ChatGPT: Abilities, Limitations and Applications
Tags: gpt3, ai, machinelearning, openai
Published: 2022-12-14 03:01:48

## Introduction

Me: What are you?

ChatGPT: I am simply a collection of algorithms and data, designed to generate helpful and informative responses based on the input that I receive.

> Definition of ChatGPT according to ChatGPT

ChatGPT is the latest model trained by OpenAI based on the GPT 3.5 architecture, it was trained using a process called Reinforced Learning, the model has demonstrated human-like behavior to an extent that has never been seen on any Artificial Intelligent Program.

ChatGPT has numerous capabilities, limitations, and applications, some of which are going to be discussed in this article. You can access the chatbot on the official OpenAI [website](https://chat.openai.com/chat).

## A little background info

[OpenAI](https://openai.com), the developer of ChatGPT, is a company founded by a group of researchers and entrepreneurs including Sam Altman and Elon Musk, intending to advance the domain of Artificial intelligence in the world. OpenAI provides many types of AI tools, ranging from text generation (ChatGPT) to image generation ([DALL-E 2](https://openai.com/dall-e-2)).

ChatGPT was released to the public on the 30th of November 2022 to get feedback to better improve the model, less than a week after its release, the chatbot crossed a million users worldwide, it garnered attention due to its ease of use, detailed responses, and historical knowledge.

## What is ChatGPT capable of doing?

ChatGPT is famous for its ability to produce human-like responses and follow the flow of a conversation, it also provides a feature-rich interface that distinguishes it from its predecessors. Some of these features include the ability to:

- ### Answer follow-up questions

    Unlike previous models, which treat each query as a singular entity, ChatGPT can pick up references from previous conversations and use them to answer questions.

    > If you want it to treat a response as a new query, then click the `reset thread` button, which is located in the top left corner of the page.

- ### Generate detailed responses

    When a query is given, ChatGPT replies with information that includes not only the requested information but also justifications for the outcome, along with any applicable examples.

- ### Recognize errors in input data

    If there are any grammar errors in your query, ChatGPT tries to correct those errors and provide a response based on the correct version of your query, this makes it compatible with people who are not familiar with the English language.

- ### Roleplay

    As a Large Language Model, ChatGPT has access to a wide range of topics and conversations, this gives it the ability to simulate conversations in different styles, and even roles that do not exist.

- ### Write a variety of content

    The data used to train the model contains a vast amount of data containing diversified content ranging from books, songs, and poems to code, articles, and websites. This allows the bot to generate text in a variety of styles and on many different topics.

- ### Generate or analyze code

    The training data of ChatGPT also contains some code, this gives the ability to write code that can perform simple functions such as building simple applications or solving easy LeetCode problems. It can also analyze simple code and explain how it works.

- ### Filter inappropriate queries (Moderation API)

    ChatGPT can filter responses that might be offensive, discriminatory, or inappropriate, this prevents it from giving out responses to inappropriate queries.

## What are its limitations?
The current model still has several shortcomings that have not yet been taken into consideration, some of which might be fixed in subsequent versions.

Some of these limitations include:

- ### Tendedency to produce incorrect responses

    The algorithm for generating responses is not flawless, so there exists the possibility that ChatGPT will produce incorrect responses, and because it is made to make its responses convincing, it would strongly support such false claims, this could cause it to misinform certain people who are not well versed in the particular subject matter.

- ### Unupdated Knowledge base

    The data used to train ChatGPT only contains knowledge on or before 2021, this may cause it to respond using information that is no longer accurate, or make it unable to answer questions based on constantly changing information.

- ###  Not connected to the internet

    ChatGPT does not have access to the internet or possess information that may not be contained in its training dataset, this may cause it not to know things specific to an area or group of people. Because even as extensive as the knowledge it has is, it is not as unlimited as the internet.

- ### Uses assumption to provide responses

    When asked an ambiguous question, rather than asking for clarification, ChatGPT assumes what the user needs, this may be useful in the case that the user is not sure of what they need, but most times it leads to ChatGPT producing incorrect responses or further confusing the user.

- ### Algorithmic bias

The data used to train ChatGPT may be biased, which is speculation based on a portion of the general population. As a result, some stereotypical information may be included in its response, even though the assumptions made about the CEO of a company or the intelligence of men versus women are not entirely accurate.

- ### Strict moderation

    ChatGPT responses are passed true a moderation API to filter out any content that it perceives as potentially inappropriate or offensive, (this moderation may be a little overkill REPHRASE), which causes it to refuse to answer questions that it originally would have answered.

- ### Gullibility

    ChatGPT is only slightly artificially intelligent, this makes tricking it into giving inappropriate answers very easy. Moderation can be bypassed by simply rewording your questions.

Although there is still potential for advancement and we might see future models with fewer limits and greater capabilities, these limitations are expected given that the model is still under development and the subject of artificial intelligence is quite sophisticated.

## Uses of ChatGPT

ChatGPT was released to the public for testing, evaluation, and feedback, there is no cost needed to use the chatbot, all you need to do is signup using a valid email, although the CEO of OpenAI, Sam Altman, mentioned in a tweet that there are plans to make it (REWORD premium), as "computational costs are eye-watering".

Access to the ChatGPT API is expected to the available next year (2023), with this developers easily integrate the chatbot into their apps and  software, but until API access is available, below are some of the things you could do with the free public version of the API:

- ### Alternative to google search

    Due to its highly detailed responses, ChatGPT can be used as an alternative to google when it comes to providing answers to popular questions, or knowledge on simple historical matters, but it fails in the field of constantly updated information and events that take place after 2021.

- ### Assist with Assignments

    ChatGPT is capable of assisting at various levels of academics, for instance, it can write a college essay or even a university-level research paper, it is also capable of solving simple math problems ranging from simple addition to slightly complex calculus questions.

    > Just make sure not to overuse it :)

- ### Conduct research

    Due to its large knowledge base, ChatGPT can be used to research topics ranging from historical events or scientific theories to business or economic analysis, this is only useful for an overview of the topic and you might still need to consult the internet for an in-depth search.

- ### Generate content

    ChatGPT can be used to create content like articles, essays, poems, lyrics, and even stories, it can also write articles in the form of historical writers and artists, or combine them to create a unique type of content.

- ### Explain complex concepts

 ChatGPT can communicate complex ideas in a way that even laypeople who are not experts in the particular topic can grasp, as well as in terminology that the user is familiar with.

- ### Practice debates

    ChatGPT is capable of engaging in debates so you can use it to practice your arguing skills, you can also use it to generate a counter to an argument or to generate points to support an argument

- ### Write and debug code

    ChatGPT can be used to write and debug simple code in common programming languages while providing an explanation of how the code works, it is however not capable of generating complex code to carry out specific functions. It can also be used in debugging, by suggesting some methods to rectify a bug.

## Feedback

ChatGPT uses a method called RLHF, Reinforced Learning from Human Feedback, which means that the model uses feedback from users to improve and develop new features.

Just as feedback gotten from previous models was used to improve the current version, ChatGPT was released to the public as a means of getting feedback to improve future models.

OpenAI's main focus is on feedback that would help to identify, understand, and resolve possible problems such as harmful or inappropriate output. You can enter the official ChatGPT feedback contest for a chance to win up to $500 in API credits. Entries can be submitted via the feedback form that is linked in the ChatGPT interface.

## Conslusion

The field of Artificial Intelligence is still in its early stages and it has the potential to revolutionalize our world. The outstanding features observed in ChatGPT are proof that computers are capable of doing so much more than they are currently used for.

However, it is important to recognize that an AI model like ChatGPT is not without its limitations and challenges, for example, there exists the fear of AI taking over our jobs sometime soon, and this is concerning as ChatGPT produces frighteningly good results.

Looking on the bright side we can consider the fact that if ChatGPT could turn the average person into a professional, then it would achieve even more outstanding results in the hands of a professional.

With continuous research and development, we could hope to see Artificial Intelligent systems that will maximize these benefits while minimizing the potential drawbacks.

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