Behind the viral AI writer ChatGPT
January 12, 2023
ChatGPT is a viral artificial intelligence (AI) system created by the OpenAI organization and initially released on November 30, 2022. Users can provide prompts to the AI in an instant-message-like feature and ChatGPT will answer the user’s prompts in full sentences, mimicking the rhythm of human conversation.
ChatGPT is based on the GPT-3 (Generative Pretrained Transformer 3) AI model developed by OpenAI, according to BBC Science Focus. At its core, GPT-3 is a large language model, a form of neural network that uses algorithms to analyze a massive library of text to produce language that sounds human-like.
Broadly, neural networks are mathematical functions inspired by how neurons are wired together in the brain. Large language models in particular train the neural network by predicting blanked-out words in the texts they are presented, and then adjusting the strength of connections between their layered computing elements, or “neurons,” to reduce prediction error. The model works on its ability to use probability to guess the next word in the sentence.
The developers of ChatGPT refined the AI’s responses to more accurately simulate human speech patterns using the input of human trainers during a supervised testing phase, according to BBC Science Focus. Trainers compared responses written by ChatGPT to responses from humans and ranked their quality to help reinforce human-like communication styles. What sets ChatGPT apart from other AI systems is that it continues to learn while guessing what the next word should be, constantly improving its understanding of prompts and questions.
Large language models are still prone to repeating errors and problematic errors present in the source documents, according to Nature News. Researchers worry that streams of apparently authoritative computer-generated language that’s indistinguishable from human writing could cause distrust and confusion, according to Nature News. Although large language models could be used to strengthen efforts to understand complex research, they could also deepen public skepticism of science.
The Computer Science Department at Union College explores natural language processing, the mechanism that underlies intelligence systems like ChatGPT. This term, the Natural Language Processing course (CSC 483) taught by Professor Kristina Strigenitz covers large language models which serve as a basis for powerful algorithms like ChatGPT.
To test ChatGPT’s ability to write articles like the one above, Concordy ran an experiment by prompting the AI with the following: Write a 300-word college newspaper article about ChatGPT. Rate the article and let us know how you think ChatGPT is doing by sending an email to the editor at [email protected]!
“ChatGPT, short for Chat Generative Pre-training Transformer, is a cutting-edge AI language model developed by OpenAI. The model is specifically designed for chat applications, and it has the ability to generate human-like text that is suitable for use in chatbots and other conversational AI applications.
ChatGPT is built on the foundation of the original GPT model, which was introduced in 2018. Like GPT, ChatGPT uses deep learning techniques to generate text, but it has been fine-tuned to be more appropriate for use in chat contexts. This is accomplished by training the model on a dataset of conversational text, which allows it to generate text that is more natural and fluent in a conversational setting.
One of the key advantages of ChatGPT is its ability to take into account the context of a conversation. This means that the model can understand the previous messages in a chat and use this information to generate more appropriate and coherent responses. This makes ChatGPT particularly well-suited for use in chatbots, as it allows the bot to have more natural and engaging conversations with users.
In addition to its context-awareness, ChatGPT also has the ability to generate text in real-time. This allows it to respond to user input in a timely manner, which is essential for a natural and engaging conversation. With this capability, ChatGPT can be used to build chatbots and other conversational AI applications that can have more realistic and human-like interactions with users.
The potential applications of ChatGPT are vast and varied. In the field of customer service, chatbots powered by ChatGPT can provide more natural and efficient interactions with customers. In education, chat-based tutoring systems could use the technology to provide personalized instruction and feedback to students. The possibilities are endless, and as the technology continues to advance, we can expect to see even more exciting applications of ChatGPT in the near future.
In conclusion, ChatGPT is a powerful and versatile language model that has the potential to revolutionize the field of conversational AI. With its ability to generate human-like text and take into account context and real-time responses, ChatGPT can create a more natural and engaging conversational experience for users. As the technology continues to evolve, we can expect to see more and more chatbot applications that are powered by ChatGPT, and that will benefit in many industries and fields.”