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The Rise of ChatGPT: A Revolution in AI Interaction
What is ChatGPT and why is everyone talking about it? The use of Artificial Intelligence technology has evolved more quickly than anticipated, which has forced leading schools and businesses to update policies in anticipation of how AI will affect work activities and the integrity of work products.
OpenAI’s latest program, ChatGPT, uses artificial intelligence (AI) to interact conversationally with users. According to Time Magazine, the platform quickly rose to take the rank as the fastest-growing application of all time — reaching over 100 million active users by its second month.
Not only can the app create coherent, relevant, human-like conversational dialogue, but it also responds to specific requests or inputs from users. It can answer questions, write essays, research, and give suggestions on a variety of topics.
For example, you could ask “What was the Bay Area housing market like from 2010 to 2015?” AI can process the research and issue a response in just a few seconds.
Creative interactions with AI — as well as instances of entertaining or unexpected responses — have generated a curiosity in the capabilities of this technology. You can tell ChatGPT to write a poem about a runaway sandwich, or even ask it to write an essay exclusively in riddles and rhymes. Stories about unique, amusing, or odd interactions with ChatGPT have piqued a general interest in AI and machine learning.
The ChatGPT platform is currently free for public use and is changing the way some students, businesspeople, and companies operate.
What can ChatGPT do?
Although users and developers are still exploring the capabilities and extent of ChatGPT, here are 7 ways it can be used.
1. Provide general research and information.
ChatGPT can provide summaries of general research using online data prior to September 2021. If you’re curious about a specific topic, celebrity, or tradition, ChatGPT will summarize it in a few seconds.
Despite the convenience of the application, it’s always best to double check the sources and accuracy of any information from the AI before accepting those statements as fact.
- “When is Martin Luther King Day?”
- “Why is Pluto not a planet?”
2. Draft essays, emails, and captions.
AI programs have the ability to compose different forms of writing, including a new LinkedIn bio or a mission statement.
- “Write an email to politely invite a client to a consultation meeting.”
- “Write a caption for a photo of a man crossing the street.”
3. Determine Excel formulas to use for different situations.
Sometimes we just can’t remember what Excel functions exist, and that’s okay! When you forget the difference between “SUMPRODUCT” and “SUM,” ChatGPT can recap their uses for you.
- “How can I round numbers up or down in Excel?”
- “What does Excel’s ADDRESS function do?”
4. Write code or correct coding errors.
Get a quick lesson in coding elements in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. The platform can also identify errors in users’ codes, but it will require users to input and submit their code into the platform’s dialogue box.
- “How do I fix my website code?”
5. Give spelling and grammar suggestions.
Users can avoid typos and spelling errors by running their statements through the query. This will also require users to input their statements or work to the AI.
- “Can you correct spelling and grammar in this essay?”
6. Compile and summarize data.
From numerical values to statistics, AI can analyze and draw conclusions from specific data sets.
- “Can you summarize this set of numbers?”
7. Give recommendations for various topics.
ChatGPT can provide suggestions for nearly any topic you can think of. If you reach a creative block, ChatGPT might be able to generate a few suggestions to help.
- “ChatGPT, how do I improve my people skills?”
- “How do I improve my leadership skills?”
- “What’s a good idea for an advertisement for my flower shop?”
- “When should I post on social media for the best engagement?”
…and these are just a few of the possibilities.
Although the AI program is a convenient tool to use, it’s best to personally review its responses and add your own touch to the final product before sharing it with the world. This way, you can keep your responses accurate and unique for your personal or business needs. You must check the accuracy of AI-generated content. A lawyer who used AI to write a brief later found out that cases cited in the AI brief did not exist.
Is AI the next big thing? Yes, and it’s already having an impact. Many universities and businesses have already updated their policies because of the growing usage of ChatGPT and other AI or machine learning programs. It may feel easy to ask AI to research and write for you, but the work product is far from infallible. Human beings should assume responsibility for their work. Make sure it is truthful, personal, and appropriate. Do not rely solely on machine thinking.
References:
Chow, Andrew R. “Why CHATGPT Is the Fastest Growing Web Platform Ever.” Time, 8 Feb. 2023, time.com/6253615/chatgpt-fastest-growing/.