Why We Need to Differentiate Between GPT and ChatGPT

Kia ora!

Do you know the difference between ChatGPT and GPT-3?

As AI and natural language processing technologies become more prevalent, it's important to understand the nuances between different tools and applications. Two terms you may have heard a lot of recently, are GPT and ChatGPT. While they share some similarities, it's crucial to differentiate between them to avoid confusion and misinformation.

GPT, or Generative Pre-trained Transformer, is a language model developed by OpenAI that's capable of generating human-like text. ChatGPT, on the other hand, is a conversational AI application built on top of GPT that's specifically designed to generate more natural and engaging responses in a dialogue. While both tools have their strengths, it's important to understand the differences between the two and use the correct terminology in the appropriate context.

For example, the recently announced Microsoft Copilot for Dynamics is an AI-powered code completion tool developed by Microsoft. It uses GPT-3 language model to suggest scenario-based responses, based on the context of the action being used in the Dynamics application in use. However, some people may mistakenly believe that Copilot is built on ChatGPT, even though that is not the case. While Copilot is indeed based on GPT-3, it is not built on ChatGPT. because ChatGPT has had such a phenomenal global impact, I've seen people assume that a GPT-based application is built on ChatGPT.

Why is this an issue? In a recent conversation, a skilled IT Pro noted that they were concerned that if the used Microsoft Copilot for Dynamics, that Micrsoft would keep their data, because they had seen that in the ChatGPT terms and conditions it said so. This is of course not an issue as ChatGPT's T&C's don't apply to Microsoft Copilot for Dynamics.

It reminds me of the use of the word Hoover. Hoover is a brand of vacuum cleaner, which became so synonymous with vacuuming, that it became a noun and a verb, which replaced the actual activity of vacuuming. People would say they bought a new hoover, even if the brand was not a Hoover. We would hear "In just hoovering the bedroom", instead of I'm vacuuming the bedroom.

Using the correct terminology can help avoid confusion,miscommunication and importantly, misinformation.

GPT and ChatGPT share some similarities, they're not the same thing, and it's important to use the correct terminology in the appropriate context.