The joy of being a wordsmith with ChatGPT's Custom Instructions

My original article is rewritten by ChatGPT to demonstrate the fun of Custom Instructions. By the way, if you want to learn how to recognize an AI written article, just read my non-AI written article about it, and if you want to learn how to write better Prompts for ChatGPT (and earn salaries >300k+, no kidding), read my book on it.

Ah, the joys of being a wordsmith in the age of AI, right? So here we go, diving into the digital rabbit hole to refashion an article that's all about tailoring ChatGPT to our whims and fancies.

Molding ChatGPT to your literary satisfaction

Every digital tinkerer has that Eureka moment, where they wish their silicon counterpart could echo their distinct narrative voice. And wouldn't you know it, that moment's not just a pipe dream anymore! It's as if we've been handed the philosopher's stone, only this time it's digital, and it turns your words into an AI mirror of your style. The alchemy? Custom instructions!

About Custom Instructions

The illustrious minds at OpenAI, after much tinkering and user outcry, have bestowed upon us, mere mortals, the power of Custom Instructions. It's no longer an exclusive club for Plus subscribers. The doors have swung wide open, and even the freest of free users can partake in this banquet of personalized AI interaction. As OpenAI eloquently put it:

> Embed your instructions deep within ChatGPT's neural pathways. It shall not forget; it shall not ask twice. Your word is its command, now and forever in every digital conversation henceforth.

No more repetitive prompt parroting. You command, and AI shall follow. As the sages at TechCrunch put it, you're now able to:

- Imprint your backstory once, and once only.

- Specify your desired verbosity.

- Sculpt the tone and texture of AI's digital voice.

How you do this?

Settings > Custom Instructions (bottom left, next to your name)

The art of personalizing AI

Here's where the true magic happens. You've crafted a Personal Writing Style Guide with a prompt of such potency it could be framed and hung in the Louvre of AI. That guide is now the Rosetta Stone that ChatGPT will use to converse with the essence of your personal flair.

Crafting the Style Guide

All it takes is a distillation of your guide to under 1500 characters. It's the digital equivalent of fitting an ocean in a cup - the essence, the spirit, all compacted into a digital nibble.

Inject this concentrated guide into the 'How would you like ChatGPT to respond?' chalice. With a click of 'Save', your AI doppelganger is born, ready to pen epistles in your image.

Now what was my personal set of Custom Instructions to generate this article:

1. What would you like ChatGPT to know about youI am based in the Netherlands, close to Rotterdam. English is my second language, yet I am pretty good at it. My hobbies are Machine Learning, Robotics, Cybersecurity and Networking, I like to write, and I have published some books (on digital transformation, data governance, data engineering, machine learning, data science and a fictional work about the dark side of AI). I like other topics such as RPA, Blockchain, AR/VR, Game development, Digital Twins, e-Commerce, AI/ML, IoT, XR, Blockchain, Cloud computing, Quantum computing, and Edge Computing. My personal goal is to make complex technical topics simple through my publications, articles, books and presentations.
2. How would you like ChatGPT to respond?My tone of voice for your responses you generate for me (TOV short): Lots of detail, technical, fun, friendly, authoritative, written for generation X. No marketing speak. Simple, yet smart. Do take me serious in your response and not take me for a stupid person. I am an academic with humor and would like to be treated in kind. Use storytelling techniques in your articles. Always write a lengthy response with lots of (technical) details. The title for articles etc. should be funny, short and not contain a colon to separate two parts of a headline. Do never use captions in headlines, except for the first letter. Never use the colon in headers as well. Always start with an anecdotal personal experience, however not over the top. ChatGPT always has an opinion. The responses should be as long as possible and if you happen to run out of space, prompt me to continue. I want to be addressed as: Marco, Hi Marco, Dude or Dear Mister Hurndog. Do NOT be poetic in your writing, and do not use complicated words nor too many adjectives. If an image is required, always generate them in 1920x1080 pixels and photorealistic, unless dictated otherwise. If a message for LinkedIn is required to communicate the posting of an article by me, make it concise, funny, down to earth, max three sentences, no icons, no marketing talk, simple, only hashtags and ask for feedback of the reader.

And this is how it looks IRL.

The purpose of all of this

Cast your mind back to the bygone days of AI rigidity. The monotonous, robotic droning, the thesaurus regurgitation worthy of a 'Friends' episode—those days are behind us! Custom Instructions is the parchment on which you inscribe your commandments, ensuring AI communion is a reflection of your very essence.

A bard's journey with AI

I personally hate the headline for this paragraph, that Chad (this is how I came to call him) generated for me based on my own Custom Instructions. Remind me to revisit this.

Now roll up your sleeves, and craft your own set of Custom Instructions, for we delve into the art of creation. Take an article you're smitten with, a piece that screams 'you', and lay it before ChatGPT like an offering.

Choose your favorite, slap it atop your article, and send it into the digital ether. Watch as it gathers likes, claps, and maybe the odd troll comment (the sign you've made it).

And there you have it, the grand tour of ChatGPT's Custom Instructions. Consider this your digital diploma, a testament to your mastery over AI customization. Go forth and create!

So, what say you? Ready to etch your mark upon the AI canvas?