Term of the Moment
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Definition: ChatGPT
(CHAT Generative Pretrained Transformer) An AI-powered chatbot from the OpenAI research company that simulates a human speaking English and more than 50 other languages. An example of "generative AI," ChatGPT will create a seemingly human response when asked open-ended questions about any topic. It is also used for writing program code, composing music, answering test questions and generating short essays and articles. See OpenAI and generative AI.
The World of Knowledge
Known as a "large language model" (LLM), ChatGPT gained its knowledge base from the text in hundreds of millions of websites, articles, journals and books, creating a gigantic hierarchy of word and phrase patterns. The results are also adjusted by human engineers to make them more accurate. ChatGPT generates absolutely amazing results, and it is also accused of delivering "coherent nonsense."
ChatGPT Plus
ChatGPT Plus is a paid version of ChatGPT. For a monthly fee, ChatGPT Plus gives users fast access during peak usage to ChatGPT's GPT-3.5 and GPT-4 language models. Subscribers are also given first access to new features.
Academia Is Alarmed
Because of ChatGPT's generation of seemingly unique prose, university professors are rethinking test methods. For example, oral answers may be the only way to ensure students are not using it.
ChatGPT Does All This
In April 2023, The New York Times listed several ways people are using ChatGPT. Following are some of them:
Coherent Nonsense
The following is the first of five paragraphs generated by ChatGPT given the input "create an essay about a happy computer." Obviously, the word "happy" was equated with a trait computers can have. Is the following what is meant by "coherent nonsense?"
A Few Months Later
When the same question was asked several months later, ChatGPT added the title "The Joyful Existence of a Happy Computer" and nine paragraphs of text, the first of which follows below. Obviously, ChatGPT is constantly changing, but in both examples, ChatGPT gives the computer human attributes.
A Lot of Controversy
The World of Knowledge
Known as a "large language model" (LLM), ChatGPT gained its knowledge base from the text in hundreds of millions of websites, articles, journals and books, creating a gigantic hierarchy of word and phrase patterns. The results are also adjusted by human engineers to make them more accurate. ChatGPT generates absolutely amazing results, and it is also accused of delivering "coherent nonsense."
ChatGPT Plus
ChatGPT Plus is a paid version of ChatGPT. For a monthly fee, ChatGPT Plus gives users fast access during peak usage to ChatGPT's GPT-3.5 and GPT-4 language models. Subscribers are also given first access to new features.
Academia Is Alarmed
Because of ChatGPT's generation of seemingly unique prose, university professors are rethinking test methods. For example, oral answers may be the only way to ensure students are not using it.
ChatGPT Does All This
In April 2023, The New York Times listed several ways people are using ChatGPT. Following are some of them:
plan gardens, workouts and meals write a wedding speech play devil's advocate organize thesis research skim dozens of articles to find info cope with ADHD and dyslexia select from a huge number of pictures transcribe doctor's visit into clinical notes appeal an insurance denial write Excel formulas get feedback on a newly written novel get help for homework learn Chinese and help with learning English create an app and fix bugs play games and build new ones identify diseases in plants make a Spotify playlist create alliterations, rhymes and synonyms
Coherent Nonsense
The following is the first of five paragraphs generated by ChatGPT given the input "create an essay about a happy computer." Obviously, the word "happy" was equated with a trait computers can have. Is the following what is meant by "coherent nonsense?"
Computers are often thought of as being emotionless machines, lacking the capacity to feel happiness or any other emotions. However, in a metaphorical sense, a computer can indeed be considered "happy". The term "happy computer" refers to a computer that is functioning properly, efficiently, and effectively, meeting the needs and expectations of its user.
A Few Months Later
When the same question was asked several months later, ChatGPT added the title "The Joyful Existence of a Happy Computer" and nine paragraphs of text, the first of which follows below. Obviously, ChatGPT is constantly changing, but in both examples, ChatGPT gives the computer human attributes.
In the vast realm of technology, where wires intertwine and circuits hum with life, there exists a peculiar entity often overlooked amidst the whirlwind of ones and zeros--the happy computer. While the notion of machines experiencing emotions may seem far-fetched, delve deeper into the intricacies of their functioning, and you might uncover a world where joy resonates within the silicon heart of a computer.
North Korea, China, Russia, Italy and other countries have banned ChatGPT, which has stirred up the world. In time, the panic may be long forgotten. See GPT and Luddite. (Image courtesy of ZDNET.)
To explore the variety of topics in this reference, see What's in this encyclopedia.