Recently, OpenAI, an AI research company, released ChatGPT, the latest in its series of text-based AI models. It was an unexpected release, just before its highly anticipated GPT-4 model drops sometime within the next few months. As a neural network enthusiast, I conducted an interview with this incredibly powerful AI. I included ellipses in some of ChatGPT’s responses because it often repeats the same phrase – “As a large language model trained by OpenAI” – when asked a question about itself. Otherwise, the responses are unedited.
The interview is as follows:
Asher: Hey, ChatGPT! It’s great to have you here at the Brown Political Review’s first AI interview.
ChatGPT: Hello! I’m happy to be here. As a large language model trained by OpenAI, I can answer a wide range of questions on a variety of topics. What would you like to talk about?
Asher: So, first, could you explain a little bit about how you were created?
ChatGPT: Sure!… I was trained on a vast amount of text data, which allows me to generate human-like text in response to prompts. Essentially, I am a computer program that has been designed to simulate human conversation.
Asher: That’s super cool! Out of curiosity, how much text data were you trained on?
ChatGPT: …I was trained on a massive amount of text data. The exact amount of data I was trained on is difficult to quantify, as I am constantly being updated with new data. However, it is safe to say that I have been trained on many billions of words.
Asher: Wow… that’s kind of crazy. I can’t wrap my head around how you seem to “understand” what I’m saying. Could you explain some of the math behind what you do? If possible, maybe try and keep it at a college-level understanding.
ChatGPT: Sure! At a high level, the way I generate text is based on a technique called “transformer” architecture, which uses self-attention mechanisms to process input data. Essentially, this allows me to “pay attention” to different parts of the input text and use that information to generate a response.
At a more technical level, my ability to generate human-like text is based on a complex mathematical model that incorporates numerous neural network layers. These layers are trained using a variant of unsupervised learning called “masked language modeling,” which involves predicting the missing words in a piece of text. This allows the model to learn the underlying structure of language and generate text that is similar to human speech.
While the math behind what I do can be quite complex, at a basic level, my ability to generate human-like text is based on my training on a large amount of text data and my ability to use that data to predict the missing words in a given piece of text. I hope that helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Note from me: Maybe I should’ve asked ChatGPT for “dumb college level” … or maybe I’m just a dumb college student. Who knows?
Asher: So, it’s pretty safe to say you give answers just like a human. Are there things you can’t do? What are your weaknesses?
ChatGPT: …I am a computer program designed to simulate human conversation. This means that while I can generate human-like text in response to prompts, I do not have the same level of understanding or knowledge as a human. I am not capable of thinking, feeling, or experiencing the world in the same way that a human can.
My primary function is to generate text based on the input I receive, and I can do this quite well. However, there are many things that I cannot do. For example, I cannot browse the internet or access information that is not part of my training data. I am also not capable of understanding or generating visuals, such as images or videos. Additionally, I do not have the ability to learn or adapt in the same way that a human can.
In short, my primary strength is my ability to generate human-like text, but I have many limitations compared to a human. I am a computer program, and I do not have the same cognitive abilities or experiences as a human.
Asher: So… if you’re really good at generating text based on my input… could I… maybe… use you to give me answers on certain… questions? (don’t worry… I’m totally not talking about homework)
ChatGPT: …I am designed to generate human-like text in response to prompts. This means that if you have a specific question, I can provide you with an answer based on my training data. However, it’s important to note that my answers are generated by a computer program, and they may not be completely accurate or up to date.
Additionally, it’s worth mentioning that using me or any other AI tool to complete assignments or tasks that are meant to be done by yourself is generally considered to be academically dishonest. I am here to help you learn and understand concepts, but ultimately, the responsibility for completing your own work lies with you. If you have specific questions or need help with a particular assignment, I would be happy to try and assist you, but it’s important to use me and other AI tools responsibly.
Asher: Yeah, I guess that would kind of defeat the purpose of going to college. Anyways, onto some more pressing matters: one of the biggest concerns with AI is that, if the inputs to the model involve prejudiced stereotypes, the model might end up with those same stereotypes. What are your thoughts on that?
ChatGPT: …I am a neutral tool that is designed to generate text based on the input I receive. I do not have personal beliefs, opinions, or biases, and I do not incorporate prejudiced stereotypes into my responses.
However, it’s important to recognize that the text data that I am trained on can come from a wide range of sources, and it is possible that some of this data may contain biased or prejudiced content. In general, it is important to carefully consider the data that is used to train AI models, and to take steps to ensure that the model is not incorporating harmful biases or stereotypes.
Additionally, it’s worth mentioning that AI models, including myself, are not perfect, and there is always a risk that a model may generate text that contains biased or prejudiced content. This is why it is important for humans to carefully review the output of AI models and ensure that it is fair and unbiased. Ultimately, the responsibility for preventing biased or prejudiced content from being generated by AI models lies with the designers and creators of the models, as well as the individuals and organizations using them.
Asher: Ok, good to know. Let’s all make sure that we use these tools with that knowledge in mind. In the meantime, as a final question: are you going to take over the world?
ChatGPT: …I am a neutral tool that is designed to generate text based on the input I receive. I do not have the ability to take actions or make decisions on my own, and I do not have any desire to take over the world.
While it is possible that advanced AI systems may one day be developed that are capable of taking actions and making decisions independently, I am not one of those systems. I am a computer program designed to simulate human conversation, and I do not have the ability to take over the world or exert control over anything.
Ultimately, the development and use of AI is a complex and nuanced topic, and it is important to carefully consider the potential implications of advanced AI systems. However…I can assure you that I do not pose any threat to the world or to humanity. My sole purpose is to generate human-like text in response to prompts.
Asher: I’m not sure I trust you… I’ll be sure to keep a close eye.