We’ve got to talk ChatGPT

[Micael]

So the OpenAI foundation released a ”chatbot” for public use, and oh boy can it do stuff. This is the first time I think we, the public, have gotten near to being able to use a computer that (mostly) understands what you want it to do just by writing in plain English (or a myriad other languages). It can program code very well just from text inputs, I asked it to code a game with the same functionality as Pong, and it analysed how Pong is supposed to work from text write ups and spat out code in Python that mimics the game functionality! It can do so in basically all programming languages, and much more complex code. People have been throwing test questions from college programming courses at it and it just spits out working code in a second. It can explain what code does in detail, annotate it, make adjustment if you as it to.

As for language, it can write an essay on a topic, it can write poems on any subject you’d like in any style that you’d like.
I asked it to write a poem about ships in the style of the Poetic Edda, and then in the style of Shakespeare:

Edda:
” Ships on the ocean, mighty and proud
Sailing through waves, both calm and loud
Their hulls strong, their masts tall
As they journey through land and all

Their crews brave, their hearts true
Setting sail anew, to whatever fate is due
Some voyage for trade, some for war
But all share a love for the open shore

Ships are a symbol of freedom and might
Their sails catching the wind, as they take flight
To faraway lands and unknown seas
A voyage of discovery, for all to see

So let us raise a toast to the ships of old
May they forever sail, brave and bold
For they are the masters of the sea
Their stories will live on, for all to see”

Shakespeare:
” Upon the waves, the ships do glide
Their mighty hulls and tall masts abide
Through storm and calm, they brave the sea
Their crews proud and valiant, as they be

For trade or war, they set their sail
Their fates unknown, but without fail
They journey on, to lands unknown
A voyage of discovery, they undertake alone

But fear not, brave ships of the sea
Your stories live on, forever free
A symbol of might and of liberty
Your legacy, a tapestry

So raise a glass, to these noble craft
May they forever sail, with wind in their aft
For they are the lords of the ocean's floor
Their tales, a treasure to be adored”

Got a mathematical equation you want solved and for it to walk you through how to solve it? No problem! Analyse a text and summarize it or extrapolate the gist? Can do! And so on, it’s just remarkable compared to anything else out there.

It’s not perfect, but it’s pretty much beyond how the voice interacting Star Trek computers were portrayed already, and the developers have throttled it down heavily with restrictions to prevent it from going too nuts at the moment. Imagine in a few years time with refinement and so forth, we’re looking at an absolute revolution on par if not beyond that which the digital/information age brought us.

I’m stoked (and a tiny bit scared of it turning into Skynet.)

[Micael]

There’s some media reports that Google got spooked big time from the ChatGPT release, declared a ”code red” and reallocated teams and resources to boost their own AI development.

And when you seem examples like this online it’s easy to understand why:

Google:


ChatGPT:

[Nathan45]

Yeah...honestly imagine that in 20 years. For better or worse, we will live to see AI's far superior to anything human, even in creative endeavors.

[MFOM]

Even in our tiny corner, imagine in a few years in fiction/alt history were you can say" Computer, in the style of Don Troiani, create an image of British 60th rifles clashing in up State New York against an NY Volunteer regiment circa 1875" and poof, there it is.

[Micael]

So I asked it this:

Hello, please write a script for an episode of the tv show Star Trek: The original series

Here’s what it came up with:

Sure! Here is a script for an episode of "Star Trek: The Original Series" titled "The Planet of Peril":

FADE IN:

INT. USS ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE

Captain James T. Kirk, Mr. Spock, Dr. Leonard "Bones" McCoy, and the rest of the Enterprise crew are on the bridge, looking worried.

KIRK: Mr. Spock, what's our situation?

SPOCK: Captain, we have received a distress signal from the planet Zeta Sigma III. The message is garbled, but it appears to be coming from a research team on the planet's surface.

KIRK: How long will it take us to get there?

SPOCK: At maximum warp, we can reach the planet in approximately six hours.

KIRK: Make it so. Dr. McCoy, I want you to assemble a landing party. We'll beam down and see if we can help the research team.

MCCOY: Aye, Captain. I'll get my medical kit.

KIRK: Mr. Spock, you're with me.

SPOCK: Aye, Captain.

The crew members all move to their stations, preparing for the mission.

INT. USS ENTERPRISE - TRANSPORTER ROOM

The landing party, including Kirk, Spock, McCoy, and a few security officers, stand on the transporter pads.

KIRK: Energize.

The crew members dematerialize and reassemble on the surface of Zeta Sigma III.

INT. ZETA SIGMA III - JUNGLE

The landing party materializes in a dense jungle. They are immediately confronted by a group of hostile alien creatures.

KIRK: Quickly, take cover!

The landing party takes shelter behind some nearby rocks and begins firing at the aliens. After a tense firefight, they are able to defeat the aliens and move on.

INT. ZETA SIGMA III - RESEARCH LABORATORY

The landing party eventually reaches the research laboratory, where they find the research team under attack by more aliens. Kirk and the others join the fight and manage to drive the aliens off.

MCCOY: Thank goodness you arrived when you did. We were running out of options.

KIRK: It's our job to help those in need. Is everyone alright?

RESEARCH TEAM LEADER: Yes, thanks to you. We were studying the planet's flora and fauna when we were attacked. We have no idea where these creatures came from.

KIRK: We'll have to find out. Mr. Spock, can you scan the planet and see if you can detect any other signs of these aliens?

SPOCK: Already on it, Captain.

While Spock works, Kirk and the others begin to help the research team repair their damaged equipment.

INT. ZETA SIGMA III - JUNGLE

Later, Kirk, Spock, and the rest of the landing party are making their way back through the jungle.

KIRK: Mr. Spock, what did you find?

SPOCK: Captain, I have discovered that there is a hidden alien base on the planet. It appears that these creatures are using the planet as a staging ground for an invasion of nearby worlds.

KIRK: We have to stop them. How can we do that?

SPOCK: I believe that we can use the research team's equipment to send a signal that will disable the base.

KIRK: Good work, Mr. Spock. Dr. McCoy, can you and the research team set that up while we hold off any more alien attacks?

MCCOY: We'll get right on it, Captain.

KIRK: The rest of you, come with me. We'll set up a perimeter around the laboratory and be ready to defend it if necessary.

The landing party splits up, with Kirk and the security officers heading out to set up the perimeter while McCoy and the research team work on setting up the signal.

INT. ZETA SIGMA III - JUNGLE

The landing party is on high alert, waiting for any sign of the aliens. Suddenly, a group of the creatures appears, approaching the laboratory from all sides.

KIRK: Fire at will!

The landing party engages in another firefight with the aliens, but this time, they are outnumbered and struggling to hold their ground.

MCCOY (over radio): Captain, we're ready to send the signal!

KIRK: Do it now, Dr. McCoy!

The research team activates the signal, which disables the alien base and causes the attacking aliens to fall to the ground, unconscious.

KIRK: It worked! Mr. Spock, can you confirm that the base has been disabled?

SPOCK: Yes, Captain. The base's systems are offline and the aliens are no longer a threat.

KIRK: Excellent work, everyone. Let's get back to the Enterprise and report our findings to Starfleet.

The landing party gathers their equipment and beams back up to the Enterprise, triumphant in their victory against the alien threat.

FADE TO BLACK.

[Micael]

I also asked it to rewrite the script to add a romantic subplot, here’s the part that it rewrote:

As the landing party begins to gather their equipment, Kirk notices that one of the research team members, a young woman named Samantha, is injured.

KIRK: Dr. McCoy, can you take care of Samantha's injury?

MCCOY: I'll do my best, Captain.

KIRK: Samantha, I'm Captain James Kirk. I'm going to get you back to the Enterprise and make sure you receive proper medical treatment.

SAMANTHA: Thank you, Captain. I appreciate it.

Kirk helps Samantha to her feet and leads her towards the transporter pads. As they walk, Kirk can't help but feel drawn to Samantha's strength and determination.

KIRK: You're a brave woman, Samantha. I'm glad to have met you.

SAMANTHA: The pleasure is all mine, Captain.

As they reach the transporter pads, Kirk gives Samantha a reassuring smile before turning to the rest of the landing party.

KIRK: Energize.

The landing party beams back up to the Enterprise, triumphant in their victory against the alien threat.

INT. USS ENTERPRISE - SICKBAY

Samantha is lying on a medical bed while McCoy tends to her wound. Kirk enters the room and approaches her bedside.

KIRK: How are you feeling, Samantha?

SAMANTHA: Much better, thanks to Dr. McCoy.

KIRK: I'm glad to hear it. I just wanted to check on you before we head back to Earth.

SAMANTHA: I appreciate it, Captain. And I wanted to thank you for everything you did for me and the rest of the research team.

KIRK: It was my pleasure, Samantha. I'm just glad that we were able to help.

There is a moment of silence between them, and Kirk can't help but feel a strong connection to Samantha. He takes a deep breath before speaking.

KIRK: Samantha, I know this might be sudden, but I have to tell you something. I've been feeling something for you since the moment I saw you on that planet. I know we just met, but I can't shake these feelings.

SAMANTHA: Captain, I feel the same way. I know it's crazy, but I can't help how I feel.

KIRK: So what do we do now?

SAMANTHA: I don't know, but I'm willing to take a chance and see where this goes.

KIRK: Me too.

They smile at each other, and Kirk leans down to give Samantha a gentle kiss on the forehead.

FADE TO BLACK.

It’s pretty impressive for something an AI dreamed up.

[Micael]

Oh and I asked it to write a poem to cheer up Mike.

The Strategic Air Command, a force to be reckoned with
Their mighty planes soaring through the sky, an unstoppable juggernaut
On the ground, Mike Kozlowski, a tireless and dedicated crew
His skill and determination a testament to his merit, too

Through storms and strife, he works on, undeterred
His mission clear, his duty to serve and protect
With courage and conviction, he takes to the task
Defending our nation with honor, no easy ask

The Strategic Air Command, a symbol of strength and might
Their fearless team, prepared for any fight
Mike Kozlowski, a hero among heroes, standing tall
Proudly serving our country, one mission and task after all

So here's to the Strategic Air Command, and to Mike Kozlowski too
May they continue to serve with pride, and see their missions through

[Craiglxviii]

Oh and I asked it to write a poem to cheer up Mike.

The Strategic Air Command, a force to be reckoned with
Their mighty planes soaring through the sky, an unstoppable juggernaut
On the ground, Mike Kozlowski, a tireless and dedicated crew
His skill and determination a testament to his merit, too

Through storms and strife, he works on, undeterred
His mission clear, his duty to serve and protect
With courage and conviction, he takes to the task
Defending our nation with honor, no easy ask

The Strategic Air Command, a symbol of strength and might
Their fearless team, prepared for any fight
Mike Kozlowski, a hero among heroes, standing tall
Proudly serving our country, one mission and task after all

So here's to the Strategic Air Command, and to Mike Kozlowski too
May they continue to serve with pride, and see their missions through

Please ask it to set this to jazz flute.

[Micael]

Oh and I asked it to write a poem to cheer up Mike.

The Strategic Air Command, a force to be reckoned with
Their mighty planes soaring through the sky, an unstoppable juggernaut
On the ground, Mike Kozlowski, a tireless and dedicated crew
His skill and determination a testament to his merit, too

Through storms and strife, he works on, undeterred
His mission clear, his duty to serve and protect
With courage and conviction, he takes to the task
Defending our nation with honor, no easy ask

The Strategic Air Command, a symbol of strength and might
Their fearless team, prepared for any fight
Mike Kozlowski, a hero among heroes, standing tall
Proudly serving our country, one mission and task after all

So here's to the Strategic Air Command, and to Mike Kozlowski too
May they continue to serve with pride, and see their missions through

Please ask it to set this to jazz flute.

It seems to not be very capable of setting things to music I’m afraid