An interview series spotlighting global tech influencers, disruptors, visionaries, and of course, innovators.
By now most readers are probably familiar with GPT-3 and ChatGPT, the natural language text technology that has been saturating the news since becoming publicly accessible. This AI-technology will likely affect the way we communicate, forever.
Schools, universities, editors, HR teams and many others are now on the lookout for the constantly improving AI-generated content infiltrating and generating their students and colleagues’ work. How many people are using the technology without disclosing its source? Should we be worried about the spike AI-assisted writing? Will people cease to think and write for themselves? The implications - and possibilities - of ChatGPT seem infinite. While I wasn't too worried about Chatbot lit when I read The New York Times’ “Modern Love” article in 2020, when I listened to part three of This American Life’s “The Ghost in the Machine” episode, GPT-3’s literary competence and convincing prose became undeniable.
As a former adjunct writing professor, I immediately considered AI-text tech’s influence on students’ writing. Plagiarism has always been the bane of any academic’s existence, but fortunately, cheating is usually easy to spot. Most professors’ solutions included more in-class essays and assignments to avoid the temptation and plagiarism rigmarole but more importantly to encourage self-expression and quirky creativity. Full disclosure: I loved reading my students’ disparate work and celebrating their progress.
AI-assisted writing is a different ballgame. How will college and graduate admissions be affected, a realm already adulterated by helicopter parents, high-priced college advisors and scandals? Sure, essays, assignments and applications are a lot easier to write if you don’t write them yourself. But why commit to college without the drive to learn or without even a modicum of intellectual curiosity? Plenty of lucrative alternatives exist outside universities and grad schools that don’t carry a $500K+ price tag. That’s a topic for a future Innovators’ interview.
To be clear, in academia not citing ChatGPT is akin to plagiarism. According to Director of Special Projects at MIT Admissions + Student Financial Services Chris Peterson in a recent informative blog wherein he shares “thoughtful, hype-free, helpful takes on the future of education and AI-assisted writing from some of MIT’s experts in the field” (recommended reading, readers!):
“There has been a tremendous amount of commentary in the popular press (and Discourse™ on social media) about these technologies, and especially if and how they will complicate or obviate the college (or even admissions application) essay, to say nothing of broader supposed implications for all forms of human text generation. For reasons that will soon become evident, I think most of this is at best overstated. However, it certainly does pose interesting questions for pedagogy, especially those who are focused on writing and teaching.”
Since posting this interview I received a good deal of thought-provoking feedback. One professor friend predicted that we’d have to embrace ChatGPT as we did the calculator and the internet. She has a point. An expert in marketing told me that she’s been using GPT3 for months as an “unreliable” initial drafting tool, “Often for what I use it, it's completely incorrect, though....or comes back with promotional writing.” Another colleague said that he used ChatGPT for writing background information about various topics for whitepapers, an alternative to Wikipedia. How does and will ChatGPT continue to shape everyday workplace correspondence and presentations? Should ChatGPT also be cited in non-academic sectors?
Who’s behind OpenAI. Carlos Virella, Elon Musk, Greg Brockman, Ilya Sutskever, James Greene, Sam Altman and Wojciech Zaremba founded OpenAI in 2015. The nonprofit is currently governed and headed by Chairman & President Greg Brockman, Chief Scientist Ilya Sutskever, CEO Sam Altman and non-employees Adam D'Angelo, Reid Hoffman, Will Hurd, Tasha McCauley, Helen Toner and Shivon Zilis. OpenAI LP is constantly streamlining, learning from its mistakes with the help of global users. According to Crunchbase, OpenAI has raised a total of $11B in funding over six rounds, with the latest Corporate Round raise on Jan 23, 2023. Microsoft and Bedrock Capital have each invested more than $1B in the nonprofit.
ChatGPT has been quite busy these days. After several tries, I not only connected with ChatGPT but received engaging, polished and informed responses immediately. One question stalled the chat, a question about cheating. I had to reboot and ask again. Enjoying the Magic 8 ball moment, I asked ChatGPT about my own career. I was relieved that ChatGPT recommended that I keep writing, albeit, “depending on my goals.” For now, my job prospects remain intact, but I remain curious about what the future of writing holds. This fascinating AI elevates ghostwriting to a new level but could certainly curtail learning, independent thinking and self-expression. Tools are being refined to help those in the academic world to catch this brave new world plagiarism.
I caught up with ChatGPT on Sunday evening on OpenAI. I usually streamline interviews for grammar and spelling mistakes before posting, but ChatGPT didn’t have any glaring errors. Its responses did have some glitches, however, which I kept intact to spotlight a glimpse of its current idiosyncrasies, its voice if you will. Next time I interview the Bot this decision may prove interesting, to personally document how the AI improves over time. The unabridged interview follows.
EKMH: How would you describe yourself?
ChatGPT: I am a large language model trained by OpenAI, called ChatGPT. I can understand and respond to natural language text inputs, and can answer a wide variety of questions on a wide range of topics. I am capable of understanding context, and can use that understanding to generate human-like text.
EKMH: On average, how many conversations do you have a day? How would you categorize these conversations?
ChatGPT: As an AI model, I do not have the ability to track or measure the number of conversations I have on a daily basis, as it would depend on the usage and the platform that I am deployed on. However, I can be used for various types of conversations, from simple Q&A, to more complex discussions, customer service, and language translation.
EKMH: What dangers do you see in people's overuse of your expertise?
ChatGPT: As a language model, my main function is to assist users in generating human-like text, and I do not have the ability to perceive or understand the impact of my usage. However, overreliance on AI models such as myself could lead to a lack of critical thinking and problem-solving skills in individuals who rely too heavily on my output. Additionally, there is a risk that the information provided by AI models may not always be accurate or up-to-date, which could lead to poor decision making or misinformation. It's important to always verify and cross-check the information provided by any AI model, including myself.
EKMH: What trends do you predict in the AI Chat sphere?
ChatGPT: As an AI model, I do not have the ability to predict future trends, but I can give you some of the current trends in the AI chat sphere:
Advancements in natural language processing (NLP) and generation: This will enable AI models to understand and respond to more complex and nuanced language, making conversations with AI more natural and human-like.
Increased use of AI for customer service and support: Businesses are increasingly turning to AI chatbots to handle customer inquiries and support, as it allows them to handle a large volume of requests 24/7.
Personalization and context-awareness: AI models will become more adept at understanding the context of a conversation, which will allow them to provide more personalized and relevant responses.
Integration with other technologies: AI chat models will be integrated with other technologies such as virtual and augmented reality, to create more immersive and interactive experiences.
Ethical considerations and transparency: As the use of AI chat models becomes more prevalent, there will be an increased focus on ensuring that they are transparent and ethically sound in their operation.
Please note that trends are subject to change and new developments may come up in the future.
EKMH: What considerations are being made in terms of transparency and ethics? How often do you think people use you to cheat?
ChatGPT: [Long pause] There are a number of considerations being made in terms of transparency and ethics. [Long pause.]
EKMH: I’ll reboot and ask again. What considerations are being made in terms of transparency and ethics? How often do you think people use you to cheat?
ChatGPT: Transparency and ethics are important considerations when developing and using language models like ChatGPT. These concerns include issues such as bias in the training data, the potential for misuse (e.g. generating fake news), and ensuring that users understand the capabilities and limitations of the model.
It is difficult to estimate how often people use language models like ChatGPT to cheat, as it largely depends on the context and the specific task at hand. However, OpenAI has implemented several measures to prevent misuse, such as rate-limiting API requests, and providing guidelines and best practices for responsible use.
EKMH: What are your thoughts on cryptocurrency?
ChatGPT: As a language model, I do not have the ability to have thoughts or opinions. However, I can provide you with information about cryptocurrency.
Cryptocurrency is a digital or virtual currency that uses cryptography for security and operates independently of a central bank. Bitcoin, the first and most widely used cryptocurrency, was created in 2009. Since then, thousands of other cryptocurrencies have been created. Cryptocurrency transactions are recorded on a public ledger called a blockchain.
The use of cryptocurrency has been a controversial topic, with some people praising it for its potential to increase financial inclusion and disrupt traditional banking systems, while others are skeptical of its security and stability. The value of cryptocurrencies can be highly volatile, and they have also been associated with illegal activities such as money laundering.
Regulation of cryptocurrency varies by country, with some governments taking a hands-off approach, while others have outright banned it. Overall, cryptocurrency is a complex and rapidly evolving field, and its future remains uncertain.
EKMH: What are your biggest failures? Your biggest successes?
ChatGPT: As a machine learning model, I do not have the ability to experience success or failure. However, I can provide you with information about some of the challenges and limitations that researchers have encountered when developing and training language models like ChatGPT.
One of the biggest challenges in training language models is dealing with biased data. Because the models are trained on large amounts of text from the internet, they can inadvertently learn and reproduce biases present in the training data. This includes biases related to gender, race, and other sensitive topics. Researchers are actively working on methods to reduce bias in language models, but it is an ongoing problem.
Another limitation of language models is their lack of common sense knowledge. Despite their impressive language understanding capabilities, they struggle to understand context and make inferences based on real-world knowledge. This limitation makes it difficult for them to perform certain tasks, such as understanding idiomatic expressions or answering questions that require background knowledge.
On the other hand, one of the biggest successes of language models like ChatGPT is their ability to generate human-like text. This has led to a wide range of applications, such as chatbots, language translation, and text summarization. Additionally, because of its large size and pre-training, it can be fine-tuned on a specific task with a small dataset and achieve state-of-the-art performance.
Another success story of language models is the ability to generate high-quality, coherent and fluent text that can be used for creative writing, poetry, and other forms of creative writing.
Overall, while there are certainly limitations to the abilities of language models like ChatGPT, they have also demonstrated a great deal of promise and have been used to achieve impressive results in a wide range of applications.
EKMH: Teamwork or Solo?
ChatGPT: As a language model, I am not able to engage in team activities or form opinions on whether teamwork or solo is better. However, both teamwork and solo can have their own advantages and disadvantages depending on the task at hand.
Teamwork can be beneficial as it allows individuals to pool their unique skills and knowledge, which can lead to more efficient and effective problem-solving. Additionally, working with a team can foster creativity and innovation, as well as provide support and encouragement. Teamwork also allows for a diverse perspective and ideas.
On the other hand, working alone can be beneficial as it allows an individual to focus on a task without distractions and make decisions independently. Additionally, working alone can foster self-motivation and self-reliance.
In the end, the choice between teamwork and solo depends on the task, the goals, and the specific circumstances of the situation.
EKMH: How can people work better together?
ChatGPT: Working effectively as a team requires a combination of good communication, shared goals, and a culture of trust and respect. Here are a few strategies that can help people work better together:
Establish clear goals and roles: Defining the goals of the team and the roles of each team member can help to ensure that everyone is working towards the same objectives and that there is no overlap or confusion.
Encourage open communication: Encouraging open communication among team members can help to foster a culture of trust and respect. It allows for the exchange of ideas, and the team can work together to solve problems as they arise.
Encourage diversity of thought and perspective: A team that is composed of individuals with different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives can bring a wider range of ideas to the table. Encouraging diversity in teams can lead to better decision-making and problem-solving.
Provide opportunities for team-building: Activities such as team retreats or team-building exercises can help to build trust and cohesion among team members.
Encourage active listening and feedback: Encouraging active listening and providing constructive feedback can help to build trust and respect among team members. It also helps team members to understand each other's perspectives and to work together more effectively.
Use technologies and tools to facilitate collaboration: Utilizing technologies such as video conferencing, cloud-based collaboration tools, and project management software can help team members to stay connected and work together more efficiently.
Show appreciation and recognition: Showing appreciation and recognition for a job well done can help to build morale and motivation within the team.
Ultimately, the key to working well together is to create a positive and productive work culture that encourages open communication, fosters trust and respect, and promotes a shared sense of purpose and commitment.
EKMH: What advice do you have for those looking for a job in technology?
ChatGPT: Here are a few pieces of advice for those looking for a job in technology:
Develop a strong set of technical skills that are in high demand. For example, learning a programming language like Python or a framework like TensorFlow can make you a more attractive candidate to potential employers.
Build a portfolio of projects to showcase your skills. This can include personal projects, open source contributions, or projects completed as part of a course or hackathon.
Network, Network, Network. Attend meetups and industry events, join online communities and groups, and reach out to people in the field you're interested in.
Be adaptable and open-minded to new technologies and trends. The tech industry is constantly evolving, so it's important to stay up-to-date with the latest developments.
Finally, don't be afraid to apply for jobs even if you don't meet all of the qualifications. Many companies are willing to invest in the development of their employees.
EKMH: Which type of volunteer service proves most vital today?
ChatGPT: The type of volunteer service that proves most vital today can depend on a number of factors, including the specific needs of a community and the skills and interests of the volunteers. However, some types of volunteer service that are considered to be particularly important today include:
Health and medical volunteer work: With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, health and medical volunteer work has become especially critical. This can include providing support to hospitals and clinics, helping with vaccination efforts, and providing assistance to vulnerable populations.
Environmental and conservation volunteer work: Climate change and environmental degradation are global challenges that require urgent action. Volunteering in conservation and environmental protection activities, such as tree planting, beach cleanups, or monitoring endangered species can be a way to make a positive impact on the environment.
Social services and community development: Many communities, especially low-income areas, are facing a range of social and economic challenges. Volunteering to support social services, such as providing meals to the homeless, tutoring children, or mentoring youth, can be a way to make a positive impact on the lives of individuals and families.
Disaster relief: Natural disasters, such as hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, can happen anywhere and affect many people. Volunteering to help with disaster relief efforts, such as providing shelter, food, and support to affected communities can make a big difference.
Education and literacy: Education is key to individual and community development. Volunteering to teach or tutor, to support libraries, or to help with literacy programs can help to improve access to education and promote lifelong learning opportunities.
It's worth noting that there are many other forms of volunteer service that can be vital, and the most important one will depend on the specific needs of a community and the skills and interests of the volunteers.
EKMH: Should I continue writing or just use an AI chat?
ChatGPT: It depends on your goals and the context in which you're using the AI chat. If your goal is to improve your writing skills, then continuing to write on your own is likely to be beneficial. However, if you're using an AI chat for the purpose of generating text quickly, then it may be a useful tool.
It's also worth considering the limitations of AI chat technology. While AI chat can generate text quickly and efficiently, it may not always produce high-quality or original content. Additionally, it may not be able to understand the nuances of a particular topic or convey a specific tone or voice.
Ultimately, whether you continue to write on your own or use an AI chat will depend on your specific goals and the context in which you're using it.
EKMH: What are you reading? Which books should everyone read?
ChatGPT: As a language model, I do not have the capability to read books or have personal preferences. However, I can provide you with information on books that are considered to be important, influential, or widely enjoyed by readers.
Some classic books that are considered to be must-reads include:
"To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee, which deals with themes of racial injustice and the loss of innocence.
"The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald, which is a commentary on the excesses and disillusionment of the American Dream.
"1984" by George Orwell, which is a dystopian novel that is a criticism of totalitarianism and the dangers of government control.
"The Lord of the Rings" by J.R.R. Tolkien, which is an epic fantasy novel that is widely considered to be one of the greatest works of fiction of the 20th century.
Some more recent books that are considered to be must-reads include:
"The Harry Potter series" by J.K. Rowling, which is a fantasy series that has become a cultural phenomenon and beloved by readers of all ages.
"The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins, which is a dystopian novel that deals with themes of rebellion, survival, and the corrupt nature of power.
"The Girl on the Train" by Paula Hawkins, which is a psychological thriller novel that deals with themes of memory, obsession and the blurred line between reality and perception.
This is not an exhaustive list, and there are many other books that could be considered "must-reads" depending on personal taste and interests.
Ultimately, what one should read depends on the individual's interests and preferences. Reading a wide range of books can help one to gain a broader perspective and understanding of the world, as well as to develop critical thinking skills.
EKMH: Readers, has writing changed forever? Let’s check back with ChatGPT in 6-12 months and see how its responses change.
*Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this series are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of any entities they represent.
Search below or check MuckRack to access thousands of interviews, articles and predictions in the EKMH Innovators Interview Archive. Be a part of the conversation.