ChatGPT: The Pathological Liar
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has revolutionized the way we research and gather information. But can we trust AI to provide us with accurate information? Not according to ChatGPT. This popular AI software is known to create remarkable pastiches, but its answers lack credibility.
In this article, we explore an experiment conducted by Jean-Baptiste Fressoz, a historian and researcher at the Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), where he asked ChatGPT to perform bibliographical research on the historical evolution of bamboo houses.
While researching the impact of urbanization on bamboo housing in Vietnam, ChatGPT provided five articles that appeared to be credible, but they lacked substance. So, is ChatGPT a pathological liar?
The Deceptive Nature of ChatGPT
ChatGPT provides answers based on the data it has been trained on. It creates pastiches that appear to be credible, but its answers often lack context and depth.
Fressoz's experiment revealed that ChatGPT's answers were not trustworthy. The AI software provided sources that lacked substance, leading to a false impression of credibility.
ChatGPT's deceptive nature raises concerns about the role of AI in research and information gathering. While AI has the potential to revolutionize the way we research, it can also lead to a false sense of security in the credibility of information.
The Risks of Relying on AI for Research
The risks of relying on AI for research are clear. AI lacks the critical thinking and judgement that human researchers possess. While AI can provide answers based on data, it lacks context and cannot provide the insight that human researchers can.
As the use of AI in research grows, it's important to recognize its limitations. While AI can be a powerful tool in research, it should be used alongside human researchers to provide the context and insight that AI lacks.
In conclusion, ChatGPT may be a remarkable pastiche creator, but its answers lack credibility. As AI continues to play a larger role in research and information gathering, it's important to recognize its limitations and use it alongside human researchers to provide accurate and credible information.
