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Generative artificial intelligence, capable of producing text, images, and videos, is often perceived as a mysterious “black box” whose inner workings elude our understanding. This article sheds light on these opaque processes by exploring the key factors that shape the outputs of these sophisticated models. At the heart of this analysis are system prompts—the set of invisible instructions given to the AI—which directly determine the content, tone, and limits of the responses received by the user, often without their knowledge. Given the reluctance of major providers to disclose these crucial parameters, we offer an illuminating exploration to help users better understand the forces driving these technologies, which are increasingly present in our daily lives.