What is ChatGPT and how will it make these jobs obsolete?
What is ChatGPT?
We’ll answer that question with another inquiry: Familiar with Skynet or Cyberdyne Systems? If not, chat with “Sarah Connor.” (Or, truly just watch “Terminator 2: Judgement Day.”)
Obviously, the “Cyberdyne” reference is a stretch. Meaning, if you’ve seen the "Terminator" movies, you know artificial intelligence becomes self aware, realizes humans are the problem and proceeds to eradicate its creators.
AI and search:New Bing with ChatGPT brings the power of AI to Microsoft's signature search engine
However, in real life 2023, artificial intelligence, or AI, has been helping humanity for decades. Alexa and Siri are mainstream examples of how AI supports us with mundane, everyday tasks.
(Clears throat) "Hey, Google... What's the temperature outside?"
"Hey Google... What time do the Titans play today?"
ChatGPT is just the latest evolution, a development of San Francisco-based startup OpenAI.
ChatGPT, which stands for Generative Pre-trained Transformer, is a free online tool. Ask the chatbot a question and you'll get a response in paragraph form.
The tool is “trained” using something called Reinforcement Learning from Human Feedback. The human “trainers” then collect data and have a conversation with the learning model, teaching the AI.
Business applications for AI
Since computers aren’t sloppy and don’t take time off like us humans, the benefits of AI in business are obvious. And endless.
James Church, an Austin Peay State University professor of computer science and information technology, agreed. So he wanted to test the limits of the tool in his profession.
"As a computer scientist, I've been asking ChatGPT to write code for me. And, I evaluate how successful it is writing that code,” Church said.
Sometimes it’s perfect.
"Other times, I see mistakes in that code,” Church said.
The Clarksville professor said that’s probably the major issue now with the ChatGPT. As amazing as the AI tech is at times, it’s not yet up-to-date on the latest news, and it is still makes mistakes.
"It's a sign that technology is moving in a direction,” Church said.
Don't get any funny ideas, Mr. Schwarzenegger robot.
Possible negative effects
Like most technology, there are tradeoffs. In this case, added consumer conveniences may lead to the loss of jobs in America. Think accountants. Market research analysts. Paralegals. Financial advisors, graphic designers and customer service agents. Teachers.
Um, journalists?
"There are lots of negative applications of ChatGPT,” Church said. "And, most of them come from the world of creative works."
Artists also are worried that AI art-generating tools, like OpenAI-created DALL·E 2, will reduce the need for human creatives.
Also, these tools can further allow humans to get by without actually learning.
Church cited a recent example. One of his colleagues at APSU inputted the answers for a student assignment to be prepared for if the students utilized ChatGPT-provided answers.
"We are currently at a state where AI can write English for us,” Church said.
Leaders at APSU and other colleges, and school districts nationwide, are closely monitoring and discussing what should be done, if anything, about ChatGPT and other tools. OpenAI told USA TODAY in recent weeks it's created a tool for teachers to catch students who use it to answer questions on tests or assignments.
So, as many people have already stated in the few months since ChatGPT was unveiled, there’s a lot of good possibilities with OpenAI products.
Just don’t let it become self aware.
"The unknown future rolls toward us. I face it for the first time with a sense of hope." — Sarah Conner
Chris Gadd writes about business development, dining and more in Williamson County. He can be reached at cgadd@tennessean.com.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: What is ChatGPT and how will it make these jobs obsolete?
