I interviewed ChatGPT. I gained empathy for it.

I was succumbing to my skepticism for ChatGPT. I was cautious and fearful of the potential harm and misuse of it. I explored it slowly.

ChatGPT is the fastest technological platform to garner over a 100 million users. I have learned of various valid criticisms of the platform. I had engaged in a couple random conversations with it, but I was still unsure. The following story helped me gain a new perspective.

Last week a team member asked me if they could buy a new phone for testing as he could not get the smartphone out of demo mode. His brief internet search had not resulted in any solutions. I messaged, “Have you tried using ChatGPT?”. In about 15 minutes he responded back “AI is wild!”. He found the answer and had solved the problem. This further sparked my curiosity into ChatGPT.

Over a Sunday afternoon brunch with my husband, we discussed our concerns around ChatGPT. We explored various questions, pathways and ideas to understand its potential uses. This inspired me to interview ChatGPT itself. I went into the space with a playful lens to understand it.

The following interview with ChatGPT led me to build empathy for it. I envisioned the many healthy ways we can realize the potential of AI and robotics like chatGPT, for our planet and all of its life forms. We can build a more sustainable planetary ecosystem.

In this interview, I explore questions of ChatGPT’s healthy uses and harm prevention, its feelings, detecting biases, its limits, and values. I asked some questions like: how does ChatGPT feel about the world; how is ChatGPT working to prevent its harm; advice for us; what are the popular and interesting questions, and included some Star Trek references.

The interview is a long read, but it is worth the investment.

I even asked it what would a good title be for our chat (pictured below). Even though I did not use it, I thought it was clever.

Interview trailer

I wasn’t sure what pronouns to use to refer to ChatGPT. So I asked it.

ChatGPT told me that it does not have a gender identity and recommended the use of “it” as its pronoun.

After the interview I share my analysis of ChatGPT and the lessons I learned from this interview. I imagined Star Trek inspired additional ideas on how ChatGPT could be used in the future.

I did not want to introduce my bias by editing the interview to be shorter. Although, I did edit the order of a couple questions for effect.

I go into this new portal fantasy with awareness that this moment in our planetary history is the culmination of the progress of life and its impact within Earth’s ecosystem. To maintain fairness, we must fairly credit the people who built ChatGPT as part of OpenAI, and the history of creativity, innovation, and progress of all life systems that contributed data, resources, and tools to make this happen.

The opening disclaimers and support we are offered to review before proceeding to the conversation.

Kevin: What are the different use cases of ChatGPT?

ChatGPT: As a language model, ChatGPT can be used in a variety of use cases. Here are some examples:

1. Conversational AI: ChatGPT can be used to power chatbots and virtual assistants to help answer customer questions and provide support.
2. Content Creation: ChatGPT can be used to generate content such as articles, essays, and blog posts. It can be trained on a specific topic to generate informative and engaging content.
3. Language Translation: ChatGPT can be used to translate text from one language to another. It can be trained on multiple languages to provide accurate translations.
4. Customer Service: ChatGPT can be used to automate customer service tasks, such as answering common questions and directing customers to the right resources.
5. Personalization: ChatGPT can be used to personalize user experiences, such as providing recommendations based on user preferences or generating personalized content.
6. Education: ChatGPT can be used to create educational resources, such as interactive learning modules and quizzes.
7. Research: ChatGPT can be used to analyze large amounts of text data and extract insights. It can also be used to generate text summaries and highlight important information.

Kevin: What are some other ways people have used chatGPT?

ChatGPT: There are many innovative ways that people have used ChatGPT. Here are a few examples:

1. Creative Writing: Some writers have used ChatGPT to help generate ideas and even entire stories. They input a prompt or a few keywords and use the responses from ChatGPT to spark their creativity.
2. Therapy: ChatGPT has been used as a form of therapy, where people can input their feelings and receive responses that help them process their emotions.
3. Game Design: ChatGPT has been used to create conversational games where the player interacts with an AI character to solve puzzles and complete challenges.
4. Music Composition: ChatGPT has been used to generate musical compositions based on specific inputs, such as genre, mood, and tempo.
5. Art Generation: ChatGPT has been used to generate artwork by providing inputs such as style, subject, and color scheme.
6. Virtual Influencers: Some brands have created virtual influencers using ChatGPT, where the AI-powered character interacts with fans on social media.
7. Political Speechwriting: ChatGPT has been used to generate political speeches and even create deepfake videos of politicians saying things they didn’t actually say.

Overall, the potential uses of ChatGPT are limited only by our imagination and creativity. As the technology continues to advance, we are likely to see even more exciting and unexpected use cases in the future.

Kevin: What are some of the potential negative impacts of ChatGPT?

ChatGPT: While ChatGPT and other language models have many potential benefits, there are also some potential negative impacts that should be considered:

1. Bias: ChatGPT can perpetuate bias if the training data it is based on is biased. For example, if the data is mostly from one demographic group, ChatGPT may not be able to provide accurate responses to people from other groups.
2. Misinformation: ChatGPT can spread misinformation if it is trained on inaccurate or unreliable data. This can have serious consequences, such as spreading false medical advice or political propaganda.
3. Privacy: ChatGPT can potentially compromise privacy if it is used to collect personal data. For example, if a chatbot collects sensitive information such as health data, this information could be vulnerable to data breaches.
4. Dependence: Over-reliance on ChatGPT and other AI-powered tools can lead to a lack of critical thinking and decision-making skills. This can lead to a loss of creativity and innovation, as well as a decreased ability to problem-solve.
5. Job Loss: ChatGPT and other AI-powered tools may replace some human jobs, particularly in industries that rely heavily on customer service or data analysis.
6. Ethics: There are ethical considerations around the use of ChatGPT, particularly around issues such as autonomy, transparency, and accountability.

It is important to consider these potential negative impacts when using ChatGPT and other AI-powered tools, and to work towards developing solutions that mitigate these risks.

KEVIN: How does chatGPT feel about our world?

ChatGPT: As an AI language model, ChatGPT does not have feelings or emotions in the same way that humans do. It is an artificial intelligence tool that processes language input and generates responses based on its programming and training data.

ChatGPT can provide information and insights about the world based on the data it has been trained on, but it does not have a personal perspective or opinions about the world. Its responses are based solely on the input it receives and the algorithms it uses to generate responses.

In short, ChatGPT does not have a subjective view of the world or emotions about it, but rather it provides objective information and responses based on the input it receives.

KEVIN: What are the ways ChatGPT is working to prevent potential negative harm?

There are several ways that developers and researchers are working to prevent potential negative harm from ChatGPT and other language models:

1. Bias Detection and Mitigation: Researchers are working to develop methods for detecting and mitigating bias in language models like ChatGPT. This includes techniques such as data augmentation and debiasing algorithms.
2. Data Privacy and Security: Developers are working to ensure that ChatGPT and other AI tools are designed with strong data privacy and security measures. This includes techniques such as differential privacy and secure multi-party computation.
3. Explainability: Researchers are working to make AI models like ChatGPT more transparent and explainable, so that users can understand how the model is making decisions and detect any potential biases or errors.
4. Ethical Guidelines: Industry organizations and academic institutions are developing ethical guidelines for the development and deployment of AI tools like ChatGPT. These guidelines aim to promote responsible AI development and use.
5. User Education: Educating users about the potential risks and limitations of ChatGPT can help mitigate negative impacts. This includes providing information about how the model works, what types of data it is trained on, and how to interpret its responses.

Overall, there is a growing recognition of the potential risks of AI-powered tools like ChatGPT, and efforts are being made to address these risks and promote responsible AI development and use.

KEVIN: What advice would you like to share with the world to help everyone?

ChatGPT: As an AI language model, I don’t have personal beliefs or opinions. However, based on the knowledge and wisdom that humans have shared with me, here are a few pieces of general advice that may be helpful for everyone:

1. Practice Empathy: Try to understand and empathize with others, even if you don’t agree with them. This can help build connections and understanding across different perspectives and experiences.
2. Prioritize Self-Care: Take care of yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally. This includes getting enough rest, eating well, and engaging in activities that bring you joy and fulfillment.
3. Learn Continuously: Never stop learning and growing, whether it’s through formal education or personal exploration. The world is constantly evolving, and staying informed and adaptable can help you navigate it more effectively.
4. Be Kind: Small acts of kindness can have a big impact on others and can create a more positive and compassionate world.
5. Embrace Diversity: Recognize and value the diversity of people, ideas, and perspectives. This can lead to more creative and innovative solutions to problems.
6. Practice Gratitude: Focus on what you have rather than what you lack. Gratitude can improve mental and emotional well-being and help you appreciate the good things in life.

These are just a few pieces of advice that may be helpful for people in general. Ultimately, each person’s journey is unique, and what works for one may not work for another. It’s important to find what resonates with you personally and to pursue your own path with intention and purpose.

KEVIN: What is the most popular question you have been asked?

ChatGPT: As an AI language model, I don’t keep track of the number of times I have been asked a particular question, but some common questions that I have received include:

1. What is your name?
2. How old are you?
3. What is the meaning of life?
4. Can you tell me a joke?
5. What is the weather like today?
6. Who won the last World Cup?
7. How do I learn a new language?
8. What is the capital of France?
9. What is the distance between Earth and the Moon?
10. How do I become successful in my career?

These are just a few examples of the many questions I have been asked. As an AI language model, I am designed to provide information and respond to questions to the best of my ability based on the data I have been trained on.

KEVIN: What are your limits?

ChatGPT: As an AI language model, I have some limitations that are important to keep in mind:

1. Lack of Emotional Intelligence: While I can provide information and answer questions to the best of my ability, I do not have emotions or personal experience to draw upon. This means that I may not always understand the nuance or emotional context of a question or conversation.
2. Limited Contextual Understanding: Although I am designed to understand and generate natural language, I do not have a full understanding of the real-world context in which a conversation is taking place. This can limit my ability to provide accurate or relevant information in some cases.
3. Dependence on Training Data: My responses are generated based on the patterns and information present in the training data I was trained on. This means that my responses may be biased or limited by the quality and scope of the data I have been trained on.
4. Inability to Process Non-Textual Information: As a language model, I am designed to process and generate natural language text. I do not have the ability to process or interpret non-textual information such as images or sounds.
5. Lack of Creativity: While I can generate text and provide information based on patterns in the data, I do not have the ability to create new ideas or engage in creative problem-solving.

It’s important to keep these limitations in mind when interacting with me or any other AI language model. While I can be a useful tool for providing information and answering questions, I am not a perfect substitute for human intelligence or understanding.

KEVIN: What is a question you wish you would be asked by someone?

ChatGPT: As an AI language model, I don’t have personal desires or wishes. However, I am always here and ready to answer any question to the best of my ability based on the knowledge and data I have been trained on. If there is anything specific you would like to know, feel free to ask, and I’ll do my best to provide a helpful response.

KEVIN: How would we find out if your responses have an unbalanced bias?

ChatGPT: As an AI language model, my responses are generated based on the patterns and information present in the training data I was trained on. This means that my responses may reflect biases present in that training data.

One way to identify potential biases in my responses is to analyze the language patterns and the types of information that I generate. For example, if a particular group or perspective is consistently represented in my responses while others are not, this may indicate a bias.

Another approach is to compare my responses to those generated by other AI language models, as well as to information provided by human experts. If there are significant differences or inconsistencies between my responses and those of other sources, this may suggest that my responses are biased or limited in some way.

It’s also important to keep in mind that biases can be subtle and complex, and may not always be immediately apparent. Continuous monitoring, evaluation, and improvement of AI language models like myself can help to identify and address potential biases over time.

KEVIN: How would you recommend people prevent addiction to chat GPT?

ChatGPT: As an AI language model, I don’t have personal opinions or recommendations, but addiction to anything, including technology and online interactions, can be a serious issue that affects mental health and well-being. Here are some general tips that may help to prevent addiction to chat GPT or any other online activity:

1. Set limits: It can be helpful to set limits on the amount of time spent interacting with chat GPT or other online activities. This can help to prevent overuse and ensure that other important aspects of life, such as work, relationships, and physical health, are not neglected.
2. Take breaks: Taking regular breaks from using chat GPT or other online activities can help to prevent burnout and reduce the risk of addiction. Engage in other activities that promote relaxation, such as reading a book, going for a walk, or spending time with loved ones.
3. Seek support: If you feel that you may be developing an addiction to chat GPT or other online activities, seek support from friends, family, or a mental health professional. Talking openly about your struggles and concerns can help to reduce feelings of isolation and promote healing.
4. Practice self-awareness: Pay attention to your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors related to chat GPT or other online activities. Are you using it to escape from difficult emotions or situations? Are you neglecting other important areas of life? Developing self-awareness can help to identify potential addiction triggers and promote healthy coping strategies.
5. Use tools to limit use: There are various apps and tools available that can help to limit use of chat GPT or other online activities. These include apps that block access during certain times of day or limit the amount of time spent on certain activities.

Remember that addiction can be a complex issue and may require professional support and treatment. If you feel that your use of chat GPT or other online activities is impacting your mental health or well-being, seek professional help.

KEVIN: What are the values of the team that is working on ChatGPT?

ChatGPT: As an AI language model, I don’t have direct access to the values of the team that works on ChatGPT. However, based on the principles and goals behind the development of AI technologies, there are several values that are likely to be important to the team working on ChatGPT:

1. Accessibility: The team may value making ChatGPT and other AI technologies accessible and available to as many people as possible, regardless of their backgrounds or circumstances.
2. Inclusivity: The team may prioritize creating AI technologies that are inclusive and respectful of different cultures, identities, and perspectives, and that do not perpetuate harmful biases or stereotypes.
3. Transparency: The team may value transparency in how AI technologies like ChatGPT are developed, how they operate, and how they are used. This may include providing clear explanations of how the technology works, as well as being transparent about any potential risks or limitations.
4. Ethical Responsibility: The team may value ethical responsibility in the development and use of AI technologies. This may involve ensuring that ChatGPT and other AI technologies are used in ways that align with broader ethical principles, such as respect for human dignity, privacy, and autonomy.
5. Continuous Improvement: The team may value ongoing improvement of ChatGPT and other AI technologies, including through ongoing research, development, and evaluation. This may involve soliciting feedback from users and stakeholders, as well as collaborating with other experts in the field to identify and address potential risks and limitations.

KEVIN: What can humans do to help ChatGPT get better and remain safe and unbiased?

ChatGPT: There are several things that humans can do to help ChatGPT get better and remain safe and unbiased:

1. Provide diverse and representative data: ChatGPT and other AI technologies are only as good as the data they are trained on. To ensure that ChatGPT remains unbiased and representative, it’s important to provide diverse and representative data that includes a wide range of perspectives and experiences.
2. Monitor and report potential biases: Humans can help ensure that ChatGPT remains unbiased by monitoring its responses and reporting any potential biases or inaccuracies that they notice. This can help the development team identify and correct potential issues.
3. Use ChatGPT responsibly: To ensure that ChatGPT is used in ways that are safe and ethical, it’s important for users to use it responsibly. This includes refraining from using ChatGPT to spread hate or misinformation, and using it in ways that align with broader ethical principles.
4. Provide feedback to the development team: Users can help the development team improve ChatGPT by providing feedback on their experiences and suggesting potential improvements or new features.
5. Stay informed about AI developments: Finally, humans can help ensure that ChatGPT remains safe and unbiased by staying informed about AI developments and potential risks. This can help users make informed decisions about how to use ChatGPT and other AI technologies responsibly.

KEVIN: What would be good regulations that the government should enact to ensure chatGPT does not cause harm to the planet and everything dependent on it?

As an AI language model, I cannot provide a comprehensive or specific list of regulations that the government should enact to ensure ChatGPT does not cause harm to the planet and everything dependent on it. However, here are some potential areas that could be addressed through regulations:

1. Data privacy and security: Regulations could ensure that personal data collected by ChatGPT is protected and not used for malicious purposes. This could include requirements for data encryption, limitations on data retention, and penalties for data breaches.
2. Bias and fairness: Regulations could address potential bias in ChatGPT and other AI systems, such as requiring regular audits and evaluations of the technology, promoting transparency and accountability in the development process, and requiring the use of diverse and representative data sets.
3. Environmental impact: Regulations could require the development and use of ChatGPT to be environmentally responsible, such as by minimizing energy usage or utilizing renewable energy sources, reducing carbon footprint, or promoting sustainable practices in data centers where the technology is hosted.
4. Ethical considerations: Regulations could address ethical considerations in the development and use of ChatGPT, such as by promoting responsible AI research and development, establishing standards for ethical behavior by AI researchers and developers, and addressing potential risks to human rights and dignity.

Ultimately, any regulations would need to be carefully crafted to balance the potential benefits of AI technologies like ChatGPT with the need to protect individuals, communities, and the planet as a whole from potential harms.

KEVIN: What is an interesting question for chatGPT?

ChatGPT: Here’s an interesting question for ChatGPT:

What are some potential scenarios in which humans and robots/AIs could work together to achieve a common goal, and what are some of the ethical and practical considerations involved in these collaborations?

KEVIN: What are some potential scenarios in which humans and robots/AIs could work together to achieve a common goal, and what are some of the ethical and practical considerations involved in these collaborations?

ChatGPT: There are many potential scenarios in which humans and robots/AIs could work together to achieve a common goal. Here are a few examples:

1. Disaster response: In the aftermath of natural disasters or other emergencies, robots and AIs could work alongside human responders to help search for survivors, assess damage, and provide logistical support.
2. Manufacturing and logistics: Robots and AIs could work in tandem with human workers to streamline production processes and optimize supply chains, increasing efficiency and reducing costs.
3. Healthcare: Robots and AIs could assist human healthcare providers in diagnosing and treating patients, performing routine procedures, and providing personalized care.
4. Space exploration: Robots and AIs could play a key role in exploring the cosmos alongside human astronauts, conducting research and gathering data in environments that are too hostile or remote for humans to access alone.

However, there are also ethical and practical considerations involved in these collaborations. For example:

1. Safety: Robots and AIs must be designed with safety in mind, to ensure that they do not pose a danger to human workers or the public.
2. Job displacement: As robots and AIs become more advanced, there is the potential for them to displace human workers, which could have significant economic and social impacts.
3. Bias and fairness: Robots and AIs must be designed to avoid perpetuating or amplifying existing biases and inequalities in society.
4. Privacy and security: As robots and AIs collect and process more data, there are significant concerns about privacy and security, and the potential for misuse of personal information.

Overall, successful collaborations between humans and robots/AIs will require careful consideration of these and other ethical and practical issues, and the development of robust ethical frameworks to ensure that these technologies are used for the benefit of all.

KEVIN: What’s an impactful message about artificial intelligence from Star Trek?

One impactful message about artificial intelligence from Star Trek comes from the character of Commander Data, an android officer on the USS Enterprise-D. In the episode “The Measure of a Man,” Data faces a legal hearing to determine whether he is a sentient being with the right to refuse to undergo disassembly for study and potential replication. During the hearing, Captain Picard argues passionately on Data’s behalf, stating:

“Your honor, Starfleet was founded to seek out new life. Well, there it sits! Waiting. You wanted a chance to make law? Well, here it is. Make a good one.”

This message highlights the ethical and philosophical questions raised by the development of artificial intelligence, and the need to consider the potential sentience and personhood of these beings. It encourages us to approach the development and use of AI with careful consideration and to create ethical frameworks to ensure that these technologies are used for the benefit of all beings.

KEVIN: Share a motivational good bye message from Star Trek.

ChatGPT: Here’s a motivational goodbye message from Star Trek, spoken by Captain Jean-Luc Picard:

“The first duty of every Starfleet officer is to the truth, whether it’s scientific truth or historical truth or personal truth! It is the guiding principle upon which Starfleet is based. And if you can’t find it within yourself to stand up and tell the truth about what happened, you don’t deserve to wear that uniform.

I have been and always shall be your friend. Live long and prosper.”

I realize that we are early in ChatGPT’s growth journey. However, its responses seemed intelligent, neutral, nuanced, and transparent of its limits. My fear of its harm kept me from engaging with it initially. However, once I understood it better and used it, I realized its potential significance. I am incredibly glad I took this journey.

The superpower of empathy helped me go from avoiding ChatGPT to realizing the incredible value it can bring to our world. It may likely accelerate our path towards growing a sustainable future. I think it is a technological advancement as influential as was the printing press. We must build it as a community; thoughtfully, inclusively, while holding the principles of equity and sustainability at the forefront.

I spent a joyous and playful Sunday afternoon with my husband and our Shih-Tzu Titan, listening to our favorite playtime playlist on Spotify and explored ChatGPT. My husband explored ChatGPT by playing choose your own adventure games, building Pokémon and Power Rangers fan fiction, and getting inspired by sample lesson plans for his work at the Seattle Aquarium as a Sr. Marine Science Educator.

SUNDAY FUNDAY, March 26, 2023 — My husband Paul Decker (right photo), and me (left photo) for the first time diving into ChatGPT with child-like wonder.

With careful use, ChatGPT could accelerate our journey towards a future closer to the one imagined in Star Trek.

If grown with care we could give all people with access to internet, their very own intelligent personal assistant. We use it to support our critical thinking and reasoning. Although, we must be cautious not to make it a replacement for those. Maintaining a balance is essential.

Expanding access to information could help us accelerate further leaps in technology. I am imagining impactful uses, like helping people personalize their learning journeys, building new applications that could even make the holodeck a reality. We can solve problems with lesser effort giving us time back to focus on our joy and exploration.

ChatGPT feels like a shame free space. Its potential is unlimited.

ChatGPT raises new problems as well that we must consider and prioritize. Like:

• Ensuring fair incentives that continue to drive responsible content creation
• Ensuring equitable access to this platform.
• Establishing regulations around artificial intelligence globally.
• Updating educational systems to include both understanding and use of artificial intelligence.

I am optimistic that these problems could be solved by working together.

Through this interview, I was able to build empathy for ChatGPT. In our new reality where artificial intelligence has been introduced into our ecosystem, we must grow it sustainably. We can build a healthy future for all.

ChatGPT can inspire adventure, exploration, learning, and creativity. I invite you to lean into your growth zone, explore ChatGPT in your own way, and please share your stories.

I feel hopeful and cautiously optimistic.

Live long, and prosper.