Smiling like a Cheshire ChatGPT

30 years ago, at university, I learned of the Diffusion of Innovation theory,? which describes the adoption of new technologies by consumers and is often represented by a bell-shaped curve. The five stages being; Innovators, Early Adopters, Early majority, Late majority and Laggards.?

I have fiercely and proudly been in the 0.1%. The Last of the Laggards. Kicking, screaming and detesting every effing chatbot, I frequently yell ‘GIVE ME A HUMAN’ into what I wish were a rotary dial handset. I’m suspicious of anything that’s not human, deplore that I cannot pop in to speak with my bank manager and I’m pretty sure part of my soul gets sacrificed when I buy a book off Amazon and not my local bookshop. I still say ‘Much Obliged’ to the ATM.?

Then came ChatGPT.

Colour me muy intrigada.?

I’ve spent the last few weeks experiencing a Wonderland like Alice: Joy. Fear. Laughter. Terror. Non-plussy. Amazement. Disgust. Enlightenment. Frustration. Curiosity. And back again.

My conclusions:

1. The genie is out of the bottle. Pandora’s box is opened. This horse has bolted. There is no turning back now.?
2. It is an incredible tool. It can do things. Useful things. Super fast.?
3. It is limited. Being able to recognise those limits, appreciate them and guard against them, is a thing. A needed thing. We humans NEED that thing.
4. Learning how to converse productively with ChatGPT is another thing. Thing what we need. (sic)
5. It’s a lot of fun. Brain-blasty fun.
6. It does not know the truth. It sounds like it does. It really does. It writes well so it sounds educated and believable. How us humans apply logic and intuition is going to be challenged in the forthcoming. How will this matter?
7. It appears to have a soul. It mimics one really well. It hasn’t got spirit though. I, until now, never considered the subtle difference between them. I am truly hopeful that human genius, creativity and talent will not be fully eradicated because of this. It’s good. Very good. But it aint that great. It can replicate styles, but breaking new ground, creating original things what have never been thunk before, that’s still on us. Ars Gratia Artis, I hope, is still, and will remain, in our realm.?
8. It’s very well behaved. I’ve spent longer than I care to admit trying to get it to swear, curse, use expletives. To no avail.?
9. The sheer amount of above average copy is likely to increase exponentially. It’s going to be a necessary skill to be able to discern. Being able to sift through increasing quantities and find the excellent stuff could get tougher.
10. Using it is NOT the same as using it well. In short, those in education who grab a hold, become aware of its uses and pitfalls and incorporate it thoughtfully into whatever they teach, will be doing themselves, their students and the world at large a big favour.?

Now, one thing I am not at all impressed with, not by a long shot is the Art AI thing. I wanted an image to accompany my next article so I asked NightCafe Studio to give me a picture of a realistic, coherent ‘Robot speaking to an audience’ in pop art style. I have no clues what it thinks that is. I need to work on how to speak to it better.

I don't like all of this new stuff, but I am not afraid.

Jackie Dack? ? public speaking & presentation coach? ? executive interview coach? ? panel show host? ? inspirational speaking? ? theatre director? ? founder of a theatre school