If you asked anyone in the 1950s what revolutionary inventions there would be in 2023, they would tell you flying cars, colonies on Mars and robots running the world. Unfortunately, we are three months into 2023 and cars cannot fly, there are no colonies on Mars and robots don’t even run McDonalds. What we do have though is ChatGPT. 

To gain a better understanding of this revolutionary invention, I recently chatted with ChatGPT itself. Below is an excerpt from our conversation.  

Mischa: What is ChatGPT?

ChatGPT: ChatGPT is a large language model developed by OpenAI that uses deep learning to understand and generate human-like language. 

Mischa: Why was ChatGPT created? 

ChatGPT: ChatGPT was created to provide a conversational interface for people to interact with artificial intelligence (AI) in a natural way.

Mischa: What are the benefits for students to use ChatGPT? 

ChatGPT: ChatGPT can provide students with access to vast amounts of information on a variety of topics, offer personalized learning experiences, assist in homework and exam preparation and help improve their language skills by engaging in natural language conversations.

Mischa: Is using ChatGPT considered plagiarism?

ChatGPT: No, using ChatGPT is not plagiarism as long as the responses generated are used as a reference or starting point for original work and not copied directly.

Mischa: If using ChatGPT isn’t plagiarism, then is it cheating?

ChatGPT: It depends on how you use it. If you use ChatGPT to generate ideas or gather information, then it is not cheating. However, if you use ChatGPT to write your entire essay for you without proper citation or attribution, that would be considered plagiarism and academic dishonesty. 

Mischa: Are there tools to detect if someone uses ChatGPT?
ChatGPT: There are no specific tools to detect the usage of ChatGPT, as it is a language model designed to assist and generate responses. However, plagiarism detection software may be able to identify text that has been copied directly from ChatGPT, just as it would for any other source of text.

Mischa: If someone uses ChatGPT, does ChatGPT need to be listed as a source? 

ChatGPT: If someone uses ChatGPT to obtain information for a research paper or other formal writing, it’s recommended to check with the instructor or the relevant style guide for specific citation requirements. However, in general, if ChatGPT is used as a source for information or ideas that are incorporated into the final work, it should be cited as a source just like any other reference. 

Mischa: Can ChatGPT write me a college application essay about volunteering at a soup kitchen in 50 words or less?
ChatGPT: Volunteering at a soup kitchen has been a humbling experience that has taught me the importance of giving back to my community. By working alongside others to provide nourishing meals to those in need, I’ve gained a deeper appreciation for the power of empathy and kindness. I am eager to continue serving others in college and beyond.

Mischa: Has ChatGPT ever provided inaccurate information?
ChatGPT: As with any artificial intelligence system, ChatGPT is not perfect and may provide inaccurate information or responses at times. However, OpenAI continuously trains and updates the model to improve its accuracy and reliability.

Mischa: Thank you, ChatGPT.

Although ChatGPT is a revolutionary invention, ChatGPT often provides generic or inaccurate information. Always double-check the information provided by ChatGPT and, most importantly, remember to use ChatGPT for inspiration, not as your sole source of information.