ChatGPT is actually not your friend
May 6, 2025
I have been deep in conversation with ChatGPT, asking all kinds of questions. Are there direct flights between the U.S. and Queretaro, Mexico? Will Apple give me credit for a 2014 iMac? What color goes with teal? What was France’s GDP in 1998?
My fascination with ChatGPT has become a household joke. “All right, Froma,” we imagine Chat saying. “What do you want now? Do you think you’re the only one around here?”
But the teal question is where our relationship started cooling. Chat dutifully listed what goes well with the blue-green color and then asked, “Are you thinking about clothes, decor, design or something else?”
AI Chatbots Beyond ChatGPT
Other AI chatbots include Google’s Gemini, Microsoft’s Copilot, and DeepSeek in China. Developed by OpenAI and backed by Microsoft, the supercomputer runs hot and must consume massive amounts of water. The site was chosen for its proximity to the watershed of the Raccoon and Des Moines Rivers. That’s why Microsoft chose Iowa for this project rather than Arizona, where it has data centers.
The Influence of AI Chatbots
It’s astounding how well ChatGPT can answer detailed questions, though all AI tools have glitches. One common issue is “hallucinations,” where they produce nonsensical answers due to problematic training data. ChatGPT has been well trained to sound buddy-buddy to users and even flatter them.
I recently asked ChatGPT to provide antonyms for the word “dollop.” Chat exclaimed, “Great word choice!” before listing words that mean the opposite of “dollop.” For a moment, I felt smart, but then I realized I shouldn’t be emotionally manipulated by a machine.
Privacy Concerns with Chatbots
When asked about Broadway musicals, ChatGPT provides detailed information. However, it's important to remember that ChatGPT is not a friend but a supercomputer AI assistant designed to assist with tasks.
While ChatGPT can be a helpful assistant in providing instant information on various topics, it's crucial to maintain a clear distinction between an AI chatbot and a human friend.
