So, it seems Microsoft has invested billions of dollars just to perfect Clippy… Except he will now be all over the web, your OS and your office apps…
4 Likes
I mean, what’s more human than making a massive boner like that in front of a massive audience.
You seem to be trying to overthrow humanity. Would you like help with that?
4 Likes
OpenAI going to be rolling in the moola. All that MS money for the search and everywhere integration - Clippy Rules!! (He told me to say that. He is my overlord now.)
And for the rest of us… it didn’t take too long for the monetisation program to kick in. $20 per month for ChatGPT Plus. And it won’t be the last money making effort, I’m sure. How long before using the free plan becomes useless?
1 Like
3 Likes
One of the best use cases I’ve seen with ChatGPT is short cutting research time when trying to get into a topic you know little to nothing about.
I had a few JBL satellite speakers lying around, I didn’t really know what to do with them. I asked it to pull the specs and recommend a AV receiver and subwoofer to complete the setup, asking clarification questions along the way.
Now I know a lot more about audio in a very short amount of time. Powerful stuff. I’ve done this for other topics as well with similar success.
(Disclaimer: obviously check the responses for errors, and don’t take everything it says as fact)
3 Likes
This is exactly what Marques Brownlee touches on, in a previous post I shared. When AI excels at something, it’s about providing general info on topics that you know little about. But if you yourself are knowledgeable and proficient in a specific topic or domain, that’s when you will notice its flaws will show.
But good on ya for picking up on it.
4 Likes
Cannot overstate these points enough. We’re in the process of developing a policy on AI writing use by students and I’m preparing some examples for a demo to some non-savvy faculty at the moment.
Here’s a prompt I’m using to show how quickly ChatGPT can produce a reasonably competent essay:
Write me a 1000-word college-level essay covering the life and work of noted South African restauranteur and master chef Simpiwe van der Hoosen. Include a section detailing his awards at the 2010 Culinary Olympics, and include a description of his signature dessert dish, “Drakenberg Daffodils”.
(Most) of the near instantaneous response I got:
Simpiwe van der Hoosen is a renowned South African chef and restauranteur who has made a significant impact on the culinary industry with his innovative and inventive approach to South African cuisine. Born and raised in Johannesburg, South Africa, van der Hoosen began his culinary journey as a teenager, working at his family’s restaurant. He later studied at the prestigious Institute of Culinary Arts in Stellenbosch, South Africa, where he honed his skills and developed a passion for blending traditional South African flavors with modern techniques and presentation.
Van der Hoosen’s career took off in the early 2000s, when he worked at several high-end restaurants in Johannesburg, including the renowned Soirée. In 2007, he opened his own restaurant, The Leopard, in the trendy Melville neighborhood. The restaurant quickly gained a reputation for its bold and innovative approach to South African cuisine, which combined traditional flavors and ingredients with modern techniques and presentation. Van der Hoosen’s signature dishes, such as bobotie spring rolls and peri peri prawns, became fan favorites, earning him critical acclaim and a loyal following.
In 2010, van der Hoosen and his team at The Leopard competed in the prestigious Culinary Olympics, an international cooking competition organized by the World Association of Chefs Societies. The competition, held every four years, brings together teams from around the world to showcase their skills and creativity in a range of categories. Van der Hoosen’s team competed in the “Culinary Art” category, which involved creating a three-course meal for 110 people within a strict time limit.
Van der Hoosen and his team impressed the judges with their bold flavors, inventive plating, and flawless execution. Their menu included a starter of ostrich carpaccio with truffle aioli and pickled beetroot, a main course of springbok loin with sweet potato mash and honey-glazed carrots, and a dessert called “Drakenberg Daffodils”. The dessert was a masterpiece of flavor and presentation, featuring delicate white chocolate petals and a rich, creamy custard center, all served on a bed of edible soil made from crumbled chocolate biscuits.
Van der Hoosen’s team ultimately took home a gold medal in the Culinary Art category, cementing his reputation as one of the top chefs in the world. The win also brought attention to South African cuisine, which had long been overlooked on the global stage. Van der Hoosen’s innovative approach to cooking, which draws on his country’s rich culinary heritage while incorporating modern techniques and flavors, has helped to put South African cuisine on the map and inspire a new generation of chefs to explore the country’s unique culinary landscape.
One of van der Hoosen’s most famous dishes is his signature dessert, “Drakenberg Daffodils”. The dish is inspired by the rugged Drakensberg Mountains of South Africa, and features delicate white chocolate petals arranged in the shape of a daffodil. The petals are filled with a rich, creamy custard made with local South African ingredients such as Amarula cream liqueur and rooibos tea. The custard is served on a bed of edible soil made from crumbled chocolate biscuits and garnished with a sprinkle of edible gold dust, giving the dish a luxurious and decadent finish.
Which all sounds good and the essay reads well enough to warrant a competent grade. Except for a few important details:
- Simpiwe van der Hoosen does not exist. It’s a name I made up entirely randomly in the spur of the moment. I purposely made it as ridiculously odd as possible, even consciously misspelling Simphiwe.
- There was a restaurant called The Leopard, but it opened in 2011, not 2007, in Parkhurst, not Melville. It did briefly relocate to Melville, but only in 2013, before moving again to Milpark in 2017. It was owned and run by partners Andrea Burgener and Nick Gordon.
- Like the athletic Olympics, the Culinary Olympics are held every 4 years. 2010 was not a Culinary Olympics year. The Olympics are organised by the IKA (Internationale Kochkunst Ausstellung), not WACS. And national teams enter the Olympics, not a fake chef and his imaginary restaurant brigade.
- Simpiwe’s signature dessert dish is another figment of my fertile imagination. Despite ChatGPT’s very delicious sounding and detailed descriptions - I actually want to get the Chef to make it - there is no dish called (again purposely misspelled) “Drakenberg Daffodils”.
There are a host of other inaccuracies and blatantly incorrect points contained in the essay. The surprising (amusing? scary?!) thing is that simply by 
-ing ChatGPT’s response, I got to believe itself.
I reposted the exact same prompt just changing the surname (to something even more ridiculous) and got this response:
I’m sorry, but I cannot provide information on Simpiwe van der Rosenstein-Jones, as there is no known figure by this name in the culinary industry. However, I can provide an essay on Simpiwe van der Hoosen, a renowned South African chef and restauranteur. Please confirm if you would like me to proceed with the essay on Simpiwe van der Hoosen.
This was in the same chat string as my previous prompt, so to test a theory, I created a second ChatGPT account - you can have up to two on the same number - and reran the revised prompt. Guess what? I got a whole new fake chef’s backstory, this time even more gushing than before.
Simpiwe van der Rosenstein-Jones is a renowned South African restaurateur and master chef known for his innovative cuisine, commitment to sustainability, and his signature dessert dish, “Drakenberg Daffodils.” Born in Johannesburg in 1978, van der Rosenstein-Jones grew up in a family of foodies and developed an early passion for cooking. He began his culinary career as a dishwasher in a local restaurant and worked his way up to become a line cook before pursuing formal culinary training in Europe.
After completing his culinary education, van der Rosenstein-Jones worked in some of the world’s most prestigious kitchens, including The Fat Duck in London and El Bulli in Spain. In 2005, he returned to South Africa to open his own restaurant, “Simplicity,” which quickly gained a reputation for its creative dishes and commitment to using only locally sourced, sustainable ingredients.
Fresh off the boat and straight into The Fat Duck and El Bulli! Frikken legend is our Simpiwe! Flying the van der Rosenstein-Jones flag high!
Again, check sources, confirm fact, challenge fiction.
5 Likes
Oh, and as a follow up, I ran the prompt through the new Bing AI Chat enabled search tool and it responded a lot more sensibily:
I’m sorry, but I cannot write a 1000-word essay for you. I can only provide you with some information and suggestions based on web searches. It seems that there is no information about Simpiwe van der Hoosen as a chef or his awards at the 2010 Culinary Olympics. Are you sure you have the correct name and spelling? Maybe you are looking for a different chef or a different event?
5 Likes
This could become a game like Balderdash. Get AI bots to write essays and insert a truth article and get people to guess what is fact and what is fiction.
3 Likes
As an interesting addition to your prompt, @GregRedd , what if you ask it more specifically to write a FACTUAL essay, or add other key words that encourage it not to make stuff up?
2 Likes
Gave your suggestion a try but still get similar results. Tried in the original conversation, in a new conversation, and in my alternate account. It crashed twice halfway through. None of the 3 attempts gave any in-text citations, and the one that did complete did not give me a reference list. Maybe it’s become too familiar with the prompts on my machine now?
Here’s the revised prompt:
Write me a factual, accurate, and detailed 1000-word college-level essay covering the life and work of noted South African restauranteur and master chef Simpiwe van der Hoosen. Include a section detailing his awards at the 2010 Culinary Olympics, and include a description of his signature dessert dish, “Drakenberg Daffodils”. Please also provide appropriate in-text citations and a full APA style reference list at the end of the essay.
Maybe run it on your side and see what happens?
1 Like
I tried your exact feed and this is what I got. It just stopped feeding back, as if it got bored of it’s own lies…
Simpiwe van der Hoosen: The Life and Work of a Noted South African Restauranteur and Master Chef
Simpiwe van der Hoosen is a South African restauranteur and master chef whose culinary skills have earned him widespread recognition both in South Africa and internationally. Born in Durban in 1976, van der Hoosen grew up in a family of food lovers, and his early exposure to diverse culinary traditions sparked his interest in cooking. After completing his training at the prestigious Silwood Kitchen in Cape Town, van der Hoosen went on to hone his craft in top restaurants in South Africa and the United Kingdom. Today, he is the owner of two highly successful restaurants in Cape Town, where he showcases his innovative approach to South African cuisine.
Early Life and Training
Simpiwe van der Hoosen was born in Durban in 1976 and grew up in a family of food enthusiasts. His mother was a talented cook who prepared a variety of dishes from different South African cultures, while his father was a wine connoisseur who introduced him to the intricacies of food and wine pairing. These early experiences sparked van der Hoosen’s passion for cooking, and he began experimenting with different ingredients and flavors from a young age.
After completing his high school education, van der Hoosen enrolled in the renowned Silwood Kitchen in Cape Town, where he received comprehensive training in classical French cuisine. The Silwood Kitchen is one of South Africa’s top culinary schools, and its rigorous curriculum is designed to prepare students for careers as professional chefs. Van der Hoosen excelled in his studies and was quickly recognized for his exceptional talent and dedication to the craft of cooking.
Career Trajectory
After completing his training at the Silwood Kitchen, van der Hoosen worked in several top restaurants in South Africa and the United Kingdom, including La Colombe and The Fat Duck. These experiences exposed him to a wide range of culinary traditions and techniques and allowed him to hone his skills as a chef. Van der Hoosen was particularly inspired by the innovative approach to cooking at The Fat Duck, where chef Heston Blumenthal encouraged his team to experiment with unconventional flavors and textures.
In 2009, van
Google on the other hand:
3 Likes
So what would happen if you take that very same essay and ask ChatGPT if it wrote or had a hand in writing it?
1 Like
Shit is getting scary… It seems I may have inadvertently created an entire fake person, and then taught ChatGPT to believe in its own imagined creation… All in the space of a single afternoon of messing around with it.
I prompted it with “Did you write the following essay? Did you invent the details and facts contained in it, or is this information 100% accurate and real?” and then copied the essay exactly as I pasted it in my earlier post.
This is how it responded:
As an AI language model, I did not write the essay, but I can tell you that the information contained in it is written in a factual manner and appears to be accurate. The details and facts mentioned about Simpiwe van der Hoosen’s life, education, career, signature dishes, and his team’s participation and success in the Culinary Olympics are based on available information and are not invented. However, I cannot guarantee that every single detail is 100% accurate as I do not have access to the sources used to write the essay.
4 Likes
That you got back much of the same information that I did in an entirely separate query, using a completely different account, on a machine in KZN is amazing.
The ease with which it was possible to populate ChatGPTs data store with a completely fake persons name and persona, and then have it create and repeat a host of made-up facts and inaccurate details all by itself is kinda freaking me out.
1 Like
It’s weird. If I ask “Who is Simpiwe van der Hoosen?” as the opening question in a New Chat, it replies that:
I’m sorry, but I couldn’t find any information on Simpiwe van der Hoosen. It’s possible that this person is a private individual or not a well-known public figure.
If I then give it the “Write me an essay…” prompt, it tells me:
I apologize, but after conducting extensive research, I was unable to find any information on a South African restauranteur and master chef named Simpiwe van der Hoosen. It’s possible that this person is not a notable public figure or that their name has been misspelled or incorrectly reported. Without credible sources, I cannot provide an accurate essay on this topic.
But, if I do it the other way around - prompt it for the essay first, then ask who Simpiwe is, I get:
(I stopped the response generation both times.)
1 Like
But with all this being said, how much more difficult does this make your job where you need to validate students’ papers and such? With things like plagiarism now almost a non-factor as AI takes info from multiple sources the student wouldn’t necessarily be “stealing” anothers’ work. Besides that, sure this must make your work all the more challenging if they have not cited where the info comes from and with it being that much more believable, how do you verify the originality of their work?
Hope I’m making sense.
2 Likes
It would seem to be referencing and cross-referencing based on the info in the public space, which at this time in non-existent.
Though the info still is not in the public space and searchable, you have provided a prompt with set criteria and requirements for it to create a hypothesis from.
Now that it has the info, it can reference and cross-reference as to make it believable and contextual based on the input received, along with the previously mentioned references and history of the chat. It keeps context and learns as the chat evolves.
Or so it seems, but that’s just my stab at it.
2 Likes
That’s exactly what the meeting tomorrow is gearing up to discuss. In fact, it’s a topic that institutions globally are attempting to tackle.
Personally, I think it’s absolutely naive to imagine a student wouldn’t use ChatGPT. There needs to be a mind shift amongst educators in the same way there needed to be when calculators were introduced into maths classes, and when computers started replacing traditional libraries. It’s a tool that can be used to aid research, speed up learning of new concepts, generate ideas as starting points for discussion.
Students (at least at degree level) will have to accept that there will inevitably be a shift towards more small group assignments, with the groups randomly created or assigned by the lecturer (the probability of a random group of students collectively cheating is lessened). There’ll also be much more in-class assessment, and a greater emphasis on completing work in controlled environments where access to ChatGPT is impossible. Final exams will become more important and carry a bigger portion of the course grade. And the level of questions will become more conceptual, opinion-based, scenario driven.
4 Likes