sindi Kharomah, Sinta Kuncahyono Kuncahyono Kurnia, Nova Kurniawan, Ervin Dwi M. Muhali Maratussolihah, Permata Md Nordin, Nik Abdul Hadi Melayu, Audrey Menti Baring Anak Mesarah, Siti Mirawati, Baiq Mizriaty, Alfina Mohd Asri, Muhammad Amir Nasrin Mohd Hizam, Shafiq Mubarak, Syarifatul Mugianti, Dinnida Sulistiani Muhammad Asy'ari Mujakir Mujakir Mustofa, Hisbulloh Als Nasrul Arahman Novrizal, Ricko Salza Nugraha, Hilda Herliani Obie Farobie Pangga, Dwi Pathan, Pathan Permana, Wegy Predy Piantari, Erna Prayogi, Saiful R. Siti Pupu Fauziah Ragadhita, Risti Rahma, Arinda Yusfika Rahmadianti, Salma Ramadhan, Muhamad Justitia Razak, Nik Nurul Ain Nabilah Riyanto, Muhammad Roestamy, Martin Sabila, Luthfia Shamsuddin, Norazanita Sharov, Sergii Shin, Wong Yen Siti Zubaidah Sopian, Aldi Sri Aprilia Suhartini, Sriyanti Sukriyadi, Sukriyadi Susilawati, Susilawati Sutarto Sutarto Syaputra, Ijlal Dhea Syarafah, Karina Nur Syazwany, Aisha Nadhira Syuhada, Themy Sabri Taufik Samsuri Tedi Kurniawan Teguh Kurniawan Tien, Ho Hao Tri Kuncoro Tyas, Kanthi Pawening Wirzal, Mohd Dzul Hakim Yaqin, Lalu Nurul Yuliana, Depi Yuni, Elza Yusran Khery, Yusran Yusup, Muhammad Yusril Zahrah, Natasya Adiba