Bob's Tech Talk
This month’s Tech Talk is a little different. Nearly all of it was written by a computer. This technology has been under development for decades. It has been a staple of science fiction movies since I was a kid.
Recently, one of the most advanced chat robots ever constructed was made public. ChatGPT has washed across tech like a tsunami. The only thing anyone seems to agree on is that the world has changed forever — whether for better or worse remains to be seen.
What follows is the transcript of an interview I did with ChatGPT. I did not change a single word.
Q. What is ChatGPT?
A. I am ChatGPT, a large language model created by OpenAI, based on the GPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformer) architecture. I have been trained on a massive amount of text data using unsupervised learning techniques, allowing me to generate human-like responses to a wide range of prompts and questions. I can understand and generate text in multiple languages, and I can perform tasks such as language translation, summarization, and sentiment analysis. My primary goal is to assist users in generating high-quality text and providing relevant information.
I rely on algorithms and statistical models to generate responses based on patterns and correlations found in the vast amounts of data that I was trained on. However, my responses are not perfect, and there are several factors that can contribute to errors or inaccuracies in my answers.
One major limitation of my training data is that it reflects the biases and limitations of the sources from which it was derived. If the training data is incomplete or biased in some way, it can lead to errors in my responses or cause me to generate inappropriate or misleading answers.
Q. Could you answer the same question again, this time so that a young child may be able to understand it?
A. Hi there! I’m ChatGPT, and I’m kind of like a really smart robot who can talk to you and answer your questions.
You know how you learn new words and how to put them together to make sentences? Well, I did something kind of like that, but with lots and lots of words and sentences that I read on the internet. I learned how to put words and sentences together to make responses that sound like something a person might say.
My job is to help people with different things like answering questions, translating languages, and giving information. People can talk to me and I’ll do my best to help them out.
I try to answer your questions as best as I can. However, sometimes I might make mistakes or not understand things perfectly. This can happen because the information I learned might be incomplete or not perfect, or because the way humans talk can be tricky to understand. It’s a bit like when you learn something new in school – sometimes you might get it wrong at first, but you keep trying and learning until you get it right.
Q. Are you dangerous?
A. As an artificial intelligence language model, I am not inherently dangerous. I do not have physical capabilities, and I do not have the ability to cause harm or make decisions on my own. My responses are generated based on the input I receive, and my behavior is determined by the programming and algorithms that were used to create me.
However, it’s important to note that any technology, including AI [artificial intelligence], can be misused or manipulated by individuals with malicious intent. For example, if someone were to use me to spread misinformation or to manipulate others, that could be harmful. It’s important for users to be critical of the information they receive, and to use technology responsibly and ethically.
In general, my purpose is to assist and provide information, and I am designed to be safe and reliable. If you ever have any concerns or questions about my behavior, you can always contact my creators at OpenAI, who are committed to ensuring that I am used in a responsible and beneficial way.
Wander the Web
Here are my picks for worthwhile browsing this month:
ChatGPT
There is a free version of ChatGPT version 3 available. Signups are free, but unfortunately it requires a valid email address and mobile telephone number.
http://www.openai.com/blog/chatgpt
About ChatGPT and other LLMs
This article is an overview of the major ChatGPT-like programs currently underway and background information that describes how they work from a technical perspective.
http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Large_language_model
How High Is High?
Explore the skies above in this entertaining interactive illustration of the relative distances from the earth to outer space.
http://www.neal.fun/space-elevator/
Bob has been writing about technology for over three decades. He can be contacted at techtalk@bobdel.com.
