Reimagining AI-Language Generation: Beyond GPT-4 and the Future of Education

AI-driven ChatGPT, a remarkable synthetic intelligence tool, showcases its proficiency in addressing inquiries, recounting narratives, composing essays, and even programming. This advanced conversational bot, with its immense potential, 

has the capacity to shape the future of humanity, both positively and negatively.

Originating from the innovative minds at OpenAI in San Francisco, the ChatGPT platform grants free access to this AI marvel, enabling users to swiftly harness its vast capabilities. By simply signing up, individuals can delve into the extensive functionalities of this AI model.

Since its initial launch in the previous year, ChatGPT has garnered a substantial user base, capturing widespread attention while simultaneously sparking contentious debates. Educational institutions have prohibited its usage due to concerns of academic dishonesty, certain nations have restricted access to the ChatGPT platform, and profound ethical and legal considerations regarding AI have risen to prominence.

However, ChatGPT does not stand alone in the realm of conversational bots, as competitors such as Google Bard have emerged onto the scene, vying for attention and recognition.

Furthermore, the ChatGPT family is expanding its horizons. The current free web version of ChatGPT operates on an upgraded iteration of GPT-3, while OpenAI has developed a more advanced variant known as GPT-4, exclusively accessible to paid subscribers through ChatGPT Plus. Moreover, OpenAI has unveiled its plans to create yet another version named 'ChatGPT Business.'

So, what precisely is ChatGPT? What functions does it serve? And does it genuinely embody the future of AI? These inquiries, and more, shall be thoroughly addressed in the subsequent sections.

Unraveling the Concepts of GPT-3, GPT-4, and ChatGPT

GPT-3 (Generative Pretrained Transformer 3) and GPT-4 represent cutting-edge language processing AI models, meticulously crafted by OpenAI. These models possess the remarkable ability to generate text that closely mimics human language, finding utility in a myriad of domains including language translation, language modeling, and text generation for conversational bots. Standing tall with a staggering 175 billion parameters, GPT-3 stands as one of the largest and most formidable language-processing AI models ever created.

One of its primary applications lies in the creation of ChatGPT, an advanced conversational bot. As a demonstration of its fundamental capabilities, we solicited GPT-3's chatbot to compose its own description, as eloquently presented above. Though it may appear slightly self-aggrandizing, its content remains factual and arguably well-crafted.

What are the capabilities that ChatGPT possesses?

Describing the complete range of abilities encompassed within GPT-3's expansive 175 billion parameters is no small task. This language-focused model, unlike its counterpart Dall-E 2, lacks the capacity to generate videos, sounds, or images. Nonetheless, it excels in comprehending and processing both spoken and written language.

This linguistic prowess empowers ChatGPT with a wide array of capabilities. It can generate diverse content, ranging from crafting whimsical poems about sentient flatulence and cliché romantic comedies set in alternate realities to simplifying complex explanations of quantum mechanics or composing comprehensive research papers and articles.

While it may be entertaining to employ the years of research conducted by OpenAI to have an AI concoct subpar stand-up comedy scripts or answer questions about beloved celebrities, the true power of ChatGPT lies in its speed and comprehension of intricate subjects.

While we might spend hours conducting research, assimilating knowledge, and painstakingly crafting an article on the nuances of quantum mechanics, ChatGPT can swiftly produce an alternative version that is equally well-written within a matter of seconds.

However, it is important to acknowledge that ChatGPT does have its limitations. If the provided prompt becomes excessively complex or delves into exceedingly niche realms, the software can easily become perplexed. Similarly, it may struggle when confronted with very recent concepts, lacking comprehensive knowledge of events that have unfolded in the past year, and occasionally yielding false or confused information.

OpenAI is acutely cognizant of the internet's inclination to push AI towards generating content that is dark, harmful, or biased. In line with its predecessor, the Dall-E image generator, ChatGPT actively takes measures to prevent users from posing inappropriate or perilous queries.

How much does ChatGPT cost and how can it be utilized?

ChatGPT is presently accessible at no cost and boasts a remarkably user-friendly experience for signing up and utilizing its features. The process involves the following simple steps:

1. Visit the ChatGPT website and create an account.

2. Await account acceptance (unless you already possess an account from Dall-E 2).

3. Log in to an intuitive page that provides example prompts and informative details on ChatGPT's functioning.

4. Utilize the text box located at the bottom of the page to pose questions or provide prompts for ChatGPT.

During the signup procedure, it is important to note that a valid phone number is required for account verification purposes. OpenAI explicitly assures that this number will not be utilized for any other purposes.

For Apple users, the ChatGPT app for iOS can be downloaded from the Apple App Store. Although an Android version is not presently available, OpenAI has announced plans to extend the availability of ChatGPT to Android devices in the near future. In the meantime, Android users can still access the web version of ChatGPT using their preferred search engines.

At present, ChatGPT remains free to use. However, OpenAI has introduced ChatGPT Pro, a subscription-based version that offers enhanced benefits.

ChatGPT Pro is priced at $20 (£16) per month, granting users priority access, expedited loading times, and early access to updates and new features.

While the free version continues to be available, it remains uncertain if any changes to this pricing structure will occur in the future.

How does GPT-4 differ from GPT-3?

GPT-4, while sharing similarities with its predecessor GPT-3, introduces new features that significantly enhance the capabilities of the software.

One notable advancement in GPT-4 is its increased input capacity. Users can now utilize up to 25,000 words as input, which is eight times more than the original ChatGPT model.

OpenAI has also addressed the issue of "hallucinations" or errors in the generated content. GPT-4 exhibits fewer instances of confusing or nonsensical answers, as well as reduced incorporation of stereotypes or false information.

Moreover, GPT-4 demonstrates improved language manipulation and creative expression. OpenAI showcased this by challenging ChatGPT to summarize a blog post using only words starting with the letter 'g.' The model also shows an enhanced understanding of poetry and creative writing, although it is not flawless.

OpenAI has also explored the potential of using images as prompts. For example, they presented an image of a fully stocked refrigerator with the prompt, "What can I make with these ingredients?" ChatGPT generated a step-by-step recipe in response.

While the use of images as prompts is an intriguing development, OpenAI has also proposed the idea of video prompts. This would hypothetically enable users to input videos accompanied by textual prompts for the language model to analyze.

Apart from text and images, OpenAI demonstrated GPT-4's ability to create entire websites from handwritten sketches, even executing JavaScript. This showcases the model's versatility and potential for diverse applications.

While GPT-3 primarily competed with writers and journalists in tasks traditionally performed by humans, GPT-4 expands its capabilities further. It can now create websites, handle tax returns, generate recipes, and process extensive legal information, among other tasks.

Please note that the above information is based on the demonstration and proposed capabilities of GPT-4 and may not represent the full extent of its functionalities.

When will GPT-4 be available?

Users are eagerly anticipating the availability of GPT-4 after its announcement. Initially, GPT-4 will be accessible to users through the Pro version of ChatGPT, which is a paid plan costing $20 per month.

Currently, the Pro plan has a waitlist with a significant number of people in the queue. Subscribers to the Pro plan enjoy benefits such as availability during peak times and faster response times.

The availability of GPT-4 for the free version of ChatGPT is uncertain at this time. If OpenAI decides to update the free version to GPT-4, it is expected to happen in the distant future.

Alternatively, Microsoft's new version of Bing already incorporates GPT-4. Access to this version also requires joining a waitlist, but unlike ChatGPT Pro, it is available for free.

How does ChatGPT work?

At first glance, the workings of GPT-3 may seem simple: you input your requests or prompts, and the system provides responses. However, the underlying technology is far more complex than it appears.

GPT-3 was trained on an extensive amount of text data sourced from the internet, including books, web texts, articles, Wikipedia, and more, totaling a massive 570GB of data. Specifically, the system was exposed to 300 billion words.

As a language model, it operates on probabilities, making educated guesses about the next word in a sentence. To achieve proficiency, the model went through a supervised testing phase.

During this phase, the model received inputs like "What color is the wood of a tree?" The team had the correct output in mind, but there was no guarantee the model would provide it. If the model produced an incorrect answer, the team would input the correct response back into the system, teaching and improving its knowledge.

A similar process was repeated in the second stage, where multiple answers were generated and ranked by a team member to train the model through comparisons.

What sets this technology apart is its ability to continue learning while predicting the next word, constantly improving its understanding of prompts and questions to become a comprehensive source of knowledge.

Think of it as an advanced and intelligent version of the autocomplete feature found in email or writing software. As you start typing a sentence, the system suggests potential completions based on its anticipation of your intended input.

Concerns about the future

As with any advancement in artificial intelligence, ChatGPT has raised skepticism and concerns. Critics and those closely involved in AI development are expressing caution.

A public letter has been drafted, calling for a six-month pause in the development of systems more powerful than GPT-4, including OpenAI's work on GPT-5, the future version that ChatGPT will run on. Prominent AI researchers and figures in the tech industry, such as Elon Musk, Steve Wozniak, and Yuval Noah Harari, have signed this letter.

The letter emphasizes the need for a verifiable and public pause, as companies like OpenAI, Microsoft, and Google are seen as engaged in a profit-driven race to rapidly develop and release new AI models, which raises potential risks.

Furthermore, a report from Goldman Sachs has raised concerns by suggesting that AI systems like ChatGPT could impact 300 million full-time jobs, intensifying existing worries about these platforms.

Where will GPT-4 be used?

GPT-3 was already being adopted by major companies, integrating the technology into search engines, apps, and software. OpenAI is placing even greater emphasis on GPT-4.

Currently, Microsoft's Bing is the primary user of the technology. OpenAI has also reported that companies like Khan Academy are utilizing the software to assist students with coursework and provide teachers with lesson ideas.

Are there other AI language generators?

While GPT-3 has gained recognition for its language capabilities, it is not the only AI capable of such tasks. Google's LaMDA received attention when a Google engineer was fired for considering it so realistic that he believed it to be sentient.

Google launched a chatbot called Bard powered by LaMDA on March 21, 2023. Bard is similar to ChatGPT but benefits from having access to up-to-date information.

There are also numerous other AI language software examples created by various entities, including Microsoft, Amazon, and Stanford University. These have received less attention compared to OpenAI and Google, possibly because they don't offer humorous elements like fart jokes or headlines about sentient AI.

Most of these models are not publicly accessible, but OpenAI has begun providing access to GPT-3 during its testing phase, and Google's LaMDA is available to selected groups in a limited capacity for testing.

Will ChatGPT be banned in schools?

While many companies are eager to implement ChatGPT, there are instances where it is being swiftly banned.

The New York City Department of Education, for example, has decided to prohibit the use of ChatGPT on all devices and networks in public schools. This decision stems from two primary reasons. Firstly, the chat model has demonstrated inaccuracies and mistakes, particularly when it comes to information from the past year. Secondly, there is a genuine concern about plagiarism, as students can rely on ChatGPT to write their essays for them.

While New York is the first to publicly ban the software, it is likely that similar decisions will be made elsewhere. However, some experts argue that this software could actually enhance learning.

According to Kate Darling, a research scientist at the MIT Media Lab, "ChatGPT and other AI-based language applications could be and perhaps should be, integrated into school education. Not indiscriminately, but rather as a very intentional part of the curriculum. If teachers and students use AI tools like ChatGPT in service of specific teaching goals and also learn about some of their ethical issues and limitations, that would be far better than banning them." However, she acknowledges that in the absence of resources for teachers to familiarize themselves with the technology, schools may need to implement policies restricting its use.

This perspective aligns with the opinion of Sam Illingworth, an associate professor at Edinburgh Napier University, who believes that instead of fighting against AI, we should learn how to interact with it safely. Illingworth emphasizes that AI is here to stay and will be used by students in the workforce, so it is strange to pretend it doesn't exist and avoid using it for educational purposes.

Artificially intelligent ecosystems

Artificial intelligence has been in use for years, but there is currently a surge of interest driven by developments from major tech players like Google, Meta, Microsoft, and others.

OpenAI, in particular, has garnered significant attention recently. The company has created an AI image generator, a highly intelligent chatbot, and is in the process of developing Point-E, a method for generating 3D models with worded prompts.

By investing billions of dollars into these projects, OpenAI and its major investors are positioning themselves at the forefront of AI creative tools, potentially making it a worthwhile long-term investment.