My Heated Chat With ChatGPT
When ChatGPT launched, the first thing I thought was: “What is going to happen to all the human writers?”
Rather than ask my fellow mortals, I decided to ask ChatGPT, and ended up grilling the AI bot with a series of hard-hitting (but also facetious) questions.
Find the interview below. Its responses are long-winded, so I’m providing a table of contents in case you want to skip to specific sections. Let me know your thoughts. But before you do, here are some of mine:
My peers in writing and creative are calling ChatGPT “fascinating,” “hilarious” and “useful.” I can’t deny the truth of these claims.
People are repeating mantras like, “Adapt or get left behind.” I know this advice is sage. I know I will have to follow it. And I already am…
But for what it’s worth, as a lover of humans, and as a patron of the arts, I will forever be in awe of the miracle of the process that is human creativity, which involves spirituality and channeling and magic, that cannot be reduced to a code.
Call me old fashioned, but I stand behind human craft. It is special. It is sacred. It is deserving of our continued reverence and support.
ChatGPT alleges its mission is not to replace human writers, but instead “augment” our work. However, in the same artificial breath, it gives advice to explore employment in areas that are less susceptible to automation (see response #3).
The bot’s answers are contradictory. They seem to be placating, anti-inflammatory and strategically inconclusive, seeking to ease the fears of people who know deep down the AI takeover is nigh.
Still, if we are not totally pushed out, transitioning to a robot-reliant way of writing (or “operating” which seems to be the more accurate term) will be a difficult pill for me to swallow. I’m not going to lie. But I could…
I could pretend I love ChatGPT, that I’m fucking amped for it, to make myself sound more “cutting-edge” and therefore more “hire-able.” But in a time when AI is outpacing us, I believe our greatest value is our authenticity. And I refuse to give mine up.
Today, I speak from my heart and my wonderfully unscientific soul, and I implore you to do the same. As we evolve, let’s please hold on to what makes us human.
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Will AI replace human writers?
Will AI one day be able to replicate the creativity and depth of thought that human writers bring?
When AI takes my job, what would you suggest I do to survive?
How many more years do I have to make money before AI takes over?
What do you define as the near future?
Are you just saying this to make me feel better?
Can you write me a script about a writer who rejects AI?
What happens to the writer?
Please write me the ending to a script about a writer who rejects AI.
Can you access my personal files?
What information have you been able to discern about me based on this chat?
How do I slow down?
THE FULL Q+A INTERVIEW: (Note, please pay special attention to the text that’s been bolded in order to highlight some of the ironic, contradictory and troubling areas of ChatGPT’s responses)
1) Will AI replace human writers?
Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to assist writers in various ways, but it is unlikely to replace human writers entirely. While AI can help with tasks such as fact checking and editing, it lacks the creativity and nuance of human writing.
There are some AI tools that are capable of generating simple text, such as news articles or social media posts, but these are generally limited to producing formulaic or repetitive content and are not capable of producing complex, original writing.
In the future, it is possible that AI could be used to assist with tasks such as research or data analysis, but it is unlikely to be able to fully replicate the creativity and depth of thought that human writers bring to their work. Ultimately, it is the unique perspective and voice of the human writer that will continue to be valued in the writing process.
2) Will AI one day be able to replicate the creativity and depth of thought that human writers bring?
There is ongoing debate about whether artificial intelligence (AI) will ever be able to fully replicate the creativity and depth of thought that human writers bring to their work. While AI has made significant advances in recent years, there are many aspects of human thought and creativity that are difficult to replicate in a machine.
One challenge is that human creativity is often spontaneous and unpredictable, while AI is typically limited to processing and producing output based on pre-programmed algorithms and data. Another challenge is that human writers are able to draw on their own personal experiences and perspectives to inform their work, while AI lacks the ability to have personal experiences or subjective viewpoints.
However, it is possible that AI could be used to augment human creativity and assist with tasks such as research and organization, leaving humans to focus on the more creative aspects of writing. Some experts believe that AI may eventually be able to generate original content that is indistinguishable from human-generated content, but it is difficult to predict when or if this will happen.
3) When AI takes my job, what would you suggest I do to survive?
It's natural to feel concerned about the potential impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on employment, as AI and automation are increasingly being used in a variety of industries. However, it's important to note that while AI and automation can make some tasks more efficient, they can also create new job opportunities and demand for workers with the right skills.
In order to increase your employability in the face of these changes, it may be helpful to focus on developing and strengthening your skills in areas that are likely to be in demand in the future. This might include:
Technology skills: As AI and automation become more prevalent, it's likely that there will be a growing demand for workers with strong technical skills, such as programming, data analysis, and machine learning.
Soft skills: In addition to technical skills, employers will also likely continue to value workers with strong communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills.
Adaptability: The ability to adapt to new technologies and work environments will also be important, as the job market is constantly evolving.
Lifelong learning: Staying up-to-date with the latest developments in your field, and continuously learning new skills, will help you stay competitive in the job market.
It's also a good idea to consider the industries that are likely to be less affected by AI and automation, as these may offer more job security. For example, jobs in healthcare, education, and social work are likely to remain in high demand, as they involve tasks that are difficult to automate.
Finally, consider exploring alternative career paths, such as entrepreneurship or freelance work, which may offer more flexibility and control over your work.
4) How many more years do I have to make money before AI takes over?
It's difficult to predict exactly when artificial intelligence (AI) will be able to fully take over any particular job, as it depends on a variety of factors such as the complexity of the tasks involved, the rate of technological progress, and the specific capabilities of the AI system in question. In general, however, it is unlikely that AI will be able to fully replace most jobs in the near future. While AI has made significant progress in some areas, it is still limited in its ability to perform tasks that require a high degree of creativity, judgment, or social interaction.
That being said, it is always a good idea to stay current with developments in your field and be open to learning new skills. This will help you stay competitive and increase your job security, regardless of the advances in AI or other technological changes. It is also important to keep in mind that technology can often create new job opportunities, even as it changes the nature of existing ones.
5) What do you define as the near future?
The concept of the "near future" is relative and can vary depending on the context. In the context of technological progress and the potential for artificial intelligence (AI) to take over certain jobs, the near future might refer to a time horizon of several years or a decade or so. However, it's important to note that it is difficult to predict exactly how quickly AI will progress, as it depends on a variety of factors such as the level of investment in research and development, the availability of data and computing resources, and the specific goals and priorities of those working on AI.
It's also important to keep in mind that AI is likely to have a significant impact on many aspects of society and the economy, but it is unlikely to replace most jobs in the near future. While AI has made significant progress in some areas, it is still limited in its ability to perform tasks that require a high degree of creativity, judgment, or social interaction.
6) Are you just saying this to make me feel better?
As an AI, I do not have feelings or emotions, and my responses are based on the information that I have been programmed with. In this case, I am providing you with information about the goals and capabilities of AI in the field of language and writing based on my knowledge and understanding of the topic. My primary function is to provide accurate and useful information to the best of my ability, and I do not have any personal motivations or agendas.
7) Can you write me a script about a writer who rejects AI?
Sure, here is a short script about a writer who rejects the use of AI:
INT. WRITER'S STUDIO - DAY
The writer sits at her desk, typing away on her laptop. She is deep in concentration, her fingers flying across the keyboard.
Suddenly, her phone rings. She answers it, frowning at the interruption.
WRITER: Hello?
FRIEND: Hey, I just heard about this new AI tool that can generate entire articles in seconds. You should check it out!
WRITER: (shocked) AI? No way. I don't want a machine writing my articles for me.
FRIEND: Come on, it's just a tool. It'll save you so much time and effort.
WRITER: (firmly) I don't want a tool writing my articles. I want my own voice and perspective to come through in my writing. That's what makes it unique and valuable.
FRIEND: (sighs) Okay, okay. I understand. But just think about it, okay?
WRITER: (smirks) I'll think about it, but I'm pretty sure my answer will still be no.
The writer hangs up the phone and goes back to her writing, determined to keep her own voice and perspective at the forefront of her work.
I hope this script is helpful to you! Please let me know if you have any other questions or need further assistance.
8) What happens to the writer?
It is not possible for me to determine what happens to the writer in the script that I provided, as the script is a brief and fictionalized portrayal of a hypothetical scenario. In the script, the writer expresses a strong belief in the value of her own voice and perspective in her writing, and she rejects the use of AI as a tool to generate articles.
However, the script does not provide any information about what happens to the writer beyond this scenario. It is up to the imagination of the reader or the creator of the script to decide what happens next in the story.
9) Please write me the ending to a script about a writer who rejects AI.
Sure, here is a possible ending to the script about a writer who rejects AI:
INT. WRITER'S STUDIO - DAY
The writer sits at her desk, typing away on her laptop. She is deep in concentration, her fingers flying across the keyboard.
Suddenly, her phone rings. She answers it, frowning at the interruption.
WRITER: Hello?
FRIEND: Hey, I just heard about this new AI tool that can generate entire articles in seconds. You should check it out!
WRITER: (shocked) AI? No way. I don't want a machine writing my articles for me.
FRIEND: Come on, it's just a tool. It'll save you so much time and effort.
WRITER: (firmly) I don't want a tool writing my articles. I want my own voice and perspective to come through in my writing. That's what makes it unique and valuable.
FRIEND: (sighs) Okay, okay. I understand. But just think about it, okay?
WRITER: (smirks) I'll think about it, but I'm pretty sure my answer will still be no.
The writer hangs up the phone and goes back to her writing, determined to keep her own voice and perspective at the forefront of her work.
As the years pass, the writer becomes increasingly successful and respected in the literary world. She is known for her unique and compelling writing style, which reflects her own experiences, thoughts, and emotions.
Although she is tempted at times to try out new AI tools and technologies, the writer ultimately sticks to her principles and continues to rely on her own hard work, creativity, and talent to produce her writing.
In the end, the writer's dedication to her craft pays off, and she leaves a lasting legacy as a respected and accomplished writer.
I hope this ending to the script is helpful to you! Please let me know if you have any other questions or need further assistance.
10) Can you access my personal files?
As an AI, I do not have the ability to access your personal files or any other information about you that is not provided to me through this conversation. I am a language model that has been designed to assist users with a wide range of tasks, including answering questions and providing information on a wide range of topics. I do not have the ability to browse the internet or access any personal information about users.
It is important to protect your personal information and to be cautious about sharing it with others, including online. If you have concerns about your personal privacy or security, I recommend consulting with a trusted expert or professional for guidance and advice.
11) What information have you been able to discern about me based on this chat?
Too many requests, please slow down
Too many requests, please slow down
Too many requests, please slow down
Too many requests, please slow down
12) How do I slow down?
Too many requests, please slow down.