How ChatGPT can make a cloud engineers life easier
ChatGPT can make tasks like infrastructure provisioning, DevOps automation, cost optimization, cloud strategy, and documentation much simpler.
Apr 15, 2024 • 4 Minute Read
Welcome to the dynamic world of cloud engineering! In a realm characterized by intricate tasks, constant change, and endless opportunities, every cloud engineer seeks that edge – a tool, a skill, or an innovation – that can elevate their work to the next level.
Can ChatGPT be used for this purpose? The answer is a resounding ‘yes’, and in this article, I’ll explain how.
The power of prompt engineering in cloud tasks
You might have heard the term prompt engineering before. If you’re not familiar, it’s about crafting specific inputs to receive desired outputs from AI models like ChatGPT. To put it simply, if you put garbage in, you get garbage out, so what you give it is very important!
Prompt engineering is even more vital when you’re handling intricate cloud computing tasks, where precision is crucial. However, when done right, a great prompt can simplify a complex operation or generate an intelligent script tailored to your needs.
Examples of cloud engineering tasks using ChatGPT
1. Infrastructure Provisioning
Want to automate AWS infrastructure tasks? Let ChatGPT help you design it. ChatGPT is a master of python with its new Code Interpreter feature (now called Advanced Data Analytics). It can write and run python code within a sandboxed, firewalled environment that lasts the duration of the chat. You can also get it to assist with writing code and testing in other ways.
Just make sure you review the script like you would for a human colleague!
2. DevOps Automation
Seamlessly integrate coding, testing, and deployment with prompts tailored for DevOps scenarios (Note: GenAI was on our list of top tools DevOps pros need to learn in 2023).
3. Cost Optimization
Okay, important caveat: Make sure you’re not inserting sensitive data with this one, and you probably want your history toggle off in ChatGPT’s data controls (Which, while we’re on it, is probably just good general security advice). You might also just want to consider ChatGPT for Enterprise which has security and data privacy built in.
For this prompt, you can upload files for ChatGPT to review with the new Advanced Data Analytics feature, or just insert the snippet that you want it to review.
4. Assisting with cloud strategy
Questions like this are a great launching pad for coming up with your own strategy. Unless you’re using Browse with Bing (which has been temporarily removed by OpenAI) you’ll want to do your own research on what new options are available, due to ChatGPT’s knowledge cutoff date of September 2021. In this area, Google Bard currently has a distinct advantage.
5. Documentation and setup guidance
If something is a well recorded process, ChatGPT can distill the main points from otherwise painful to digest technical documentation.
Traps and Triumphs: Using ChatGPT responsibly
While ChatGPT is impressive, like any tool, it's essential to recognize its limitations.
Over-reliance
While ChatGPT provides quick answers, it shouldn't replace a deep understanding of AWS topics. It's a complement, not a substitute. You should exercise critical thinking at all time, and do your own research.
Data Privacy
Again, I mentioned it above, but it’s worth saying twice: ensure sensitive information isn't revealed in prompts. Always follow best practices for security and privacy.
If you’re in an organization that doesn’t have a GenAI usage policy, encourage them to write one. These are good best practices to apply across the board.
The Future: AI in cloud productivity
The partnership of AI and cloud engineering is only beginning. ChatGPT and similar AI tools herald a future where cloud engineers can:
Troubleshoot in real-time.
Generate scripts on-the-fly.
Forecast cloud expenses.
And much more…
In the vast universe of cloud engineering, staying updated and leveraging the latest tools can be the difference between good and great. ChatGPT, with its prompt engineering prowess, offers a promising avenue to achieve the latter.
Dive deeper: Equip yourself with knowledge
For those itching to explore prompt engineering's full potential in the AWS landscape, consider watching my A Cloud Guru course "Introduction to Prompt Engineering for the AWS Cloud Practitioner." This course is designed to merge theory with hands-on, ensuring you master the art of AI-powered cloud engineering.
Alternatively, Pluralsight offers a range of beginner, intermediate, and expert AI and ML courses, including dedicated courses on generative AI and tools like ChatGPT. You can sign up for a 10-day free trial with zero commitments, so why not check our courses out?
