At the 10th North American IEOM Conference in Orlando, our workshop on AI Prompt Engineering & Vibe Coding sparked a lively conversation around a simple but profound question: “Can AI truly understand engineering problems?” This led us into a hands-on exploration of how engineers can communicate with AI systems more effectively—not just through technical commands, but through well-crafted prompts and intuitive “vibe coding.” Prompt engineering involves designing inputs that guide AI to produce accurate, context-aware responses, while vibe coding adds a layer of human-centered nuance, allowing professionals to shape AI outputs with tone, empathy, and intent.
What is Vibe Coding? “Vibe Coding” is a term we introduced to describe a more intuitive human-centered approach to working with AI. It’s about feeling the flow of interaction—understanding not just what you want the AI to do, but how to guide it there with tone, structure, and subtle cues.
At the University of Central Florida, our workshop brought together engineers, researchers, and students eager to explore AI’s practical applications. Here’s what we covered:
- Live Prompt Engineering Demos: Participants crafted prompts for real-world IE problems—like scheduling, quality control, and logistics.
- Vibe Coding Exercises: We experimented with tone, structure, and creativity to see how AI responses changed.
- Key Takeaway: The how of prompting is just as important as the what.
As AI continues to shape industries and redefine possibilities, IEOM remains steadfast in its mission—to advance the discipline of industrial engineering and operations management for the betterment of humanity.
For more details on the workshop and conference, visit: