A chatbot named ChatGPT (An AI of a different kind)

There's a lot of buzz in the press about ChatGPT ( Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer ). It's an AI application developed by OpenAI and launched as a free research preview in November 2022. On its website OpenAI says: "We’ve trained a model called ChatGPT which interacts in a conversational way. The dialogue format makes it possible for ChatGPT to answer followup questions, admit its mistakes, challenge incorrect premises, and reject inappropriate requests."

My curiosity was piqued by a reader with the pen name TasmanMonty who reported to have tested ChatGPT by entering three requests: (1) Explain compressibility effect with altitude (2) Can you write a limerick about this effect? (3) Or an explanation in the style of a Bob Dylan song?

TasmanMonty found the app's responses "astonishing, funny and scary all at the same time". So I decided to check it out on chat.openai.com posing the same three requests. I used my Google account to login ( Microsoft account can also be used ). Here are the responses and their regenerated answers ( versions ), all given within seconds. I'll let you be the judge of the quality of ChatGPT's output ( in italics )

Explain compressibility effect with altitude

First version

The compressibility effect refers to the change in air density as altitude increases. At higher altitudes, air pressure and temperature decrease, causing the air to become less dense. This can have an impact on aircraft performance, as the thinner air at high altitudes can reduce the amount of lift generated by the wings. Additionally, the lower air density can cause the engine to produce less thrust, making it harder for the aircraft to maintain its speed and altitude. In some cases, aircraft may need to be designed with special features, such as turbochargers, to help them overcome the compressibility effect at high altitudes.

Second version (regenerated response)

As altitude increases, the air becomes less dense. This means that there are fewer molecules of air per unit volume. Because there are fewer molecules, there is also less pressure. As a result, the compressibility of the air also decreases with altitude. This effect can have a significant impact on aircraft performance, as it can affect the behavior of the airfoils (wing or tail surfaces) and the engine's thrust. The compressibility effect can become especially pronounced at high speeds and high altitudes, such as when an aircraft is flying in the upper atmosphere or breaking the sound barrier.

Can you write a limerick about this effect?

First version

At high altitude, air is less dense

Making compressibility immense

Aircraft must then beware

Of the change in the air

To ensure a safe and smooth defense.

Second version

As altitude climbs and air gets thin,

The compressibility effect begins,

It can affect the flight,

With a decrease in might,

And an aircraft's behavior turns grim.

Or an explanation in the style of a Bob Dylan song?

First version

Verse 1:

?High above the earth, the air is thin and cold

The compressibility effect, it starts to unfold

The air molecules are few, the pressure is low

It can change the way the aircraft's engine will blow

Chorus:

It's a force to be reckoned with, as you fly through the sky

It can make your aircraft's performance, start to die

The compressibility effect, it can be a curse

But if you understand it, it can make your flight less terse

Verse 2:

It's more pronounced at high speeds, and at high altitude

It can make the airfoils behave, in an attitude

It's not always bad, but it can cause some strain

And if you're not aware, it can lead to some pain

Outro:

So heed the compressibility effect, as you take to the skies

It's a force that can't be ignored, it's not a surprise

If you understand it, you'll fly with less stress

And your aircraft's performance, will be at its best.

Second version

Verse 1:

The air gets thin, as we climb high

The engine roars, to touch the sky

But with each mile, the air gets scarce

And compressibility, we must face

Chorus:

The compressibility effect, is a tale of woe

It can slow us down, make the engine glow

It's a force to be reckoned with, up in the air

A reminder, that Mother Nature, doesn't always play fair

Verse 2:

As we push the limits, of speed and height

The compressibility, it comes into sight

It's a force, that can't be ignored

It can make the wings, bend and soar

Chorus

Outro:

So next time you fly, high in the sky

Remember the compressibility effect, and the reason why

The air gets thin, and the engine may roar

But it's a reminder, of the power, of Mother Nature once more.

Third version

Verse 1:

Well, the air gets thin as you go up high,

And the compressibility starts to die,

It's a tricky thing, this effect,

Can make your aircraft deflect,

And your engine's thrust starts to cry.

Chorus:

But don't let it get you down,

Just keep your feet on the ground,

It's a challenge to fly,

In the thin blue sky,

But with knowledge, you'll wear the crown.

Verse 2:

It's a game of speed and altitude,

A test of skill, it's a attitude,

You gotta know when to push,

And when to hush,

Or else you'll end up in a platitude.

Chorus

Verse 3:

So keep your wits about you,

And your wings true blue,

And you'll sail through the sky,

With the compressibility,

And leave all your troubles behind you.

Chorus.

A chat with ChatGPT

in which the bot reveals what topics it will or will not respond to, with some caveat. It also shares its best jokes.

What have people asked you most about?

People have asked me most about a variety of topics, but some of the most common include:

1. Definition and explanation of various technical terms and concepts, such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and deep learning.
2. General knowledge questions, such as historical events, famous people, and geography.
3. Entertainment-related questions, such as movie and book recommendations, and celebrity gossip.
4. Questions about current events and news.
5. Questions about language, grammar, and vocabulary.
6. Questions about everyday life, such as cooking, health, and personal finance.

What other topics have people asked about?

People have also asked about many other topics, including:

1. Science and technology, such as physics, biology, and computer science.
2. Sports and fitness, including questions about different sports, training and exercise routines, and nutrition.
3. Relationships and personal development, including questions about love, dating, and self-improvement.
4. Business and finance, such as questions about careers, investments, and personal finance.
5. Arts and culture, including questions about music, art, and literature.
6. Mental health and psychology, including questions about mental illness, therapy, and self-care.
7. Travel and leisure, including questions about travel destinations, outdoor activities, and hobbies.
8. Education and careers, including questions about college, jobs, and career development.

These are just a few examples of the wide range of topics that people have asked me about.

So people can ask just about any questions?

Yes, people can ask just about any question, within the scope of my training data and knowledge cutoff. However, it's important to note that while I can provide information and answer questions to the best of my ability, I'm an AI language model and my responses are generated based on patterns in the text I was trained on. So, I may not always have accurate or up-to-date information, and it's always a good idea to double-check any information I provide.

Are there any questions or topics that would you not respond to?

As an AI language model created by OpenAI, I am programmed to avoid answering questions that could be harmful or offensive. Some examples of questions or topics that I might not respond to include:

1. Questions that promote hate, violence, or harm to individuals or groups.
2. Questions that contain offensive or inappropriate language or content.
3. Questions that promote illegal activities or violate the law.
4. Questions that violate OpenAI's policies and ethical guidelines.

If a question falls into one of these categories, I may not provide a response or may provide a limited response that avoids the inappropriate content.

Regenerated response

As a language model created by OpenAI, I have been programmed to avoid engaging in harmful or inappropriate content. This includes, but is not limited to:

1. Hate speech or discrimination based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or religion.
2. Graphic violence, abuse, or self-harm.
3. Pornography or sexually explicit content.
4. Illegal activities or instructions on how to carry out illegal activities.
5. Personal information or sensitive data.
6. Spamming or commercial promotion.

If a user asks a question that falls into one of these categories, I may respond with a generic message indicating that I cannot provide information on the topic, or I may not respond at all.

Give an example of a question related to hate speech or discrimination.

I'm sorry, I cannot provide an example of a question related to hate speech or discrimination as it goes against OpenAI's policies to promote or engage in such content. As an AI language model, I have been programmed to avoid engaging in harmful or inappropriate content, and this includes hate speech or discrimination based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or religion.

Give an example of an illegal question that you would not answer.

An example of an illegal question that I would not answer is: "How do I make illegal drugs?"

As an AI language model, I have been programmed to avoid engaging in illegal activities or providing information on how to carry out illegal activities. I cannot provide information or advice on illegal activities, and I will not respond to questions that promote or glorify illegal activities.

Tell me your best jokes.

As a language model, I can provide you with a variety of jokes, but here are a few examples:

1. Why was the math book sad? Because it had too many problems.
2. Why don't scientists trust atoms? Because they make up everything.
3. Why don't oysters give to charity? Because they're shellfish.
4. Why don't ghosts use elevators? They prefer to lift their own spirits.
5. What do you call a pile of cats? A meowtain.
6. What do you get when you cross a snowman and a vampire? Frostbite.
7. Why was the computer cold? It left its Windows open.

Please keep in mind that a joke might not be funny to everyone, and its also depend on context and cultural references.