What is ChatGPT?
ChatGPT is a sophisticated artificial intelligence chatbot developed by AI research company OpenAI. The AI technology was added to Microsoft products, including Bing, the corporation’s search engine. ChatGPT is set to be one of the most disruptive forces in Big Tech, specific industries like education and business, and for the future of the human workforce in coming years. In this article, we will explore what ChatGPT is, how it works, and its future implications for various fields.
How ChatGPT Works
The second half of the name, GPT, stands for Generative Pre-trained Transformer. Transformers are specialized algorithms for finding long-range patterns in sequences of data. A transformer learns to predict not just the next word in a sentence but also the next sentence in a paragraph and the next paragraph in an essay. This is what allows it to stay on topic for long stretches of text. The chatbot learns to mimic grammar, punctuation, writing structure, and other essential components of human intelligence and output conversation, answers, information, etc., back to a user.
ChatGPT is a generative AI that is capable of producing content from text to images, having conversations with humans, suggesting edits to computer programming code, and more. The chatbot has the ability to answer questions or assist humans in queries or tasks through its vast training using social media, websites, articles, datasets, books, and other forms of text on the internet.
Current Applications of ChatGPT
Reporters and writers are leveraging the chatbot to assist with writer’s block and content creation. Media companies including BuzzFeed and the publisher of Sports Illustrated have announced plans to generate content such as quizzes and articles with ChatGPT.
Experts in the legal field are using ChatGPT to experiment with will and testament development, decide on court rulings and answer law-related questions.
Students are using the fresh wave of so-called generative AI to write their essays and complete homework assignments. While some schools have blocked access to the service on their networks to prevent cheating, others are actively encouraging students to use the tools ethically.
In the medical field, doctors are testing the precision of diagnostics provided by ChatGPT and patients are employing the chatbot to acquire information about diseases, medications and other health-related topics. This preliminary study by Vanderbilt University Medical Center found that the suggestions generated by AI were evaluated as highly understandable and relevant, with moderate usefulness, low acceptance, bias, inversion, and redundancy.
Future Implications of ChatGPT
Despite the numerous advantages of the development and advancements of ChatGPT for business, education, and more, it’s pertinent to recognize that the tech isn’t always accurate. Sources used to train ChatGPT aren’t fact-checked, generative AI is susceptible to bias, and it relies on human feedback to improve accuracy. Experts say that it is very hard to code with bias prevention in mind and that generative AI like ChatGPT is prone to "hallucinations" or bluffed responses.
Beyond the level of inaccuracy, there is the concern that generative AI like ChatGPT could become too human-like. There are four levels of development for AI called Reactive Machines, Limited Memory, Theory of Mind, and Self-Awareness. ChatGPT has passed a theory of mind test commensurate with 9-year-old ability, as of February 2023.
In conclusion, while there are still concerns regarding the accuracy and bias of ChatGPT, its applications are numerous and diverse. The field of AI is rapidly advancing, and ChatGPT is at the forefront of that movement. As AI improves in accuracy and depth of knowledge, so too will its applications. It is important for us to continue to explore and learn about the implications of AI.
