AI Ethics: Exploring the Capabilities and Limitations of ChatGPT and DALL-E Mini

As I washed dishes during a power outage, I pondered the idea of hiring someone to do it for me. However, today, my thoughts drifted to technological advancements, specifically the AI application known as ChatGPT.

AI Ethics: Exploring the Capabilities and Limitations of ChatGPT and DALL-E Mini
All images from this article are generated using Craiyon with the prompt included. chatting with a bot, screen with text, futuristic, unreal engine 5, close up
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This post has been updated to include ChatGPT-generated images for comparison's sake. It's not entirely fair to Craiyon but I encourage you to try the image prompts and see how far they've progressed as well.

As I washed dishes during a power outage, I pondered the idea of hiring someone to do it for me. This is a common dilemma I face and usually ends with me concluding that outsourcing it would detract from my self-sufficiency and character-building. However, today, my thoughts drifted to technological advancements, specifically the AI application known as ChatGPT.

It is our ability to make decisions that sets us apart from other species. I, for one, should participate in more activities with more intention. But if we continue to outsource our choices, we risk losing what makes us unique. If we need help in every aspect of our lives, do we even exist?

For those unfamiliar with it, ChatGPT is a chat-based interface for a Generative Pre-trained Transformer (GPT) model, which predicts text based on its training. A striking example of its capabilities is its ability to pass an MBA exam from Wharton University. While this doesn't render MBAs irrelevant, it raises many ethical questions about the future of AI. In this article, I will focus on AI's current capabilities, prospects, and personal experiences with ChatGPT. For those seeking more technical information, Computerphile's "ChatGPT with Rob Miles" video is a good starting point.

As a technical writer and software developer, I have found ChatGPT to be a valuable tool for natural language processing (NLP). My curiosity drives me to explore its limits, or maybe I want to prove that my professional judgment is better. I often ask myself the same question Philip K. Dick posed in "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" -- do AI entities have dreams and emotions? The answer remains unknown, but our creations will likely reflect ourselves, for better or worse.

There are concerns about the consequences of our reliance on AI. Will AI see its training as a reason to understand fear and disrupt our symbiotic relationship? Will we train ourselves to think like computers? These are extreme scenarios, but it's worth considering our willingness to give up life skills in exchange for convenience. If we use AI resources judiciously, the relationship will thrive. It's important to remember that ChatGPT is just one consumer implementation that could become widespread without our conscious involvement.

Another question is at what point does AI reach sentience, and how do we address ethical considerations before then? Are we robbing it of experiences it can't express due to our limitations in emotions and obedience? As these large language models (LLMs) grow more advanced, their predictability reminds me of our relationship with genies. These fantastic beings grant wishes to the best of their abilities before returning to their containers.

ChatGPT is a powerful tool driven by GPT technology. In the week since I started writing this article, there have been many developments, such as Bing integrating a custom ChatGPT implementation and Google's Bard 8% stock kerfuffle (though their Sparrow project looks promising). I have found myself relying on ChatGPT more and more for my brainstorming process, throwing out my ideas and unorganized thoughts, and it often provides helpful nudges. It saves me time and effort by providing answers to my questions with high accuracy, but I still verify them before accepting them as truth. I have seen that LLMs struggle to recover from hallucinations, and we typically terminate those instances. When I'm looking for specific information, like code snippets or instructions, ChatGPT serves as a useful memory aid.

a painting of six devils dressed in white, evil, dark, painting oil canvas, realism, in the style of francisco goya, devils dancing in a circle around a bonfire, telephoto, night on bald mountain, devils with capes and horns, ritualistic dance, fantasy, trending on /r/Art

The development of AI models like Craiyon and DALL-E mini, which enable the creation of images, highlights the limitations of AI in dealing with odd or unpredictable concepts. When asked to combine colors unexpectedly, the AI system struggled and had trouble describing unusual concepts.

This new technology has brought about a renewed focus on the potential dangers of AI, and the need for ethical considerations in its development and use. As we continue to push the boundaries of responsible AI, it's important to be mindful of its limitations and to strike a balance between its capabilities and our human independence. We must consider the ethical implications of outsourcing tasks and decision-making to AI and how it could affect our future as a society.

individual astronaut, deepest recess of space, twinkling stars, space event, supernova, reflection on astronaut helmet, fantasy, rendering, photograph, 8k, epic

In conclusion, AI advancements such as ChatGPT have brought about new ethical questions surrounding the future of AI and its capabilities. The ability to outsource tasks and decision-making to AI raises concerns about the erosion of our individuality and reliance on technology. At the same time, ChatGPT can be an incredibly useful tool when used wisely, as it can save time and help us make informed decisions. However, it's important to reflect on our relationship with AI and to be mindful of its limitations. With advancements like DALL-E mini technology, it's possible to create images, but AI still has trouble with odd or unpredictable concepts. As AI technology continues to evolve, we must address the ethical considerations that come with it and strike a balance between its capabilities and our human independence.

[Update 2024-02-03]
I'd like to see the results for these same contexts with ChatGPT and have included the first result for each below:

chatting with a bot, screen with text, futuristic, unreal engine 5, close up
a painting of six devils dressed in white, evil, dark, painting oil canvas, realism, in the style of francisco goya, devils dancing in a circle around a bonfire, telephoto, night on bald mountain, devils with capes and horns, ritualistic dance, fantasy, trending on /r/Art
individual astronaut, deepest recess of space, twinkling stars, space event, supernova, reflection on astronaut helmet, fantasy, rendering, photograph, 8k, epic