ChatGPT – A Threat to "Understanding"?

ChatGPT – an advanced AI-powered language model developed by OpenAI, capable of understanding and generating human-like text – is one of the most interesting technologic advancements in history. It joins the list of remarkable technology like the internet, 3D printers, and the mechanical wristwatch as a technology that is both incredibly powerful and openly available to the public. But what makes it so special is the sheer variety of its potential application from programming to journalism to entertainment. It is difficult to grasp just how this form of AI will shape the future but with Microsoft quick to invest $10 billion into the company behind ChatGPT, there can be no doubt that it will.

The Application:

ChatGPT is capable of various tasks but one of its most talked about is its capability to understand, write, and troubleshoot several programming languages including Python, Java, C++, C#, JavaScript, Ruby, Swift, Go, and Kotlin. There are an array of videos and forums online showcasing peoples use of ChatGPT to build websites, apps and even malicious software (something which OpenAI has since addressed) in a matter of minutes. Just copy and paste what ChatGPT provides and with a little programming knowledge you can create something that would’ve taken days.

ChatGPT has been fed and trained on over 10 billion lines of text (570GBs of text data) and is effectively a massive encyclopedia of knowledge with understanding of context and perspective. It has been used to write rap songs in the style of Tupac as well as logical essays on just about any well understood topic. So its not surprising that universities are already reporting students being caught using it to complete assignments (which is considered cheating to be clear). The power of ChatGPT is immense and has had to be limited by the developers at OpenAI to ensure the public cannot use it for nefarious or inappropriate tasks.

The Problem:

Just like deepfake algorithms were used to create pornography of Hollywood actresses, or 3D printers have been used to print fully operational firearms, people have a knack for pushing the limits of technology into uncharted and often dangerous territory.

In the case of ChatGPT, the concern may be less shocking but far more enduring - the devaluing of understanding. If a machine is capable for completing our code, homework, and various tasks at work (or even our entire job), it isn’t difficult to imagine that the chore of understanding something like coding syntax, basic mathematics or grammatical theory will be completely neglected by those looking for an easy fix. Except, these are the critical building blocks that enable a workforce to become skilled enough to work and be supported by AI rather than replaced by it.

The consequences of GPT models are difficult to predict too far into the future especially considering the rate at which this technology is expected to improve. However, the capabilities it provides right now (even after OpenAI imposed ad hoc limitations on the model following unintended uses of the model) have serious implications for cyber security, education, entertainment, finance, and all aspects of understanding amongst human beings.

The Solution:

I’ve asked ChatGPT to give me cooking recipes with credible substitutes for the items I don’t have. Its helped me produce dummy data and write a script to clean it once I’d intentionally dirtied it with issues you’d see in large corporations today. It helped me research this piece you’re reading. It wrote me a piece of python code. But what was the greatest thing it did for me? It explained each step of its answer and allowed me to question it relentlessly until I understood everything it had returned to me.

And that’s why ChatGPT is the future of understanding – it’s the world’s best tutor. For those who are willing to take the initiative to understand, they will find a tool that will allow them to explore thousands of topics instantly with just a question. From there, you can ask ChatGPT to explain its answers and deep dive into any part of its response you don’t understand - a new era for learning and education. ?

ChatGPT and technology like it will no doubt take away jobs that exist today. However, it’s also the technology that will shape the jobs of tomorrow and those who ignore or take for granted will be left behind.??