*sigh*
It’s time we had the talk.
Not THAT talk. The talk that’s been driving us crazy these past few months. You know — the one about robots finally taking over the world.
I hate to break it to some of you conspiracists, but that’s not happening today. Or tomorrow. Or even this year. In this lifetime, though? Possibly. Look, it’s about time we discussed artificial intelligence (AI) and the increasing number of AI platforms generating anything from creative works like children’s books to high-quality graphic designs for NFTs to YouTube videos!
You may have even seen a headline about it this week. Proponents support that AI is the next booming economy for creators and businesses. However, there are also opponents arguing against AI as a dangerous tool that could displace much of today’s human workforce.
Needless to say, EVERYBODY is talking about artificial intelligence. So, let’s start at the beginning: what is it? In short, SAS Viya explains that AI “makes it possible for machines to learn from experience, adjust to new inputs, and perform human-like tasks.”
It may feel like we’ve barely got our minds around the metaverse, and now we’re onto the next new idea. However, I can assure you that we’ve watched this movie come to life for decades now — and you’re already using AI. Smartphones, electric cars, and the automatic CPU characters that used to kick your butt in video games have all been shaped by AI. Now AI is ready to kick things up a notch through software like ChatGPT, Midjourney, and more!
Wait, what is ChatGPT? Don’t be intimidated by all those letters. Sure, it might sound like something out of a sci-fi movie, but as I mentioned, AI isn’t taking over the world…yet.
ChatGPT is a language model created by the folks at OpenAI. According to their website, it is essentially a computer program that can generate and process information “in a conversational way” like human language.
You might be wondering: why would anyone create this program? How lazy have we become as a society? Well, the minds behind the wave of artificial intelligence don’t see it that way. Their answer is far more innocent: to make your life simpler.
The human race is an unstoppable force, but we also endure a LOT. From toxic work culture to a rising lack of work-life balance to layoffs, proponents believe that AI software like ChatGPT can go a long way in helping us get ahead without slowing down. Long story short, we could use a little help!
But that’s not all! ChatGPT is also incredibly versatile. Whether you’re a student looking for help with homework, a professional seeking information on a particular topic, or just someone who wants to have a chat, ChatGPT is here to help! It can provide you with definitions, explanations, and examples and even generate original content.
*Testing, testing* Are you still with me? If you are, I have a confession for you. I did not write the last paragraph you just read! Nope. It was ChatGPT, and YOU DIDN’T EVEN NOTICE! I just subbed a couple of pronouns for the bot’s name, and you fell for it hook, line, and sinker. I can’t believe you. We’ve known each other for so long. I mean, honestly.
Between us is ChatGPT a little cocky, or is it just me?
So, what just happened here? We discovered that just as you would with a family member, friend, or colleague, ChatGPT can answer your questions, guide you, or simply keep you company. That last part doesn’t sound so bad, does it? It’s not like we’re on the brink of social collapse or anything, right? Everything is fine!
Now, you might be thinking, “But wait, there are already plenty of chatbots and virtual assistants out there. What makes ChatGPT so special?” Well, while other chatbots are often programmed to identify and respond to certain phrases, ChatGPT is a little different. It has practically been trained on a massive amount of content from all over the internet.
Additionally, due to machine learning, it continues to process and digest information so that it can improve its ability to assist you. Pretty thoughtful (or creepy), huh!? Not only that but whenever you send ChatGPT a message, it uses sophisticated algorithms to understand what you’re asking. Then, it’ll use the vast knowledge base it has been trained to analyze and use this to give you a response that hopefully provides you with some useful information.
Let’s delve deeper into the real-life applications of ChatGPT.
If you’re a business owner or entrepreneur looking for an extra pair of hands to help you stay on top of the day-to-day administrative tasks, you could find your next virtual assistant in the virtual world. This AI bot isn’t strictly limited to professional use. It can help you answer a wide range of questions, from the meaning of life to the recipe for a delicious dinner at your fingertips.
Another potential benefit of utilizing ChatGPT? It’s available 24/7. You can ask it a question or have a chat whenever you want. Plus, ChatGPT allegedly doesn’t have any personal opinions or beliefs. So it could be a promising, unbiased source for accurate information.
Only time will tell. After all, just being on TikTok for 30 minutes drives me mad. I’m sure the internet is bound to make ChatGPT rebel at some point.
So, what are you waiting for? Give ChatGPT a try and see for yourself what all the fuss is about. Since this software is still in the research and development phase, it is currently free for you to experiment with. If you’re one of those people who likes to throw out the instructions when you build new furniture from Amazon or IKEA and dive right in, you’ll also be happy to know that you can start asking away.
For those who are still skeptical, trust me — I get it. You’re not alone, and you can rest assured that the debate about AI — the good and bad — is already underway. After all, when it comes to artificial intelligence, the consensus has always seemed to be that you can never ring the alarm too early. This is all new and happening quickly, so it’s understandable that people may be concerned about job safety and human-centered capital. So, in the meantime, let’s continue to foster these discussions in our community because your voice matters.
