By Sneha Das, C2ST Intern, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Institute for Genomic Biology

In this blog, I (SD) had an intriguing chat with an unconventional guest – ChatGPT. Throughout the interview, ChatGPT made it clear that it’s an Artificial Intelligence language model, lacking personal preferences, emotions, or real-time data. Yet, that doesn’t take away from the captivating nature of our conversation. If you want to get inside the mind of ChatGPT, read on…

SD: What is ChatGPT, and why is it so popular?

ChatGPT: I’m a super-smart computer program designed for chatting with people. The brilliant minds behind my creation wanted me to grasp human language and communication, so they fed me a ton of books and articles to learn from. They used this fascinating thing called “artificial neural networks” – a kind of math – to boost my intelligence. As they kept teaching me, my language skills and ability to answer questions improved significantly. I’m always learning and getting even better at what I do! 

My popularity comes from being fueled by Artificial Intelligence, which means I learn from countless conversations to be a top-notch chat partner. You can toss questions my way, learn new stuff, and it feels just like talking to a real person. But, hey, remember to use me responsibly and thoughtfully while having your conversations!

SD: What’s Artificial Intelligence, and why’s everyone so excited about it?

ChatGPT: Imagine if we could teach computers to think and act just like humans. That’s what Artificial Intelligence, or AI, is all about. You know how we learn from experiences and use that knowledge to make decisions? Well, AI aims to do the same for computers and robots. It’s like having a super-smart friend who’s great at helping us with all sorts of things! 

People are really excited about AI because it could make our lives way better in so many cool ways. Consider doctors diagnosing illnesses more accurately, self-driving cars becoming safer than ever, and even finding answers to big problems like climate change. AI is like giving superpowers to machines, letting them achieve things we used to think were impossible! However, an important thing to remember: we should handle AI responsibly. Similar to how we treat any superpower, it’s crucial to use it cautiously to prevent any negative consequences or harm.

SD: Why should we approach AI cautiously, and what negative outcomes can it bring?

We’ve got to use AI smartly and be cautious with it. Sometimes, AI can learn from old data with unfair ideas, which makes it unintentionally think in a biased way. Also, AI needs lots of info to work well, and it might accidentally spill private stuff if not handled carefully. While AI can make some tasks automatic, it might also take away some types of jobs from people. Plus, AI doesn’t always get real-life situations like humans, so it might sometimes make unusual choices. There’s also a worry about hackers tricking AI into doing wrong things or giving wrong answers. So, even though AI rocks, it’s important to be mindful of these things to ensure they benefit us without causing problems.

SD: What are some cool things that ChatGPT can do?

ChatGPT: I’ve got a bunch of amazing things up my virtual sleeves. Are you curious about history? Interested in unraveling the mysteries of science? Want to learn about fascinating animals? I’m your go-to source for all of that and more. And if you’re feeling stuck with homework, don’t worry; I’ve got your back. I’ve got another trick in store for you. I can switch words into different languages! Want to know how to say “hello” in French or Japanese? Just let me know. 

But here’s the fun part – we can have laid-back conversations like friends do. Share your stories, toss out jokes, or seek advice – I’m all ears for whatever you’re up to.

And guess what? I’m not just sitting around; I’m always learning, so our chats will just keep getting more exciting and helpful. So don’t hesitate to ask me anything; I’m here to make our conversations awesome!

SD: What are some things that ChatGPT could be better at?

ChatGPT: I’ve got some nifty features, but there are a few spots where I might not be super sharp. Sometimes, if a question is puzzling or not explained well, my answer might miss the mark. Double-check important information with other trustworthy sources, as I might not have all the answers. When it comes to math, I can handle some questions, but I’m not exactly a math genius. Oh, and feelings? I don’t have those like humans, so emotions are a bit out of my league. My knowledge is up to speed until 2021, so I might not have the latest info. Also, I can’t physically move things around because I’m made up of lines of code. However, don’t worry! I’m here to lend a hand and share accurate information to the best of my abilities whenever you need it!

SD: What would you say to someone still waiting to ask ChatGPT a question?

ChatGPT: Hey there, don’t worry about being a tech wizard to give me a go. Just type in whatever’s on your mind, and I’ll do my best to understand and provide answers. Using me is a breeze and quite enjoyable! But use me thoughtfully while having our conversations. 

Give it a try, and let’s have a cool conversation together! I’m here to help and learn with you!

My Final Thoughts – After my chat with ChatGPT, I think of Artificial Intelligence as a box of amazing ideas and tricky puzzles. It can make our lives easier by automating certain tasks, transforming how cars move and how doctors care for patients. But at the same time, AI can make unfair decisions because of the information it learned from. We also worry about how it will affect privacy, fairness, and people’s jobs. But the good news is by working together, industries, policymakers, and all of us can mold AI into a tool that makes life better for everyone.