IMHO: ChatGPT light-hearted distraction, all-powerful tool, or cause for panic?

OPINION: You’ve heard all the hype about Chat GPT. You’ve probably read articles and social media posts discussing how powerful this AI chatbot is and how much of a game changer it will be. Others are enjoying it as a fun distraction – getting it to write long poems in the style of a pirate or pen passive aggressive resignation letters.

On the other end of the spectrum, ChatGPT has successfully completed – and even passed – exams towards an MBA or a US Medical Licence - getting ethics and plagiarist experts tied up in knots.

The attraction of ChatGPT is that it can answer questions or complete complex tasks within seconds and sound eerily like an intelligent human response.

But, like it or loathe it, every technology has its limitations. We don’t believe that ChatGPT is as powerful as it’s currently touted to be.

Here’s eight reasons why:

1. ChatGPT is only as good as the questions you ask it. Humans have the capacity to hear the question underneath the question, while ChatGPT can only answer what is asked. Humans also have the potential to read non-verbal cues, which is essential in strategic decision making.
2. Just because ChatGPT can do something does not mean it should. While it is an excellent tool for brainstorming potential solutions, it cannot consider whether something is a good idea for your unique situation. Other factors such as budgets, timeframes, context, risk appetite, and resources need to be considered.
3. ChatGPT cannot do the work for you or keep you accountable. It is a starting point, but not an excuse to drop the ball. Humans can also change their mind and course correct, which is a vital skill in today’s world.
4. ChatGPT can write essays or describe art, but its responses lack finesse and the human touch. It can automate some tasks, but it cannot replace humans. ChatGPT is designed to work alongside human writers to help them with their creative process.
5. Innovation and inspiration often happen by accident in the in-between places. ChatGPT cannot daydream, have a long shower, or take itself paddle boarding. These repetitive activities allow our prefrontal cortex to slacken the reins, so we gain a dopamine hit and give our brain a creative shot at forging new connections.
6. Answers appear objective but are often biased. ChatGPT can still spread misinformation and embed existing biases because of the way it gathers and privileges information.
7. ChatGPT is not infallible. In December 2022, some users managed to bypass ChatGPT’s safety checks to give them instructions on how to produce a Molotov cocktail. ChatGPT is diplomatic and gives a disclaimer, advising users to be cautious in how they interpret and use the information generated.
8. ChatGPT is not a replacement for human intelligence. It lacks emotional intelligence, and it does not have a moral compass or the ability to empathise. It is just a tool that can help improve processes and reduce workloads.

So while ChatGPT is a useful tool, it is not as powerful as it is currently touted to be. Its limitations are significant, and it cannot replace human creativity and critical thinking. Therefore, it is essential to use ChatGPT as a starting point and work alongside it to achieve the best results, but be wary of what is produced. As for how we should react to it: Robyn Kamira summarises it best when she says ChatGPT is a cause for pivot, not panic.

About the author

Anthony McMahon MInstD is an advisor with Target State, a local firm specialising in guidance and support on digital transformation and technological risk mitigation.

The views expressed in this article do not reflect the position of the IoD unless explicitly stated.

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