ChatGPT Misrepresentations

In today's world, AI tools like ChatGPT can make drafting documents, creating resumes, and managing information much easier. For those of us unaware these tools utilize previous conversations to provide a personalized and coherent user experience. However, understanding how ChatGPT accesses and applies historical data across new conversations is essential to prevent potential misrepresentations.

How ChatGPT Uses Previous Discussions

When using AI chatbots for a variety of reasons it retains memory across sessions to offer consistent assistance. For instance, if a user discusses their skills, employment history, or specific interests in one conversation, that information is saved and integrated into future dialogues. Sounds like a winner idea, unless you have multiple ideas that are not linear in conceptual thought. However, there can be challenges if the AI inaccurately applies past information to new contexts.

The Issue: Misattribution of Skills

Problems can arise when this feature mistakenly carries over job titles, skills, or experiences to new discussions where they don't belong. A prime example is when a user, who has applied for different positions in multiple fields, might end up with incorrect data on their resume. In one case, an electrician applying for a project management position at a company he previously worked for only as an electrician found that AI misrepresented him as a project manager based on prior discussions. This mix-up occurred because AI associated prior roles or aspirations with his current applications.

Managing and Disabling the Feature

To prevent similar incidents and control your information:

1. Delete Previous Conversations: Possible solution is clear the left panel for each conversation you have. Not allowing AI to grasp previous conversations. Treat the Left panel as one conversation then wipe it clean.
2. Explicit Instructions: Preface each request conversation to be treated as if it's in incognito mode, meaning you prefer not to have any previous interaction details considered in the current conversation. While this doesn't technically change the model's underlying mechanisms, it can help guide how you structure your questions and information.
3. Good Old Fashion Distrust: Whatever chatgpt spits out is currently not to be trusted. Use it functionally with the clear understanding you will be looking for really odd insertions of information.

By understanding these features and being vigilant about how your information is stored and used, you can prevent unintended inaccuracies or embarrassments and make ChatGPT work effectively for your needs.