We are living in a very exciting time with the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and chatbots.
If AI has been around for many years, what happened to suddenly catapult the chatbot category into outer space?
ChatGPT Was Born
ChatGPT is what happened. At the end of November 2022, OpenAI launched its chatbot, ChatGPT, as a conversational research and content tool that the everyday consumer could use. Other than the need to register for the waitlist, most human beings could type a query and have ChatGPT provide an answer in a full, conversational, seemingly comprehensive manner.
We didn’t have to know how to code, be employed in the IT department, be trained as a developer, or be a paying customer of an existing AI tool to type a query and receive an answer within seconds. This is no-code development at its finest.
The barriers to entry were virtually nonexistent, which is the key to mass acceptance, usage, adoption, and innovation.
Many Different Schools of Thought About The Use of AI Chatbots
There are many who are skeptical, or who suggest we exercise caution when using the chatbot AI output that answers the “prompts” we give these chatbots. I have also written about plagiarism and other IP issues with AI chatbots, including the need to exercise caution.
There are others who say that is nonsense, and that those who are so afraid that they hold back are going to miss the boat, are going to be left behind, and are going to be sorry because others will advance.
All Is Not Rosy
As with any new product or service that is introduced, there will be challenges. At Google’s recent launch event when they announced the limited Beta of its chatbot, Bard, the output showed incorrect information.
This happened for all the world to see at what should have been a very exciting time for Google. I’m sure it is still very exciting for them, but it also serves as a wake-up call about the accuracy of these new tools that are being rushed out to the marketplace to keep up with competitors and trends.
The Verge summarized the Google Bard error:
“On Monday, Google announced its AI chatbot Bard — a rival to OpenAI’s ChatGPT that’s due to become ‘more widely available to the public in the coming weeks.’ But the bot isn’t off to a great start, with experts noting that Bard made a factual error in its very first demo.
A GIF shared by Google shows Bard answering the question: ‘What new discoveries from the James Webb Space Telescope can I tell my 9 year old about?’ Bard offers three bullet points in return, including one that states that the telescope ‘took the very first pictures of a planet outside of our own solar system.'”
The Verge goes on to say:
“However, a number of astronomers on Twitter pointed out that this is incorrect and that the first image of an exoplanet was taken in 2004 — as stated here on NASA’s website.
‘Not to be a ~well, actually~ jerk, and I’m sure Bard will be impressive, but for the record: JWST did not take ‘the very first image of a planet outside our solar system,’ tweeted astrophysicist Grant Tremblay.”
Then Came Microsoft’s AI Chatbot, Which Is Fueled By ChatGPT
Soon after, Microsoft announced its limited Beta of its chatbot, which will incorporate ChatGPT data alongside its traditional Bing organic search results. It wasn’t long before I began to read several stories of very odd, incorrect, and even inflammatory output when searches were conducted. BingGPT even released its own secret, internal code name, Sydney, to one user.
No, all is not rosy, but it’s early.
Are You A Luddite?
Don’t be shamed into thinking you are a luddite because you are being cautious.
You can be two things at the same time. You can be innovative, educated, brave, a student, and a tester, and you can also be a realist who knows there are sharp turns and curves that also have to be carefully maneuvered.
With AI, There Is A Happy Medium
As I have posted before, I think this introduction of AI chatbots is different and will catch on. We will see it evolve quickly, looking and sounding more like its users than we can fathom right now.
Will AI Replace You?
Maybe. Maybe not. Maybe it will just release you to spend time on more revenue generating and client service issues. That would be a gift for you and for your clients, wouldn’t it?
My Recommendation
Be both.
Pay attention. Learn from others who are measured, early adopters.
Jump in, observe, test, try to break things, have fun with it, and imagine how it can make your job more efficient and innovative.
Also:
Don’t feed it garbage. Remember, it is still learning. Be cautious about using its output as the be-all and end-all because mistakes are being made, ChatGPT’s Internet data is currently only through 2021, and the tools are still learning how to act like grown-ups.
Stay tuned & stay alert.
