Overview

Here we will provide a general overview of ChatGPT, diving into what it is and defining key terms. We will also analyze how it is able to function and provide answers. Wrapping it up, we provide guidelines to using ChatGPT responsibly and will talk through why ChatGPT is something we ought to consider--how it affects you and me.

Key Terms

ChatGPT is a an advanced artificial intelligence chatbot developed by OpenAI and based on the GPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformer) architecture. It is designed to interact, generate, and understand human-like language resulting in helpful conversations with its users.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) → the simulation of human intelligence in machines. These systems are capable of learning, reasoning, problem-solving, and language understanding. Artificial intelligence is seen in technologies like self-driving cars, voice assistants, and recommendation systems.

Large Language Model (LLM) → a type of AI trained on vast amounts of text data to understand and generate human-like language. LLMs can answer questions, translate languages, write stories, code, and essays and summarize complex texts.

How ChatGPT Works

Datasets

ChatGPT is pre-trained by massive datasets (the internet's collection of information), which stems from a wide range of text from books, websites, and other sources. It pulls from these datasets to respond to users' various questions.

These datasets are publicly available sources, and it does not have access to subscription-only websites or private datasets.

Reinforcement Learning

ChatGPT has been fine-tuned with reinforcement learning, where it has been refined to follow instructions, provide answers, and respond safely. Reinforcement learning is a machine-learning technique where the agent learns to make real-time decisions and adjusts its behavior accordingly.

Reinforcement learning is how computers learn through trial and error, much like humans or pets!

Conversational Memory

ChatGPT can remember previous conversations or sessions (if enabled) to provide a more personalized experience. This allows for continual conversing in sessions back and forth with ChatGPT.

Conversational memory is much like the text messaging app on your phone. You can revisit chat sessions with chatGPT, much like your text messages.

In Summary...

ChatGPT is a computer program that you can talk to, it's like a personal assistant! You can ask it questions, receive help with writing things, understand a concept better, or even just have a chat with it.

Guidelines For Using ChatGPT
Responsibly

Best Practices

1. Be specific! Ask clear questions to get useful answers.
2. Use thoughtfully! Leverage chatGPT as a support tool, not a replacement for critical thinking.
3. Stay ethical. Do not use AI for cheating, plagiarism, or spreading misinformation.

Limitations

1. May generate incorrect or outdated information.
2. ChatGPT does not “understand” like humans–it predicts likely text.
3. It can reflect biases present in its training data.

4. Information given should not be used for legal, medial, or sensitive decisions without expert input.

Privacy and Data Use

1. Don’t share personal, sensitive, or confidential information
2. Understand how your data may be used to improve the AI depending on platform settings.

Why use ChatGPT?

What can it do for me?

Utilizing chatGPT allows for greater efficiency and productivity in various tasks that we might need to get done. Due to its very nature of being customizable to the user's experience, we can tailor it exactly to our individual preferences.

ChatGPT can generate text, summarize large bodies of text, translate languages, customer support, brainstorm, and much more! ChatGPT as a resource allows us to gain access to information in a quick and easy fashion, it can improve our wellbeing--through offering information, companionship, and assistance--if we harness it correctly.