What’s the Fuss About ChatGPT, and Should People be Worried?

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Introduction

ChatGPT was launched as a prototype on November 30, 2022. Long before that launch, I was experimenting with artificial intelligence writing software. I concluded that AI writing software works best when man and machine work in harmony. I still believe that the output from AI writing softwares can be improved with human involvement.

For instance, when you ask AI writing software to write an article for you, the output looks very good. And is often well written. But most times, the sentences are too long. Also, the software often repeats things in your article so you have to clean it up. And information relevant to you is often missing from the machine generated output. One thing I’ve discovered is you have to be very thoughtful about the instructions you give ChatGPT.

I asked ChatGPT and other AI writing software to summarize a book for me. When you first read the output, your response is this is great. But is it really great? The output is a good first draft. If you want to move from good to excellent, you MUST do the work. Augment what the AI writing software gives you.

When I checked the machine generated summary of the book against my notes, it was very problematic for me. All the things I thought were important in the book were missing in the machine generated one. Or they were glossed over. There were a few times the machine generated summary had quotes from the book. When I searched in the Kindle book, I couldn’t find the quotes.

In another machine generated book summary, the output had a six steps to success process. However, in the book, it was a seven-step process. If you hadn’t read the book for yourself, you’d assume the machine generated book summary was perfect.

Teachers are Concerned about ChatGPT

Teachers are concerned students will use ChatGPT to write their essays and submit them as their own. The concerns are real. Concerns always arise when new technology is introduced. Keep in mind that opportunities accompany new technologies. ChatGPT is here to stay. So, teachers should use this as a start to conversations about how to take what’s a decent first draft and make it better.?

The conversations should include thinking critically about the machine generated essay, looking at critical elements that are missing from the essay, and checking for accuracy. Don’t outsource your thinking to a machine. Use the machine to help you work faster and improve the quality of what you offer.

The same advice applies to professionals using ChatGPT. Think of the software as a tool to help you work faster.

Fun Exercise to Show How ChatGPT Works

Here's a fun exercise I did for you. I asked ChatGPT to create an outline for this article, What’s the Fuss About ChatGPT, and Should People be Worried??

I want you to look at the outline ChatGPT came up with. What information that applies to you is missing from the outline? And what would you add to the outline so it met your needs? Read the article ChatGPT generated. Is it good enough for you? Or would you use it as a first draft to build on?

Here is what ChatGPT came up with.

I. Introduction

A. Explanation of ChatGPT

B. Overview of current discussion and debate surrounding ChatGPT

II. Concerns about ChatGPT

A. Job displacement

B. Misuse by malicious actors

C. Ethical and societal implications

III. Potential benefits of ChatGPT

A. Increased efficiency and productivity

B. Advancements in language understanding and processing

C. Opportunities for innovation and growth in various industries

IV. Conclusion

A. Summary of key points

B. Importance of responsible development and use of advanced AI technology such as ChatGPT.

After ChatGPT created the outline for the article, I asked it to write the article for me. I corrected grammar mistakes, but those are the only changes I made.

I. Introduction

A. ChatGPT, short for "Generative Pre-trained Transformer," is a large language model developed by OpenAI. It can generate human-like text based on a prompt or context. It has been trained on a massive dataset of internet text, allowing it to understand and generate a wide range of languages.

B. Recently, ChatGPT has been the subject of much discussion and debate in the tech industry. Many experts have raised concerns about the potential negative effects of such advanced AI, including job displacement and the possibility of misuse by malicious actors. Some believe the technology has the potential to bring about positive change in various industries. The discussion surrounding ChatGPT highlights the need for responsible development and use of advanced AI technology.

The current discussion and debate surrounding ChatGPT centers on its capabilities and the potential consequences of its use. Some experts have raised concerns about the possibility of job displacement as the technology becomes more advanced and capable of performing tasks that were previously done by humans. There are concerns about the potential for misuse by malicious actors, such as in the spread of misinformation or in creating deepfake videos.

The ethical and societal implications of such advanced AI technology are also being debated. Some argue that ChatGPT could perpetuate biases and perpetuate discrimination if the data used to train the model is not diverse and inclusive. ChatGPT's ability to generate human-like text raises questions about the transparency and accountability of AI-generated content.

However, despite these concerns, many believe that ChatGPT has the potential to bring about positive change. For example, it could increase efficiency and productivity in various industries, such as in customer service or content creation. Advancements in language understanding and processing could lead to new opportunities for innovation and growth.

Overall, the current discussion and debate surrounding ChatGPT highlights the importance of responsible development and the use of advanced AI technology. As the capabilities of such technology continue to develop, it will be crucial to consider the potential consequences and take steps to mitigate any negative effects.

II. Concerns about ChatGPT

A. Job displacement is one of the main concerns surrounding the use of ChatGPT and other advanced AI technology. As the technology becomes more advanced and capable of performing tasks that were previously done by humans, there is a risk that it could lead to job loss and unemployment. This is particularly a concern in industries such as customer service, content creation, and data analysis, where ChatGPT could automate many tasks that are currently done by humans.

B. Another concern is the potential for misuse by malicious actors. ChatGPT's ability to generate human-like text raises concerns about the spread of misinformation and the creation of deepfake videos. The technology could impersonate individuals or organizations, potentially causing harm or damage to reputations.

C. There are also ethical and societal implications associated with ChatGPT. If the data used to train the model is not diverse and inclusive, the technology could perpetuate biases and discrimination. The transparency and accountability of AI-generated content is a concern, as it may be difficult to distinguish between human-generated and AI-generated text. The creation of a highly advanced AI model like ChatGPT raises questions about the impact on society and the future of humanity.

Overall, while ChatGPT has the potential to bring about positive change, it is important to consider and address the potential negative effects of such advanced AI technology. It is crucial to ensure that the development and use of ChatGPT is responsible and ethical to prevent any negative consequences for society and the workforce.

III. Potential benefits of ChatGPT

A. One of the main potential benefits of ChatGPT is increased efficiency and productivity in various industries. The technology can automate tasks that were previously done by humans, such as customer service, content creation, and data analysis. This could lead to cost savings and improved performance for organizations. ChatGPT's ability to generate human-like text could improve the quality of customer interactions and increase customer satisfaction.

B. Another potential benefit of ChatGPT is advancements in language understanding and processing. The technology's ability to understand and generate a wide range of languages could lead to new opportunities for innovation and growth in industries, such as natural language processing, machine translation, and language-based AI applications.

C. ChatGPT also has the potential to open up new opportunities for innovation and growth in various industries. For example, it could create more accurate and efficient chatbots and virtual assistants. The technology could be used in industries such as healthcare, finance, and education to improve decision-making, personalize communication, and enhance the customer experience.

Overall, while ChatGPT has the potential negative impact on certain aspects of society, it also presents many opportunities for positive change. These benefits can be realized by using the technology responsibly and ethically, with the goal of making it a positive force for society.

IV. Conclusion

A. In summary, ChatGPT is a large language model developed by OpenAI that can generate human-like text. It has been the subject of much discussion and debate in the tech industry, with concerns raised about its potential negative effects, such as job displacement and misuse by malicious actors, as well as ethical and societal implications.?

However, it also has the potential to bring about positive change, such as increased efficiency and productivity, advancements in language understanding and processing, and opportunities for innovation and growth in various industries.

B. The current discussion and debate surrounding ChatGPT highlights the importance of responsible development and the use of advanced AI technology. As the capabilities of such technology continue to develop, it will be crucial to consider the potential consequences and take steps to mitigate any negative effects.?

This includes ensuring that the data used to train the model is diverse and inclusive, being transparent about the use of AI-generated content, and developing guidelines and regulations to ensure the responsible use of the technology. By approaching the development and use of ChatGPT with responsibility and ethics in mind, we can harness its potential to bring about positive change and minimize any negative effects on society and the workforce.

What do you think of the article ChatGPT generated? What changes would you make?

Refined Instructions for ChatGPT

Write an outline for an article titled What’s the Fuss About ChatGPT, and Should People be Worried? Include information on pros and cons of ChatGPT, threat to privacy, how to protect yourself from ChatGPT, implications of using ChatGPT, misconceptions about ChatGPT, benefits of using ChatGPT, should ChatGPT be regulated, are chatbots becoming too humanlike, ways to protect your data from ChatGPT, potential ethical implications of using ChatGPT, best ways to leverage ChatGPT to improve your workflow.

Here’s the new outline. It’s a much better one than the first because the instructions were more thoughtful.

I. Introduction

• Overview of ChatGPT and why it's causing a stir in the tech world

II. Pros and cons of ChatGPT

• Explanation of the capabilities and limitations of the technology
• Discussion of how ChatGPT can be used in various industries

III. Threats to privacy

• Explanation of how ChatGPT might access and use personal information
• Discussion of the potential implications of this for privacy and security

IV. Protecting yourself from ChatGPT

• Tips on how to limit the amount of personal information shared with ChatGPT
• Discussion of tools and strategies for maintaining privacy when using the technology

V. Implications of using ChatGPT

• Discussion of the potential impact of ChatGPT on employment and job displacement
• Analysis of the impact on personal and professional relationships

VI. Misconceptions about ChatGPT

• Clearing up common misconceptions about the technology and its capabilities

VII. Benefits of using ChatGPT

• Discussion of the potential benefits of using ChatGPT in various industries, such as customer service and content creation

VIII. Should ChatGPT be regulated?

• Examination of the arguments for and against regulation of the technology
• Discussion of potential consequences of regulation or lack thereof

IX. Chatbots becoming too humanlike

• Analysis of the debate around the ethics of creating highly advanced chatbots
• Discussion of the potential implications of creating chatbots that are too human-like

X. Protecting your data from ChatGPT

• Tips on how to ensure the safety and security of your personal information when using ChatGPT

XI. Ethical Implications of using ChatGPT

• Discussion of the potential ethical implications of using ChatGPT, such as bias and privacy concerns

XII. Leveraging ChatGPT to improve workflow

• Tips on how to use ChatGPT to improve efficiency and productivity in various industries

XIII. Conclusion

• Summary of the main points discussed in the article, and a call to action for readers to consider the implications of using ChatGPT and to protect themselves and their information.

In computer science, you have a concept called Garbage In, Garbage Out. To make ChatGPT work for you, think about what you’re hoping to achieve. Use that as a guide to instruct the machine.

How to Use ChatGPT

There are many applications for ChatGPT. You can use it to write blog posts, sales copy, create a landing page and much more. Let’s talk about using it to create an outline for a book you’d like to write.

Here’s how to guide Chat GPT.?

Write a 12 chapter book outline for a book titled [XYZ]. The book should include information on the following [ABCDE].?

To get a good outline, provide detailed instructions. When you have your outline, review to see if you need to add sections to it. Next, ask ChatGPT to write the sections individually for you. You get a decent first draft, so you don’t face the blank screen. At this stage, you won’t have a book, you still need to write. Expand on the machine generated output.

To get a good book, don’t let the software do all the work. I know some people do that.

Until Next Week,

Avil Beckford, Founder, The Invisible Mentor

theinvisiblementor.com?

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