Whether in private or professional everyday life: Thanks to artificial intelligence, the US American text bot “ChatGPT” from OpenAI (almost) always knows how to help.
Hamburg – Most of you probably know this: In everyday life we deal with all sorts of questions. According to statistics, around 3.5 billion search queries are made on Google every day worldwide. Possible answers to these questions can also be obtained from the “ChatGPT” program since November 2022.
| type of software | chatbot |
| software developer | OpenAI |
| scope of application | Private and at work |
| Published on | November 2022 |
| Developer Headquarters | San Francisco (USA) |
ChatGPT is a prototype of a so-called chatbot, i.e. software that can conduct a conversation with the user based on artificial intelligence (AI). What is special about ChatGPT is that the program – unlike search engines such as Google, Yahoo and Co. – not only spits out answers to specific questions, but can also enter into a multi-level dialogue with the users; if desired. So far, however, only in writing.
ChatGPT: Human-level dialogues with the computer
“ChatGPT is optimized to have dialogues. Our goal is to make working with software based on artificial intelligence even more natural,” writes the developer OpenAI on his website about the free conversation tool. Within seconds, the computer delivers texts that can hardly be distinguished from those of a reasonably eloquent person; in terms of language style as well as spelling and grammar.
ChatGPT, Siri and Co.: Where are chatbots used?
Behind the ChatGPT software is a so-called chatbot; a program that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to have conversations in a natural, human language with users. Therefore, companies often use chatbots in their customer service to be able to give customers automated answers to frequently asked questions. The bots are also used in internal communication.
It is unlikely that the conversational robot will ask you about your well-being. And the phrase “natural dialogue” doesn’t mean that either. The program shines much more because the chatbot understands the context of a conversation. He “remembers” the course of the conversation and can therefore answer even briefly formulated follow-up questions. He can also correctly assign personal pronouns instead of names already mentioned.
Communication etiquette for ChatGPT: Only one topic per conversation window
The logic of the AI and thus the understanding of thematic causality only takes effect as long as you are in one and the same chat window. Unlike search engines, where queries are entered into a search bar, with ChatGPT you open a conversation window and ask your question.
An example of understanding the thematic causality of the chatbot:
User: When was Star Wars released?
ChatGPT: Star Wars was first released on May 25, 1977 in the United States.
User: Who directed?
ChatGPT: George Lucas directed Star Wars.
User: When was he born?
ChatGPT: George Lucas was born on May 14, 1944.
User: And where?
ChatGPT: George Lucas was born in Modesto, California, USA.
The rule of thumb is: one topic per chat window. Basically, a communication etiquette that has already proven itself for human dialogue. Anyone who moves fluently from pillar to post in a conversation and jumps wildly from topic to topic will also get little useful feedback from their natural interlocutor.
Silent servant: Unlike other voice assistants, ChatGPT is only available in written form
In principle, the OpenAI chatbot works like a personal assistant, which is known from the big players around Apple and Amazon. Except that their chatbots Siri (Apple) and Alexa (Amazon) are acoustic language assistants, while ChatGPT is limited to the written word. But OpenAI also offers AI in the image area. With DALL-E you can have images generated by an artificial intelligence that sometimes delivers amazing results.
The versatile chatbot “ChatGPT” from the software company OpenAI has been on the market since November 2021. (Illustration) © Koen van Weel/Imago
In order to be able to use the program, users must register and log in online on the ChatGPT homepage. Since this is US software, the language is initially set to English. However, the program is multilingual; the chatbot answers in German if the questions are asked in German. Tutorial videos, tips and tricks are available on YouTube or TikTok.
Whether it’s a fictional story, a cover letter or a recipe: ChatGPT isn’t at a loss for an answer
The scope of ChatGPT is diverse. The bot not only helps you to find the name of an actor, book title, etc., but also fulfills other requests; both in private and professional life. On request, the program can generate application letters, answer e-mails or create entire essays, such as synopses. The program can write computer codes as well as represent complex facts from mathematics or science in a simplified way.
Uses of ChatGPT:
- Database for trivial or scientific searches.
- Writing assistant: The software formulates error-free e-mails, applications or entire essays.
- Creative AI: The chatbot thinks up stories, scripts or lyrics.
- create computer code.
- Translation tool: Texts can be translated or rewritten.
- Everyday inspiration: Cooking recipes or ideas for (age-related) themed parties are available on request.
- Entertainer and “comedian”: The chatbot also knows a number of jokes. However, his sense of humor is questionable.
If you need tips in everyday life, you can also contact ChatGPT. No idea what to cook? The chatbot promptly comes up with several suggestions and, if desired, also provides the recipe and the shopping list for it. Reading a new bedtime story to the son or daughter? No problem. The AI comes up with a few keywords.
Pitfalls of technology: Even artificial intelligence like ChatGPT makes mistakes
The wealth of knowledge of the program feeds on extensive data input from internet forums, news articles, social media, books and many more. This is a learning process: In order to improve ChatGPT’s text generation, the software is constantly being expanded with data and trained through human feedback.
| Extensive data basis | Occasional misinformation |
| Formulates error-free texts | Occasional overload |
| Human language duct and style | Written text only, not spoken text |
| Originality and creativity in application | The data basis only extends to 2021 |
| Free, open use | Sometimes prejudiced |
| Multilingual | Humor? Oh well… |
However, the tool also has its pitfalls: the developers OpenAI themselves warn on their software homepage that ChatGPT “occasionally generates incorrect information”. The chatbot creates application letters, for example, based on assumptions that result from the job advertisement. If you want to apply as an IT specialist, the AI requires that you have studied computer science.
The latest data and information may not yet be available. And if you want to hear jokes, you can expect similar thigh slaps like those from Siri or Alexa.
