In the rapidly changing realm of artificial intelligence, ChatGPT emerges as a transformative advancement that has captured significant global interest. Its remarkable capabilities, ongoing developments, and the fervent discussions about its ethical effects ensure that ChatGPT remains a focal point in the tech conversation.
What is ChatGPT?
ChatGPT, which stands for Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer, is an AI chatbot capable of responding to questions phrased in natural language. Unlike traditional voice assistants such as Siri or Google Assistant, ChatGPT utilizes a large language model (LLM) that has been trained on vast amounts of information from the internet. This approach enables it to craft entirely new replies rather than merely relaying pre-existing responses. The current iteration is based on the GPT-4 model, which was refined using diverse written content, such as websites, books, social media, and news articles, employing techniques like supervised learning and RLHF (Reinforcement Learning From Human Feedback).
When was ChatGPT released?
OpenAI introduced ChatGPT in November 2022, initially running on the GPT-3.5 model. Since then, it has seen numerous incremental improvements, culminating in the current deployment using the GPT-4 model family. The anticipated GPT-5 is expected to be released soon. GPT-3 made its debut in 2020, followed by GPT-2 a year earlier, though neither was part of the public-facing ChatGPT launch. Upon its introduction, ChatGPT's user base skyrocketed, accumulating over 100 million users within just two months—this remarkable growth temporarily peaked until it was surpassed by the Twitter alternative, Threads. Although ChatGPT experienced a brief decline in popularity in June 2023, losing approximately 10% of global users, it has since resumed its impressive growth trajectory.
How to use ChatGPT
To start using ChatGPT, visit chatgpt.com. If you want to keep a record of your previous conversations, create a free account, although you can also engage with the system anonymously if you prefer. Users can link their ChatGPT account to their Google, Microsoft, or Apple accounts. Upon signing up, you'll encounter basic guidelines regarding possible data inaccuracies, information collection, and feedback submission. Using ChatGPT is user-friendly: just enter your prompt and await a response. Feel free to explore various prompts and refine your queries for better results. The system maintains context from previous messages, enabling a more fluid conversation rather than beginning anew each time.
For instance, asking, “Explain how the solar system formed” will yield a richer response than simply inquiring, “How was the solar system made?” You can enhance your request further by specifying the desired tone, such as "Explain how the solar system was formed as if you were a middle school teacher."
You can also request specific formats, like essays with a designated number of paragraphs or references to particular Wikipedia pages. ChatGPT can assist with numerous daily tasks, from drafting emails to planning date nights or even composing a best man's speech. As long as your request adheres to community guidelines, the model is keen to assist.
Since its debut, users have been eager to explore ChatGPT's full range of capabilities. Mastering effective prompting, akin to learning how to navigate traditional search engines, requires practice. As a starting point, consider asking for a template blog post or code snippets if you're a developer.
With an update on August 10, custom instructions were introduced, allowing users to tailor how ChatGPT responds to their queries. However, there are limitations—OpenAI has implemented safeguards to promote safe and ethical interactions, meaning that hateful or discriminatory questions are not permitted.
While ChatGPT has improved since its launch, it’s important to approach its outputs with a critical mindset. Early versions were known for "hallucinations," producing inaccurate information confidently, though this issue has lessened over time. It's crucial to validate the information provided by ChatGPT.
Because of the training methods employed for models like GPT-3.5, GPT-4, GPT-4o, and the forthcoming GPT-5, ChatGPT may require internet searches to answer questions about recent events, as its training only encompasses data available up to certain dates. For instance, GPT-3.5 and 3.5 Turbo have a knowledge cutoff of September 2021, while GPT-4 and its variants have a cutoff in December 2023, and GPT-4o and GPT-4o mini are capped at October 2023.
ChatGPT retains context from previous sessions, enabling users to revisit prior discussions easily. Logged-in users can view their chat history from the navigation sidebar and manage these chats by renaming or deleting them. Users can also follow up on earlier interactions directly within the chat.
In addition to its text capabilities, subscribers of ChatGPT Plus at $20/month or ChatGPT Teams at $30/user/month gain access to the DALL-E image generator, which creates stunning images from text prompts. However, image generation is not available for free-tier users. Regardless of subscription status, all users can engage via image or voice inputs.
How to use the ChatGPT apps on iPhone, Android, and Mac
ChatGPT is accessible through the OpenAI website and is available as a mobile app for both iOS and Android. Upon its iOS launch, it quickly gained traction, surpassing half a million downloads within a week. The app mirrors the web experience closely, making it easy for users familiar with the desktop version to navigate. A clean interface allows users to communicate with GPT seamlessly, with settings and chat history organized in a convenient menu.
Some devices, like the Infinix Folax Android phone, even incorporate ChatGPT directly, replacing traditional smart assistants. Additionally, a native Mac application has been released, enhancing AI capabilities on Macs without needing to wait for upcoming software updates.
Is ChatGPT free to use?
Yes, ChatGPT is available for free, albeit with certain limitations. Free-tier users can access GPT-4o and GPT-4o mini, but the number of queries to the larger model is restricted. Subscribing to a paid plan significantly increases this limit and provides access to additional tools like DALL-E and custom GPTs.
Running ChatGPT is not without expense for OpenAI. Estimates suggest that operating costs hover around $3 million monthly, potentially reaching up to $700,000 daily. Beyond server costs, there are ongoing concerns regarding measures to prevent the model from generating inappropriate content.
What is Project Strawberry?
Project Strawberry was the codename for OpenAI's recent suite of "reasoning" models designed to emulate human logical thinking. Launched publicly in September 2024, the models were renamed "o1" and "o1-mini." According to OpenAI’s research lead, this model utilizes a unique optimization algorithm coupled with reinforcement learning, resulting in more precise responses compared to earlier models. Currently, access to o1 and o1-mini is reserved for premium subscribers, though plans to make o1-mini available to free-tier users exist, albeit without a specified timeline.
Who created ChatGPT?
OpenAI, an AI research laboratory headquartered in San Francisco, developed ChatGPT and introduced the initial LLM version in 2018. Originally founded as a non-profit to collaborate with various institutions and researchers, it was backed by notable figures such as Peter Thiel and Elon Musk, who eventually departed to establish a competing firm, xAI. OpenAI transitioned to a for-profit model in 2019, with Sam Altman as the current CEO. Its operations rely on Microsoft’s Azure infrastructure and Nvidia's GPUs, enhanced by substantial investments from Microsoft since 2019.
ChatGPT's numerous controversies
Despite its remarkable functionality, ChatGPT is not infallible. Known for occasionally producing incorrect information or "hallucinations," the AI has raised concerns. For example, it once mistakenly identified the prime minister of Japan. Widespread apprehension about the implications of such human-like AI has prompted thousands of tech leaders and public figures to petition for a slowdown in development. Furthermore, ChatGPT faced a temporary ban in Italy over privacy concerns, a decision later reversed. Presently, the FTC is investigating OpenAI's methods of handling consumer data.
Concerns also extend to the workplace; companies like JPMorgan Chase and Apple have limited or restricted employee usage of ChatGPT, especially for generating emails. The tech world is quite divided on generative AI's potential to displace jobs, with Goldman Sachs estimating that AI could impact up to 300 million jobs globally. The ongoing Hollywood writers' strike further highlights these concerns, emphasizing the need to protect screenwriter roles from AI-produced scripts.
In 2023, a surge in site activity led many users to receive "at capacity" notifications when trying to access ChatGPT, contributing to the rise of unofficial paid applications that deceived users into paying for free services. To manage demand, OpenAI has occasionally restricted access during peak usage, resulting in temporary website downtimes for maintenance.
The ethical implications of using ChatGPT for critical functions have drawn criticism as well; misuse examples include attempts to fabricate malware and troubling scenarios like generating sensitive emails related to public emergencies.
Privacy issues persist as well. Current GDPR complaints assert that ChatGPT infringes on user privacy by harvesting data without consent to enhance its training. Reports have even emerged of ChatGPT generating Windows 11 product keys.
Can ChatGPT’s outputs be detected by anti-plagiarism systems?
Educators and developers are examining methods to address potential plagiarism concerns stemming from ChatGPT usage. While some hope the AI could contribute positively to educational practices, plagiarism remains a pressing issue. OpenAI launched an updated plagiarism detection tool in January 2023, along with an “AI text classifier,” which aims to combat misuse but is still viewed as imperfect. Some third-party developers are also creating their tools, such as Plagiarism Checker.
What are ChatGPT plugins?
The ChatGPT plugin feature is no longer available. Initially, its introduction generated excitement in the developer community, akin to the initial launch of the iOS App Store, as it allowed for the development of plugins that provided extensive internet access and API connectivity. However, in 2024, OpenAI discontinued this feature in favor of GPT applets.
Is there a ChatGPT API?
Yes, ChatGPT offers an API for developers looking to integrate its natural language capabilities directly into their applications and websites. This technology has been employed in various instances, including helping users with online PC building or planning travel itineraries. OpenAI has recently made the ChatGPT API generally available, leading to numerous applications leveraging its capabilities, such as Discord's Clyde chatbot and Wix's website builder.
What’s the future of ChatGPT?
As the tech world remains captivated by ChatGPT, its integration into diverse applications continues to evolve. The anticipated GPT-5 is suggested to be a significant upgrade, with speculation about its release occurring around December 2024, potentially ushering in advancements toward AGI (artificial general intelligence). OpenAI’s CTO has equated GPT-5's intelligence to that of a doctoral researcher, suggesting improvements in memory and reasoning capabilities. However, timelines for AGI remain uncertain, with predictions suggesting it might emerge within the next few years.
Prominent AI figures, such as Shane Legg from Google DeepMind, speculate a 50% chance of AGI being developed by 2028. In contrast, other leaders, like Anthropic's Dario Amodei, foresee "human-level" AI emerging within two to three years. OpenAI's CEO, Sam Altman, suggests AGI could be a reality in the next five years.
ChatGPT alternatives worth trying
While ChatGPT leads as the most favored AI chatbot, competition is growing. Microsoft’s Copilot provides a notable challenge, even as it employs the same GPT-4 model that powers ChatGPT. Google’s Gemini AI (formerly Google Bard) emerges as another competitor.
Anthropic’s Claude family of AI has recently taken the spotlight, with its Claude 3.5 Sonnet model outperforming both GPT-4o and Gemini Pro 1.5 in various benchmarks as of June 2024.
Meta, the parent company of Facebook, has also developed an AI chatbot built on its Llama large language models, unveiling Meta AI in April 2024. This assistant is available in multiple countries and operates across Meta’s applications, including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger.
Moreover, Apple recently unveiled its own AI initiative, Apple Intelligence, at WWDC 2024. This system incorporates advanced language and diffusion models tailored to improve daily user tasks across its devices.
Are ChatGPT chats private?
The privacy of ChatGPT conversations can be nuanced. While individual queries are utilized by OpenAI to further refine its models, the organization advises users against sharing personal information within the chat. Notably, users can find past conversations in the sidebar unless they delete them. When deleted, the chats do not vanish entirely—they are simply hidden rather than forgotten.
Fortunately, OpenAI has introduced a setting to "hide" chats, ensuring that such interactions won’t contribute to training data. Users can also opt out of allowing OpenAI to utilize their data for model training.
Will ChatGPT replace Google Search?
Instead of replacing traditional search engines, generative AI functions are increasingly being integrated into search platforms. Microsoft has incorporated Copilot into Bing, while Google has implemented AI Overviews as an alternative to standard search results.
Is Copilot the same as ChatGPT?
While both Copilot and ChatGPT utilize similar capabilities, they are distinct products. Although Copilot runs on the GPT-4 model that powers ChatGPT, it has been specifically tailored by Microsoft for its platform.
Can you write essays with ChatGPT?
ChatGPT has stirred controversy regarding its potential impact on education, showcasing its ability to assist students with essay writing and even enabling some to attain good grades.
Can ChatGPT write and debug code?
Definitely. ChatGPT excels in generating and troubleshooting code. However, as with all AI outputs, thorough review and validation of its suggestions are recommended.
What is the ChatGPT character limit?
ChatGPT does not impose a rigid character limit. The context window size—essentially indicating how much text you can input—varies depending on the ChatGPT tier being utilized.
What is Auto-GPT?
Built on GPT-4, Auto-GPT represents the latest innovation in AI technology, emerging as an open-source Python application available widely to developers through GitHub.
Who owns the copyright to content created by ChatGPT?
The question of copyright remains complex and debated. While some critics argue that generative AI infringes upon the rights of original content creators, OpenAI maintains that users have full rights to distribute, sell, and monetize materials produced with ChatGPT or ChatGPT Plus. Ongoing discussions among lawmakers and legal scholars seek to clarify how existing copyright law interacts with AI-generated content, particularly since current statutes primarily protect human-created works.
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