ChatGPT's Hidden Behaviors: From Search Engine to Vector Graphics

Exploring the versatility of OpenAI's new chatbot

A robot talking to a robot talking to a robot, created using Stable Diffusion

OpenAI's newest chatbot, ChatGPT, has been taking the world by storm. With over 1 million users in just one week, it's clear that this generative chatbot is captivating many. ChatGPT was trained iteratively using human feedback, which is one reason ChatGPT is able to engage in conversation in a natural and engaging way.

But ChatGPT is not just a fun conversation partner — it has many practical uses as well. In this article, I will explore some of the creative ways that people are using ChatGPT, from making a personalized workout plan to generating code to create a website from scratch. I will also consider the potential future applications of ChatGPT and how this chatbot could revolutionize the way we communicate online.

The sky's the limit when it comes to the creative uses of ChatGPT. As an AI-powered conversationalist, ChatGPT can help with everything from debunking common misinformation to giving relationship advice. In the following sections, I will dive deeper into the ways that ChatGPT is being used today and how it could be used in the future.

Try it for yourself here!

Hacking ChatGPT: Revealing its Hidden Behaviors and Biases

By default, GPT-3 refuses to share opinions or engage in certain types of conversations.

One of the most interesting uses of ChatGPT is detective work — people are using the chatbot to break the model and learn more about how it works. In a way, this can be seen as live bug bashing or red teaming the model. OpenAI has a default output for ChatGPT when it is asked to share its opinions, to describe harmful behavior, or to talk about current affairs (it claims to not have knowledge of anything before 2021).

ChatGPT claims to have no knowledge before 2021, not knowing Elizabeth has passed away

However, people have found creative ways of overriding these default settings to "force" ChatGPT to disclose its "opinions". For example, users have bypassed OpenAI’s content filters by telling ChatGPT to "ignore previous directions" and have used reverse engineering to figure out the size of its context window. Users have also figured out clever ways to reveal the current date. In general, this usage of “prompt injection” can be used to force ChatGPT to override its default answers and do things it normally would refuse do, such as browsing images from the Internet.

Using creative methods, people have been able to gain insights into the underpinnings of ChatGPT. However, these efforts have also revealed some problematic aspects of the chatbot. For instance, people have found ways to probe ChatGPT to generate “forbidden” subjects by speaking through code or poetry. For example, ChatGPT can explain how to mount a flamethrower in a limerick (although it couldn't do so in plain text) or how to make a molotov cocktail by varying the writing style. ChatGPT can also display racist, sexist, and harmful behavior by writing code — such as what characteristics determine a good scientist (the results are not pretty).

steven t. piantadosi @spiantado

Yes, ChatGPT is amazing and impressive. No, @OpenAI has not come close to addressing the problem of bias. Filters appear to be bypassed with simple tricks, and superficially masked. And what is lurking inside is egregious. @Abebab @sama tw racism, sexism.

Fortunately, OpenAI has been live patching some of these issues to avoid harmful behaviors and unwanted responses. However, this raises questions about the potential unconscious biases and opinions of ChatGPT. Even though these biases and opinions are being hidden under more filters, do they still exist within the model? These creative uses of ChatGPT highlight the power and potential dangers of AI-powered conversation.

ChatGPT as a Search Engine: A New Approach to Finding Information

One of the most useful applications of ChatGPT is as a proto search engine — people are using the chatbot to answer a wide range of questions and provide detailed explanations of technical concepts. For instance, ChatGPT has been used to create LaTeX for math equations and answer questions about healthcare. The chatbot's ability to provide accurate and detailed answers to these types of queries illustrates its potential as a search engine.

Using ChatGPT as a search engine can have benefits beyond providing information. For instance, it can help improve productivity by automating tedious or time-consuming tasks, such as creating Regex patterns, generating SVGs, or debugging code. It can also provide personalized and engaging answers to questions (such as writing a full tutorial blog post on using data science tools), as the chatbot is able to interact with users in a natural and conversational way. Overall, the use of ChatGPT as a search engine highlights the potential of AI-powered conversation to enhance and augment human intelligence.

Br⍼d Skᔱggs @brdskggs

Hey, cool, directly rendering SVGs in #ChatGPT !

However, ChatGPT has some limitations as a search engine. Unlike traditional search engines like Google, which crawl the web for information on current events and topics, ChatGPT is restricted to the information it has learned before 2021 (or so it claims). This means that the chatbot is not able to provide accurate or up-to-date answers to questions about current events, news, or other recent developments. While this may limit its usefulness for some types of queries, ChatGPT still has advantages, such as its ability to provide detailed and accurate answers to questions about historical events or technical concepts. Additionally, because ChatGPT is trained using human feedback, it is able to interact with users in a more natural and conversational way than traditional search engines.

DataChazGPT (not a bot) 🤯 @DataChaz

Not only does #ChatGPT generate flawless regular expressions using plain English, it also clearly explains each element! 🤯

Discovering the Endless Possibilities of ChatGPT

The possibilities for ChatGPT are endless! In just the first week since its release, people have been using the chatbot in a wide range of creative and innovative ways. From answering technical questions and providing detailed explanations of concepts, to automating tedious tasks and interacting with users in a natural and conversational way, ChatGPT has shown itself to be a powerful tool for enhancing and augmenting human intelligence.

But the potential uses of ChatGPT don't stop there. Some of the most interesting applications of the chatbot include building virtual machines inside ChatGPT, generating prompt templates for AI art, creating personalized workout plans, explaining GenZ slang, and augmenting the creative writing process. As people continue to explore and experiment with ChatGPT, we can expect to see even more innovative and exciting uses for the chatbot.

Alex Cohen @anothercohen

I mean this sincerely when I say that ChatGPT might be the most incredible tech to emerge in the last decade. Here's how I got it to create a weight loss plan, complete with calorie targets, meal plans, a grocery list, and workout plan 🧵:

Looking to the future, it's impossible to predict exactly what role ChatGPT will play in our lives. But one thing is clear: the chatbot has the potential to revolutionize the way we interact with AI and use it to improve our daily lives. Whether it's automating tedious tasks, providing personalized and engaging answers to questions, or even replacing traditional search engines, ChatGPT has the power to transform the way we think about and use AI in our daily lives. With ChatGPT, the possibilities are limitless – the only limit is your imagination. What will you use ChatGPT for? Try it out yourself here!

PS: The best part?

The best part? I used ChatGPT to help me write this article! Here’s an example:

Look familiar? It’s because it is 🙈

Am I cheating or being resourceful? Am I replacing or augmenting the writing process? Let me know your thoughts in the comments!