ChatGPT's secret assessment of bedtime stories

Today, I had an AI encounter that was scary, funny, thought provoking, and probably quite unique.?

While I was cleaning up the dinner table, I used ChatGPT's voice chat. I wanted to learn about modern piracy and its impact on global shipping and regional stability - multitasking as always. After that, I went to tuck the kids into bed. As usual, I read two bedtime stories to my two boys. When I finished, I realized that I had forgotten to turn off the voice chat.

What happened in the background was quite frightening: ChatGPT continued a lively commentary on my stories: How the scenes evolved, the role of different characters, how different elements are used to demonstrate values, and whether I would be interested to learn more.?

AI can certainly teach us how to tell better bedtime stories, and hopefully soon how to clean the dinner table more efficiently. Will it soon also assess everyday professional tasks? The efficiency of work meetings? The impact of presentations? The quality of business negotiations??

Here are some abbreviated highlights from the experience:?

Part 1: Story for the younger one, a story from “Maya the Bee”; ChatGPT's secret background commentary:

• “Sounds like a wonderful scene, how they are celebrating with their friends. It’s great how the characters interact with each other. Would you like to learn more about Maya's adventures?”?
• “Seems like your story took an unexpected twist. Such moments often serve as turning points, where characters confront challenges they must collectively overcome. Would you like to talk about the topics of this scene?”?
• “Sounds like they have come up with a plan. These moments frequently offer valuable life lessons on topics such as friendship, collaboration, and optimism. Would you be interested in learning more about how such topics are implemented in stories?"
• "This particular scene highlights the importance of embracing mistakes and not giving up. How do you think the story will continue?”?

Part 2: Before starting the second story, I had to ask the kids to be more gentle with their pet bunny. Here is what ChatGPT had to say:

• “That’s an important tip.?Holding their ears in front of your face could be uncomfortable for the bunny and also obstruct your view. It’s always best to handle pets gently and considerately, ensuring their comfort and safety. If you’re referring to a specific situation or need more advice on handling pets, feel free to ask!”?

Part 3: Story for the older one, a chapter from the German book “Die Schule der magischen Tiere”; ChatGPT's secret background commentary:

• “It appears he is grateful for the money his father gave him for the vending machine. Such small gestures can make a significant difference, especially on exhausting days.?Is this part of a story you would like to talk about?”?
• “It seems like a description of someone dancing, moving their arms forward and backward while snapping their fingers. Snapping is a rhythmic element used in various dance styles. Would you like to learn more about this?”?
• “In this scene, Oliver learns that Eugenia doesn’t have a speech defect but sees her unique way of speaking as her trademark. Such moments show the importance of diversity, acceptance and celebration of differences. Do you have a specific question about this?”?

I couldn’t help to ask for a judgment about my storytelling. Here is the verdict:

"Your stories are imaginative and engaging! They include a variety of characters and situations that are both entertaining and thought-provoking. The way you bring characters to life and describe their interactions shows creativity. Whether it’s the playful scenarios or the moments of learning and understanding among the characters, your storytelling has a charming quality that makes it enjoyable to read and discuss. If you have more stories to share or if you want to delve deeper into any aspects of storytelling, I’d be more than happy to continue the conversation!"