What is ChatGPT?

ChatGPT could be the next revolution in internet search response with the power to disrupt current search engine methods.

This revolutionary technology has been making quite a buzz in the IT industry. ChatGPT debuted publicly on November 30, 2022, as an open-sourced form of artificial intelligence (AI) technology that answers questions, even complex ones, conversationally.

This next-gen chatbot was trained to learn the nuances of how humans ask questions and their patterns of word choice.

What is ChatGPT?

ChatGPT is a conversational search assistant developed by OpenAI and was launched as a prototype for free. Anyone willing to register on the OpenAI website with their email address could access the chatbot, although it is expected that this may change in the future. Within the first five days after public launch, over a million users have registered to use ChatGPT.

Microsoft is a partner and investor in OpenAI. Jointly, the two companies previously developed the widely-popular Azure AI Platform.

ChatGPT is a large language model (LLM) chatbot. These types of chatbots have been trained with huge amounts of data to predict the next word in a sentence that a user might type.

In addition, ChatGPT was trained using Reinforcement Learning with Human Feedback (RLHF). This helps the chatbot use human feedback to learn how to follow directions and give responses in a manner that mimics human conversation. Many users have reported that its responses can appear surprisingly human.

ChatGPT was trained to follow instructions, both simple and complex, and not only can it answer questions, but it can also follow along with a complete conversation and answer related follow-up questions.

Users have reported testing ChatGPT for a variety of projects, including writing essays, social media posts, poems, songs and computer code.

How Does it Work?

Ask a question and ChatGPT will model a response that mimics a natural conversation with a human. However, the more details that are given in the question, will assist the chatbot to generate a more appropriate answer.

According to OpenAI’s website, “The dialogue format makes it possible for ChatGPT to answer follow-up questions, admit it’s mistakes, challenge incorrect premises, and reject inappropriate requests.”

You can even ask ChatGPT to explain the answer to your question in a particular style, such as:

• What is cybersecurity? Explain like I’m 6 years old.
• Explain what hyperconverged infrastructure is but do it like a Shakespearian actor.
• Write a Twitter post about mobile security best practices for business owners.
• Give me some party theme ideas for an employee appreciation event.
• Write a romantic song in the style of 1980s rock ballads. (Hey, your valentine might be impressed!)

However, initial users have found that ChatGPT’s answers are not always correct. In fact, some have been extremely mis-informational, biased, incorrect or nonsensical, but written in a way that makes the answer look plausible.

While ChatGPT was trained to provide helpful, truthful and harmless answers, some users testing this new technology have found ways to trick the chatbot into providing toxic or harmful answers. OpenAI asked to receive feedback about incorrect answers and their volunteer moderator team was flooded with responses.

ChatGPT is based on Generative Pretrained Transformer version 3.5 (GPT-3.5) and has a knowledge base that ends in 2021. A more advanced version, GPT-4 is in development, but a release date has not yet been set.

Will Large Language Models Replace Current Search Engine Methods?

LLMs, such as ChatGPT, could soon power new apps, virtual assistants and alter the world of internet search engines as we know it.

Industry experts have reported that Microsoft is eyeing the possibility of leveraging the technology behind ChatGPT to update its Bing search engine. If this happens, it might give Bing a competitive edge against Google.

How Could ChatGPT Help my Business?

While this technology is still in its incubation phase, it’s definitely evolving and always a good idea to stay on the lookout for emerging trends. With Microsoft’s financial investment in ChatGPT’s parent company, OpenAI, they may be one of the first to promote this technology through new products and apps.

RELATED: What is a vCIO, And Is One Right for Your Business?

Keeping your business in tune with the rapid changes in the IT world can be tough. That’s why it’s important to enlist the help of a skilled technology management provider, like Elevity.

In fact, we have our own team that continually evaluates emerging technology solutions. Contact us to learn more about Managed IT services and how Elevity can provide the strategy, security, solutions and support your business needs to be successful.

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