What is AI?
Artificial intelligence (AI) is, in a nutshell, when computers manage information in much the same way people would.
If someone asked you a question, like, what is load-shedding? You would in a few seconds have come up with an answer to give. You are often unaware of how your mind sifts and processes all you have heard or read about load-shedding to be able to give an answer.
Similarly, a computer programme using AI would ‘think’ about how to solve a problem asked of it or make a ‘decision’ based on the information it has.
Using the information a computer programme has available to it, usually, data made available to it by the people who created it, it can ‘think’ about how to do a task asked of it.
Some common examples of computer programs using simple AI:
- Based on your website browsing history, the internet can filter out thousands of different online adverts to only show you the ones it thinks you might respond to.
- There is too much information on the internet for us comprehend. AI is used by Google, for example, when you search for data online. Google interprets what it thinks you are looking for and gives websites it thinks will be useful to you.
- Some computer programs can detect fake news and alert the reader to questions about the accuracy of the information being consumed.
- In self-driving cars of the future, AI can detect possibly dangerous situations to avoid
What is ChatGPT?
It is an incredibly powerful AI programme, the likes of which the world has not seen before. It is in its infancy though and will continue to grow and become more effective as developers continue working on it.
This is, in a sense, much like using Google. It is a free computer program anyone can use. You type in a question and it in a matter of seconds provides an answer it thinks is best. It does this by searching all of the information available to it in seconds and gives you an answer.
The biggest difference from Google though is the way it uses language. Generally, it makes answers easy to understand in conversational language which is easy to read., Answers are digestible because of how they are presented.
It only draws information from data specifically given to it through websites and other means, but does not mine the entire internet which is a limitation.
- Google indexes websites that might have the information you require.
- ChatGPT uses information available to it to give a written or conversational response.
A ChatCPT user can and should make questions specific
- Word length of answer (if important)
- Style of writing needed (formal, conversational, funny)
- Do you want the information used to be referenced for an academic essay?
- Asking questions to learn more about a topic like global warming for example.
It can also be used for practical reasons:
- Create useful lists to use in everyday life
- Writing computer code
- Summarising a longer article or essay
- Write a cover letter or CV
- Fun ideas for a Mexican-themed birthday party decorations
The possibilities are endless
The magic of ChatGPT though, is how the information is shared with the reader. At the end of every question remains the box to type in another question. Based on the answer it provided, you can ask follow-up questions. It also keeps a history of previous searches, so it is easy to go back to old questions and answers. Keep asking questions, the more specific the better, until you have the information you need.
For example, you could ask it how to use marketing techniques for your small business – let’s pretend you are a baker.
Question: In simple English, how do I get more customers to my small bakery in 50 words?
Answer: To attract more customers to your small bakery, focus on showcasing your delicious baked goods through eye-catching displays and mouth-watering photographs on social media. Offer special promotions, such as discounts for first-time customers or loyalty programmes. Engage with your local community by participating in events and collaborating with nearby businesses.
From this answer, you can ask follow-up questions like: How do I offer loyalty programmes to customers? How do I take good food photos? How to take good food photos with my cellphone?
Concerns associated with ChatGPT
Fears are being raised in some circles because of how powerful the functionality of ChatGPT is. Educators are pleased on the one hand that students have more information at their fingertips, but using the platform to research and do homework for them, rather than as an assisting tool, is a worry.
Teacher at De La Salle Holy Cross High School Mirek Baran expressed his concerns. “This artificial intelligence is not a critical thinking tool, so students and learners can use it as a resource to help with their school work. Our role as teachers is to show them that they can, and must thrive in fields that AI cannot.
“It is a great platform to help us students pass our grades. With its user-friendly interface and comprehensive study materials, this platform has become an indispensable tool for students seeking academic success,” said Prudence Silinda, a student at Wits.
Some things to keep in mind:
- The potential for bias based on what information ChatGPT is using
- Because it does not have emotional intelligence, the program often lacks creativity
- Information manipulation, again depending on where it draws information from. Experts are therefore moving quickly to protect the program from hackers who may want to infiltrate its knowledge base with nefarious or dangerous propaganda or content.
- The information it draws from ends in 2021, so newer data and important facts may currently be excluded from responses given.
- ChatGPT does not inherently learn, it is rather given more information. Humans continue learning and growing in knowledge in a way that helps us build better answers and understanding. Without this, the programme does not benefit from a holistic view of information.
Writing essays is easy.
Here is one example of how we used ChatGPT to create a short text for the purposes of this article:
Question:
Assume you are a 16-year-old student at a school in Johannesburg (South Africa). Write a 50-word article on the dangers of using ChatGPT to do your schoolwork. Ensure the article is concise and all the information is accurate and referenced.
Answer:
Title: The Pitfalls of Relying on ChatGPT for Schoolwork
As a 16-year-old student in Johannesburg, South Africa, it is essential to understand the potential hazards of relying excessively on ChatGPT for completing school assignments. While it may provide quick answers, it hinders critical thinking, reduces opportunities for genuine learning, and increases the risk of plagiarism. It is crucial to use ChatGPT as a supplementary tool while prioritizing personal understanding and seeking guidance from teachers to foster genuine academic growth.
References:
n Luckin, R., Holmes, W., Griffiths, M., & Forcier, L. B. (2016). Intelligence Unleashed: An argument for AI in education. Journal of Artificial Intelligence in Education, 26(2), 631–649.
n Barabasch, A., & Akbulut, Y. (2020). Detecting digital plagiarism: A systematic review of studies on developing AI-based approaches. Computers & Education, 152, 103864.
You can access ChatGPT simply by visiting chat.openai.com and creating an account.
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