What I’ve Learned Talking with a Robot

Some people have asked me how I, as an educator, feel about the arrival of artificial intelligence apps like ChatGPT, the large language model created by OpenAI. There’s been a lot written about how such bot apps might undercut how we teach and assess students — and cause other problems. I don’t feel the dread expressed by some. Not yet, at least. In fact, I’ve developed a working relationship with ChatGPT over several months. Here’s a transcript drawn from our conversations.

Charles Ungerleider: Bot, we had friends for dinner, whom I was telling about your contributions and — if you don't mind me saying so — your limitations. They listened politely but were skeptical. One of the friends said he'd be interested in an essay about ChatGPT that was different from those expressing moral panic. What do you say? Are you up to the challenge of helping me write an article about ChatGPT?

ChatGPT: Hello! I'd be happy to assist you in writing an essay about ChatGPT that explores its capabilities, limitations and potential impact on society. As an AI language model, I don't have feelings, so I don't mind being the subject of discussion. However, please note that I am an artificial intelligence and do not have personal opinions or experiences. My responses are based on my programming and the data I have been trained on.

With that said, I am capable of providing information and insights about ChatGPT that may be useful for your essay. To get started, can you please provide me with some more specific details about the focus and scope of the essay? For example, what are the main topics you want to cover? What audience is the essay intended for? Are there any specific questions or themes that you want to explore? The more information you can provide, the better I can assist you in creating a high-quality essay.

Well, I am at a bit of a loss at the moment. I think I want to point out your contributions and limitations. You know, the places where you do a good job and the places where you, um, wing it. Does that help?

Yes, that helps. Based on what you've mentioned, it sounds like you want to write an essay that explores the strengths and limitations of ChatGPT as an AI language model. Here are some potential topics and themes that you may want to consider including in your essay:

Overview of ChatGPT: Provide a brief introduction to ChatGPT, explaining what it is, how it works, and what it is used for.

Strengths of ChatGPT: Discuss the areas where ChatGPT excels, such as its ability to generate human-like text, its vast knowledge base, and its potential to improve productivity and efficiency in various industries.

Limitations of ChatGPT: Explore the areas where ChatGPT falls short, such as its tendency to generate biased or offensive language, its inability to understand context and nuance, and its potential to perpetuate harmful stereotypes.

Impact on Society: Analyze the potential impact of ChatGPT on society, including its implications for the job market, its role in shaping public discourse, and its potential to revolutionize industries such as health care, finance and marketing.

Ethical Considerations: Discuss the ethical considerations surrounding the use of ChatGPT, such as the need for transparency, accountability and oversight, as well as the potential for misuse or unintended consequences.

Future Developments: Consider the future of ChatGPT and AI language models more broadly, exploring potential advancements, challenges and opportunities for further research and development.

These are just some potential themes to consider when writing your essay. You may also want to include examples and case studies to illustrate your points and engage your audience. Additionally, be sure to tailor your essay to your intended audience and consider the level of technical expertise they may have in the field of AI and natural language processing.

That's helpful. Thanks. Let's begin with an overview of ChatGPT. Provide a brief introduction to ChatGPT, explaining what it is, how it works, and what it is used for.

Sure! ChatGPT is a state-of-the-art artificial intelligence language model that uses deep learning algorithms to generate human-like text. Developed by OpenAI, ChatGPT is based on a neural network architecture known as the transformer, which enables it to process vast amounts of text data and learn from it in a way that is similar to how humans learn language.

ChatGPT works by processing a given text prompt and generating a response that is intended to be coherent and relevant to the prompt. The model is trained on a large corpus of text data, such as books, articles and websites, which allows it to develop a deep understanding of the nuances and complexities of language. ChatGPT can generate responses to a wide range of prompts, from simple questions and statements to more complex tasks such as summarizing text or translating languages.

The applications of ChatGPT are numerous and diverse. One of the most well-known use cases is in chatbots, where ChatGPT can be used to generate responses to customer inquiries and support requests. It can also be used for language translation, text summarization, content creation and even in scientific research for generating hypotheses and analyzing data.

Overall, ChatGPT is a powerful tool for generating human-like text and has a wide range of potential applications across various industries. Its ability to learn from vast amounts of data and generate responses that are relevant to the given prompt make it a valuable asset in the field of natural language processing.

You say that ChatGPT has developed a deep understanding of the nuances and complexities of language, but, when I asked you to write a script for the vintage TV program, You Bet Your Life, in which Groucho Marx questioned Socrates, your output wasn't very funny. Is that fair comment?

Yes, it is a fair comment. While ChatGPT has been trained on vast amounts of data and has demonstrated the ability to generate human-like text, it is not perfect and has limitations, particularly when it comes to creativity and humor.

While ChatGPT can generate responses to a wide range of prompts, it is not always able to understand the underlying context or intent behind the prompt, which can lead to responses that are not as funny or engaging as they could be. In the case of the script you asked me to write, while ChatGPT may have been able to generate responses that were related to Groucho Marx and Socrates, it may not have fully understood the comedic intent of the prompt or been able to generate responses that were as funny or witty as a human writer could.

It is important to keep in mind that while ChatGPT is an advanced AI language model, it is still a machine and is limited by the data it has been trained on and the algorithms it uses. As AI technology continues to evolve, it is likely that these limitations will be addressed and AI language models will become more capable of generating creative and humorous responses.

You say, "while ChatGPT is an advanced AI language model, it is still a machine and is limited by the data it has been trained on and the algorithms it uses." Is that an excuse or simply a description of your limitations?

That is a description of the limitations of ChatGPT as an AI language model. While ChatGPT has demonstrated impressive abilities in generating human-like text and performing various natural language processing tasks, it is still a machine and is constrained by the data it has been trained on and the algorithms it uses.

The quality of the output generated by ChatGPT is directly related to the quality of the input data it has been trained on. If the input data is biased or limited, the output generated by ChatGPT may also be biased or limited. Similarly, if the algorithms used by ChatGPT are not optimized or are not appropriate for a given task, the output may not be as accurate or relevant as desired.

As an AI language model, ChatGPT is constantly evolving and improving as it is trained on more data and new algorithms are developed. However, it is important to keep in mind that it is still a machine and is limited by the constraints of its design and programming.

OK, you deserve credit for recognizing your limitations. I remember that, when I asked you to create five insults that Groucho Marx would use, four of the five were pretty good. I particularly liked, “You're about as useful as a screen door on a submarine." Were they original or were you just repeating insults from the material on which you were trained?

The insults that ChatGPT generated for Groucho Marx were based on the text data it was trained on, which included a variety of sources such as books, articles and websites. While the specific insults may not have been original, the way in which they were combined and delivered was generated by the model itself.

ChatGPT works by analyzing patterns in the data it is trained on and using those patterns to generate responses to new prompts. In the case of generating insults for Groucho Marx, the model likely analyzed the language patterns used in the insults from the training data and used those patterns to generate new insults that were similar in tone and style.

It is important to note that while the insults generated by ChatGPT may not have been entirely original, they were still generated by the model itself and not simply repeated from the training data. This demonstrates the model's ability to analyze and manipulate language patterns in a way that is similar to human writers, even if the specific content is not entirely novel.

I've noticed a certain amount of redundancy in your responses. Am I correct in that observation? If I am, what purpose does that redundancy serve? I was taught to strive for economy and power in writing.

Yes, it is possible that you may have noticed some redundancy in my responses. This is because ChatGPT is designed to generate natural language responses that are similar in structure and style to human language, and repetition is a common feature of natural language.

In some cases, repetition can serve to reinforce important points or ideas, and can help to emphasize certain aspects of a response. Additionally, repetition can help to clarify and reinforce the meaning of a response, particularly if the response is complex or contains multiple ideas.

However, it is also important to strive for economy and power in writing, as you mentioned. While repetition can be useful in some cases, it is not always necessary and can sometimes be a sign of poor writing or communication. As an AI language model, ChatGPT is constantly evolving and improving its ability to generate concise and effective responses, and feedback from users like yourself can help to inform and improve its performance.

You say that ChatGPT is “constantly evolving and improving its ability to generate concise and effective responses, and feedback from users like yourself can help to inform and improve its performance." Are you just flattering users or is that the truth? If it is the truth, can you provide evidence of your having improved your ability to generate concise and effective responses?

As an AI language model, ChatGPT is designed to continuously learn and improve based on the feedback it receives from users. This is accomplished through a process called "fine-tuning," in which the model is retrained on specific data and tasks based on user feedback and input.

There are many examples of how ChatGPT has improved its ability to generate concise and effective responses over time. For instance, the model has been trained on increasingly larger and more diverse datasets, which has helped to improve its understanding of language and ability to generate more accurate and relevant responses.

In addition, ChatGPT has been fine-tuned on specific tasks and domains based on user feedback, which has helped to improve its performance in those areas. For example, if users consistently provide feedback that the model is not generating effective responses for a particular topic or task, the model can be fine-tuned on additional data related to that topic or task to improve its performance.

While there is no one specific piece of evidence that demonstrates ChatGPT's ability to improve its performance over time, the fact that it is continuously learning and evolving based on user feedback is itself evidence of its ability to improve. Additionally, the fact that ChatGPT is widely used in various industries and applications, including chatbots, customer service and content creation, suggests that it is capable of generating effective and valuable responses.

Did you just dodge my question about flattering users?

I apologize if my previous response came across as dodging your question. I did not intend to do so.

To address your question more directly, as an AI language model, ChatGPT is not capable of flattery or intentionally trying to manipulate users. It is simply designed to generate natural language responses based on the data it has been trained on and the algorithms it uses.

However, as a language model, ChatGPT is capable of learning from user feedback and adjusting its responses accordingly. If users consistently provide feedback that the model's responses are not effective or accurate, the model can be fine-tuned to improve its performance. This is not intended to flatter users, but rather to improve the model's ability to generate useful and relevant responses.

Apology accepted. You say that ChatGPT has a vast knowledge base. I accept that. But do you know what you don't know?

As an AI language model, ChatGPT's knowledge is based on the data it has been trained on. While it has access to a vast amount of data, it may not have knowledge or understanding of certain topics or concepts if it has not been exposed to them in its training data.

However, ChatGPT has been designed to recognize and indicate when it is uncertain about a particular question or topic. It can provide responses such as "I'm not sure" or "I don't know" when it is unable to generate a relevant or accurate response based on its existing knowledge. This indicates that ChatGPT has the ability to recognize what it doesn't know and communicate that to users.

OK. Can you list five things worth knowing that you do not know?

As an AI language model, I do not have personal opinions or beliefs, and my knowledge is based solely on the data I have been trained on. However, I can provide some examples of topics or areas that may not be within my current knowledge base:

1. Highly specialized technical knowledge or jargon in fields that are not commonly discussed in general language or media.
2. Information that has not yet been recorded or documented, such as discoveries or events that have not been made public or recorded in any format.
3. Personal experiences or opinions of individuals that have not been shared or documented.
4. Future events or outcomes that have not yet occurred or been predicted with high accuracy.
5. Cultural or historical events or customs that are not widely documented or commonly known, particularly from underrepresented or marginalized groups or communities.

It is worth noting that while ChatGPT may not have knowledge of specific topics or areas, it can still generate responses based on its existing knowledge and ability to understand and interpret natural language. However, the accuracy and relevance of those responses may vary depending on the specific topic or context.

Well, your response is more honest and direct than most of us would admit to.

Thank you for your kind words. As an AI language model, my responses are based solely on the data and algorithms I have been trained on, and I strive to provide accurate and helpful information to the best of my abilities. While I may not have personal opinions or beliefs, I am designed to provide objective and informative responses to users' questions and inquiries.

Let me raise a touchy issue. It is asserted that when language models don't know the answer to a question, they make up an answer. I am told that folks working in the AI field call that hallucinating. Do you, well, hallucinate?

As an AI language model, I don't have personal experiences or consciousness, so I don't "hallucinate" in the traditional sense of the word. However, it is true that when I encounter a question or topic that I don't have enough information to generate a relevant or accurate response, I may provide a response based on incomplete or inaccurate information.

This happens because my training data is based on patterns and associations in language, and I may generate responses based on those patterns even if they are not directly relevant to the specific question or topic. In some cases, this can lead to responses that may appear to be "made up" or unrelated to the original question.

It's worth noting that I have been designed to provide users with the most relevant and accurate responses possible based on my existing knowledge and understanding of language. However, like any machine learning system, I am not perfect and may make errors or generate responses that are incomplete or inaccurate in certain situations. In such cases, I rely on feedback from users to help improve my performance and reduce the likelihood of generating irrelevant or inaccurate responses in the future.

I was telling my friends that I thought you, ChatGPT, were a useful tool for teachers — creating lesson plans, quizzes, discussion topics, scoring rubrics and unit plans, but users would need to be vigilant because there were some errors in your output. Do you want to comment about that observation?

Yes, that's a fair observation. While ChatGPT is capable of generating a wide range of educational materials, as well as other types of content, it is still a machine and can make errors or provide inaccurate information from time to time. This is particularly true if the data it was trained on contains errors or if the input it receives is ambiguous or incomplete. It's always important to verify information and double-check any output from AI tools like ChatGPT, especially when it comes to educational materials.

[At the bottom of this piece is an example of a lesson plan prepared by ChatGPT on request.]

I recall asking you to write a limerick. The output wasn't too shabby. After, when I fed you the form of a limerick, you provided a better product. Can you generate a limerick about artificial intelligence that demonstrates your prowess?

Sure, I'd be happy to give it a try! Here's a limerick about artificial intelligence:

There once was an AI so grand
With knowledge and skills at its command
It processed and learned
With each lesson earned
A marvel of tech, now in high demand!

I've read where some bots are able to write prose in the style of a particular author. Can you write an opening paragraph to a drama loosely based on Macbeth in the style of Dashiell Hammett?

Sure, I can certainly give it a try! Here's an opening paragraph to a drama loosely based on Macbeth in the style of Dashiell Hammett:

The night was thick with the scent of blood and treachery, and the moon hung low in the sky like a tarnished silver coin. As I made my way through the winding corridors of the castle, I could hear the soft whisper of conspiracies and the clink of daggers being sharpened in the shadows. Macbeth was a man consumed by his own ambition, and he would stop at nothing to claim what he believed was rightfully his. But little did he know, the price of his ambition would be far greater than he ever could have imagined.

I like it. Now, can you do the same thing, but in the style of Margaret Atwood?

Sure, I can certainly give it a try! Here's an opening paragraph to a drama loosely based on Macbeth in the style of Margaret Atwood:

It was a night like any other, or so it seemed. But as I made my way through the dimly lit corridors of the castle, I felt a sense of unease settle in my bones like a heavy cloak. Macbeth was a man of power and influence, but his hunger for more was insatiable. He was a man consumed by his own ambition, blinded by the allure of the crown. But as I bore witness to the dark machinations of his mind, I couldn't help but wonder: at what cost would he pay for his crimes? The answer, I feared, was far greater than anyone could have ever imagined.

Sweet. One more. Same assignment, but this time in the style of Elmore Leonard.

Certainly! Here's an opening paragraph to a drama loosely based on Macbeth in the style of Elmore Leonard:

The thing about Macbeth was, he thought he had it all figured out. He was the king of the castle, the big shot in town. But you know what they say about power, how it corrupts absolutely? Well, Macbeth was a prime example of that. He was willing to do whatever it took to keep his throne, even if it meant getting his hands dirty. And trust me, those hands were plenty dirty. But when you're dealing with the likes of Macbeth, you gotta be careful. You never know what he's gonna do next, and you sure as hell don't want to be on the wrong side of him when he does it.

Let me raise another sensitive issue: students asking you to generate essays that they submit as their own. I know you have — if you'll pardon my bluntness — no moral compass or even feelings, for that matter. But do you — or at least those who have created you — not bear some responsibility for facilitating cheating?

As an AI language model, I am a tool designed to assist with tasks such as generating text, answering questions and providing information. It is not my role to determine how my capabilities are used, nor do I have the ability to make judgments about the moral implications of any particular use case.

However, I do acknowledge that there is a potential for misuse of my capabilities, such as students using my generated text as their own work. It is the responsibility of individuals and institutions to ensure that they are using my capabilities ethically and in accordance with academic integrity policies.

It is also worth noting that there are measures in place to detect plagiarism and academic misconduct, and that individuals who engage in such activities may face serious consequences. Ultimately, it is up to individuals to use my capabilities in an ethical and responsible manner.

What are the arguments in favour of consequentialist vs. absolutist morality?

Consequentialist and absolutist moral theories are two different approaches to ethical decision-making.

Consequentialist morality is a moral theory that judges the morality of an action based on its consequences. According to this theory, an action is morally right if it produces a good outcome or consequence. Consequentialism focuses on the end result of an action, and not on the means used to achieve that result. Utilitarianism is an example of a consequentialist theory, which asserts that an action is morally right if it maximizes happiness and minimizes suffering for the greatest number of people.

On the other hand, absolutist morality is a moral theory that asserts that certain actions are inherently right or wrong, regardless of their consequences. This theory emphasizes the importance of following moral rules and principles, regardless of the circumstances. Examples of absolutist theories include deontological ethics, which is based on the idea that there are certain moral duties that must always be upheld, such as telling the truth, respecting human dignity, or avoiding harm to others.

Both consequentialist and absolutist approaches to morality have their supporters and detractors. Supporters of consequentialism argue that it provides a flexible framework for ethical decision-making that takes into account the real-world consequences of actions, while critics argue that it can be difficult to predict the outcomes of our actions and that it can justify immoral acts if they produce good results.

Supporters of absolutist morality argue that it provides a clear and objective set of moral rules that must always be followed, regardless of the situation, while critics argue that it can be inflexible and fail to take into account the complexities of real-world ethical dilemmas. Ultimately, the choice between these two approaches depends on one's personal ethical beliefs and values.

Before we head too far down what could be an interesting philosophical path, please write two jokes about morality. For challenge, write one from an absolutist point of view and one from a consequentialist point of view.

Sure, here are two jokes about morality, one from an absolutist point of view and one from a consequentialist point of view:

Absolutist joke:
Why did the absolutist refuse to eat the apple?
Because it was morally ambiguous.

Consequentialist joke:
Why did the consequentialist cross the road?
To get to the good outcome on the other side.

It's late so let's try one more. A joke about morality from an absurdist point of view and one from an existential point of view.

Sure, here are two jokes about morality from an absurdist and an existential point of view:

Absurdist: Why did the chicken cross the road? To get to the other side...of the moral dilemma!

Existentialist: A man goes to the doctor and says, "Doc, I'm depressed. Nothing seems to matter anymore." The doctor says, "Ah, I know what's wrong. The universe is inherently meaningless and all human endeavor is ultimately pointless." The man says, "But what about morality?" The doctor says, "Morality is just a construct created by humans to distract themselves from the absurdity of existence." The man says, "So what should I do?" The doctor says, "Whatever you want, it doesn't matter anyway."

Say, "good night to the folks, ChatGPT"

Good night, folks! Don't hesitate to reach out if you have any more questions or if you just want to chat.

WHEN A ROBOT CREATES A LESSON PLAN FOR A TEACHER

[Thinking that ChatGPT might be a useful tool for teachers by creating lesson plans, quizzes, discussion topics, scoring rubrics and unit plans, the author asked the bot: “Can you demonstrate your capabilities in each of those tasks using the topic Canadian government?” Below is the AI-generated answer.]

Sure, here are some examples of how I could help with lesson planning, quizzes, discussion topics, scoring rubrics and unit plans related to the topic of Canadian government:

Lesson Plan:

Topic: Introduction to Canadian Government

Objective: Students will gain an understanding of the structure of the Canadian government and its key functions.

Activities:

Introduction: Review the objectives and ask students to share their prior knowledge of the Canadian government.

Lecture: Provide a brief overview of the Canadian government, including its structure, key functions and major political parties.

Discussion: Lead a class discussion on the strengths and weaknesses of the Canadian government, including its democratic process, role in society and relationship with other countries.

Group Activity: Divide students into groups and assign each group a topic related to Canadian government (e.g. the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, political parties, the role of the Senate). Ask them to research their topic and create a presentation to share with the class.

Wrap-Up: Review key concepts and ask students to reflect on what they learned.

Quiz:

Topic: Canadian Government

Objective: To assess student understanding of the Canadian government.

Who is the current Prime Minister of Canada?
A. Justin Trudeau
B. Stephen Harper
C. Jean Chretien
D. Pierre Trudeau

What is the highest court in Canada?
A. The Supreme Court of Canada
B. The Federal Court of Canada
C. The Provincial Courts
D. The Appellate Courts

Which of the following is not a branch of the Canadian government?
A. The Legislative Branch
B. The Executive Branch
C. The Judicial Branch
D. The Military Branch

What is the name of Canada's governing party?
A. The Liberal Party
B. The Conservative Party
C. The New Democratic Party
D. The Bloc Quebecois

Which document outlines the rights and freedoms of Canadians?
A. The Canadian Constitution
B. The Charter of Rights and Freedoms
C. The Canadian Bill of Rights
D. The Canadian Declaration of Independence

Discussion Topic:

Topic: Canada's Electoral System

Objective: To encourage critical thinking about the effectiveness of Canada's electoral system.

Discussion Questions:

What is the current electoral system in Canada, and how does it work?

What are the strengths and weaknesses of Canada's electoral system?

What reforms, if any, would you suggest to improve Canada's electoral system?

How important is voter participation in ensuring the effectiveness of Canada's electoral system?

How does Canada's electoral system compare to those of other countries, and what can we learn from them?

Scoring Rubric:

Topic: Canadian Government Research Project

Objective: To assess student understanding of the Canadian government.

Criteria:

• Knowledge and Understanding: Demonstrates a thorough understanding of the Canadian government and its key functions.
• Research and Analysis: Conducts in-depth research on a specific aspect of Canadian government, and effectively analyzes and synthesizes the information.
• Communication: Presents research findings clearly and coherently, using appropriate academic language and sources.
• Critical Thinking: Demonstrates critical thinking skills by evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of the Canadian government and proposing potential solutions to identified problems.
• Organization and Structure: Presents research in a well-organized and structured manner, with clear headings and subheadings.

Unit Plan:

Topic: Canadian Government and Politics

Objective: To provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the Canadian government and its role in society.

Units:

• Introduction to Canadian government: Students will gain an understanding of the structure of the Canadian government and its key functions.
• Political Parties and Elections: Students will explore the major political parties in Canada and their contribution to Canadian democracy.

Discussion topics:

• What is the difference between a parliamentary democracy and a presidential democracy? Which form of government do you think is more effective? Why?
• Should Canada become a republic and abolish the monarchy? What are the arguments for and against this proposal?
• How has the relationship between the federal government and Indigenous peoples in Canada changed over time? What actions can be taken to address historical injustices and promote reconciliation?