Artificial intelligence
Artificial Intelligence (Ai or AI) has been in the news lately with the November 2022 launch of a super-powerful program called ChatGPT (Chat Generative Pre-Trained Transformer) – an artificial intelligence chatbot developed by OpenAI and Microsoft.
OpenAI is also responsible for creating DALL-E 2, a popular Ai art generator, and Whisper, an automatic speech recognition system. OpenAI also has practical workplace Ai systems that allow companies to integrate Ai capabilities into their products and services to improve efficiency and automate their processes.
About ChatGPT
ChatGPT allows you to have human-like conversations and much more with the chatbot. The language model can answer questions and assist you with tasks, such as composing emails, essays, and code.
According to its website: “ChatGPT interacts in a conversational way. The dialogue format makes it possible for ChatGPT to answer follow-up questions, admit its mistakes, challenge incorrect premises, and reject inappropriate requests”.
“ChatGPT is scary good. We are not far from dangerously strong Ai,” (Elon Musk, one of the founders of OpenAI).
Sam Altman, OpenAI’s chief, said on Twitter that ChatGPT had more than one million users in the first five days after it launched.
By January 2023, ChatGPT had become the fastest-growing consumer software application in history, gaining over 100 million users.
There has already been controversy. Here are some recent headlines:
“ChatGPT ban in Australia’s public schools likely to be overturned” (The Guardian)
“Scientists used ChatGPT to generate an entire paper from scratch” (Nature)
“Two authors are suing OpenAI for training ChatGPT with their books. Could they win?” (The Conversation)
“Are Australian Research Council reports being written by ChatGPT?” (The Guardian)
“What is ChatGPT and why are schools blocking it? Ask the new artificial intelligence tool ChatGPT to write an essay about the cause of the American Civil War and you can watch it churn out a persuasive term paper in a matter of seconds.” (AP News.com)
An interview with ChatGPT about a subject close to its heart
I thought the best way to find out about Ai would be to get it straight from the horse’s mouth. [i]
So, I interviewed ChatGPT which responded with lightning-fast answers demonstrating astounding intelligence and speed-of-response.
I did learn that ChatGPT’s knowledge is based on information available up until September 2021 – it does not have access to real-time data. However, I am sure if the future objective is to plug-in data from various available sources in real-time then we will eventually have a very scary, powerful tool capable of predicting events.
For the purpose of this article, I have edited ChatGPT’s responses.
My first question is: What is Artificial Intelligence?
[ChatGPT] Artificial Intelligence (AI) refers to the simulation of human intelligence in machines that are programmed to think and learn like humans. It involves the development of computer systems capable of performing tasks that would typically require human intelligence, such as perception, reasoning, learning, problem-solving, and decision-making.
Robotics combines AI with mechanical engineering to create intelligent machines or robots that can perform physical tasks. These robots can perceive their environment, make decisions, and interact with objects and humans.
The potential applications of AI are vast and span various industries and sectors. Some notable examples include:
Healthcare: AI can assist in diagnosing diseases, analyzing medical images, and suggesting treatment plans.
Finance: AI algorithms can be used for fraud detection, portfolio management, and algorithmic trading.
Autonomous vehicles: AI enables self-driving cars to perceive their surroundings, make decisions, and navigate safely.
Customer service: Chatbots and virtual assistants powered by AI can provide personalized assistance and respond to customer inquiries.
Manufacturing: AI can optimize production processes, predict maintenance needs, and improve quality control.
Education: AI can enhance personalized learning experiences, provide intelligent tutoring, and support adaptive assessments.
Cybersecurity: AI can help detect and respond to security threats, identify anomalies, and protect systems from attacks.
While AI offers numerous benefits, there are also concerns regarding ethics, privacy, and potential job displacement. Ensuring responsible and ethical development and use of AI systems is crucial for addressing these challenges and maximizing the benefits of this transformative technology.
What is a common example of Ai in the world today?
[ChatGPT] A common example of simple AI in the world today is virtual assistants like Apple’s Siri, Amazon’s Alexa, or Google Assistant. These virtual assistants use AI algorithms to understand and respond to user commands or queries. While they may not possess advanced reasoning capabilities, they can perform tasks such as answering questions, setting reminders, providing weather updates, playing music, and controlling smart home devices.
Is it morally acceptable to ask a humanoid robot to do something that a human would not do?
[ChatGPT] (This) raises complex ethical considerations that do not have a straightforward answer. The morality of such a request depends on various factors, including the nature of the task, the capabilities and limitations of the robot, and the context in which it operates.
Ethical guidelines and principles should be applied to the design and use of AI systems to ensure they align with societal values and respect human rights. These guidelines can help determine the boundaries of acceptable requests and actions for humanoid robots.
In determining the acceptability of a request for a humanoid robot, considerations should include:
Ethical limits: There should be clear boundaries on the types of tasks that robots can be asked to perform, taking into account principles such as avoiding harm, respecting human dignity, and promoting fairness.
Human welfare: If a request involves potential harm or exploitation of humans, it would generally be considered morally unacceptable, regardless of whether a human or robot is involved.
Autonomy and consent: If the robot has advanced autonomy and decision-making capabilities, considerations of informed consent and respect for the robot’s autonomy should be taken into account.
Societal norms and values: Ethical considerations should also encompass societal norms and values, as well as cultural and legal frameworks, which can help determine the acceptability of certain requests.
Ultimately, the moral acceptability of asking a humanoid robot to perform tasks that humans would not do is a subject of ongoing debate and should be evaluated within the broader context of ethical guidelines, societal norms, and the potential consequences for humans and the robot itself.
Should we fear Ai?
[ChatGPT] It is important to approach AI with a balanced perspective. While there are valid concerns, AI also has tremendous potential to enhance various aspects of human life, including healthcare, education, transportation, and scientific research. To mitigate risks and maximize the benefits of AI, it is crucial to have robust governance frameworks, ethical guidelines, and ongoing research and dialogue between policymakers, researchers, and the public.
Ultimately, whether to fear AI or not is a personal perspective, but fostering understanding, responsible development, and informed decision-making are key to navigating the impact of AI on society.
Which team do you think will win the NRL Grand Final in 2023?
[ChatGPT] As an AI, my responses are based on information available up until September 2021, and I do not have access to real-time data. Therefore, I cannot provide an accurate assessment of which team is most likely to win the NRL grand final in 2023.
Team performance can change significantly over time due to factors such as player transfers, injuries, coaching changes, and overall team dynamics. It’s best to refer to up-to-date sports news, analysis, and expert opinions closer to the 2023 NRL season to get a more accurate idea of which teams are performing well and have a higher chance of success.
OK. So which team won the NRL Grand Final in 2020?
[ChatGPT] The Melbourne Storm won the NRL Grand Final in 2020. They defeated the Penrith Panthers with a score of 26-20 to claim the premiership. The game took place on October 25, 2020, at ANZ Stadium in Sydney, Australia. It was the Storm’s fourth NRL premiership win, having previously won in 1999, 2012, and 2017.
Thanks. Before we go, can you give me a Shakespearean sonnet?
In no time ChatGPT delivered a Shakespearean sonnet in perfect form [ii]
Can you give me a sonnet for Papua New Guinea?
Can you do one in tok pisin?
A final word of warning
ChatGPT is still evolving and in its research and “learning” phase. You can use it for free – just sign up and start using it.
There is a disclaimer at the foot of the website:
Free Research Preview. ChatGPT may produce inaccurate information about people, places, or facts.
As Wikipedia states:
While its content spans various domains of knowledge, ChatGPT has displayed a tendency to confidently provide inaccurate information.
LOL.
In other words, user beware! ChatGPT is also good at confidently feeding you bullshit.
[i] [ChatGPT] The phrase “straight from the horse’s mouth” is an idiomatic expression that means information or knowledge obtained directly from a reliable or authoritative source. It implies that the information is firsthand, accurate, and trustworthy.
The origin of the phrase can be traced back to the world of horse racing, where bettors would try to gain an advantage by obtaining information directly from the most reliable source—the horse itself. The belief was that the most accurate and reliable information about a horse’s condition, performance, or potential would come from someone close to the horse, such as its owner, trainer, or jockey.
Over time, the phrase “straight from the horse’s mouth” has been adopted in everyday language to indicate information that is reliable, firsthand, and likely to be true. It suggests that the information is directly sourced from someone who is intimately involved or knowledgeable about a particular topic or situation.
[ii] The variation of the sonnet form that Shakespeare used—comprised of three quatrains and a concluding couplet, rhyming abab cdcd efef gg—is called the Shakespearean sonnet form, although others had used it before him. (poetryfoundation.org). The concluding couplet (two lines) summarises or captures the main thrust of the sonnet.
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