How to Get Better Results from ChatGPT

ChatGPT is a generative large language model AI composed of deep learning algorithms trained on enormous databases of textual information, much of it sourced from the internet. It understands complicated language patterns and responds conversationally to natural language queries. Whether like science fiction author Ted Chiang, you believe that ChatGPT offers up “blurry” hallucinations that should make you question the accuracy of the answers it returns, or, like the rest of the world, hallucinatory or not, you are gearing up for AI triumph, it behooves you to know how to get the best results from the newest business tool at your disposal. ChatGPT and other available chatbots on the market are changing how businesses utilize AI. In the near future, having experience with and improving efficiency from working with AI will be a must-have job skill.

Article Summary

ChatGPT Is a Blurry JPEG of the Web

Large language models provide blurry AI answers because of their dependence on “lossy” compression.

Ted Chiang The New Yorker

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Prompting AI

Although natural language is context-dependent and nuanced, engineers have evolved a machine-learning AI that learns as it goes without needing to be programmed. That said, there’s an old coder’s motto: “garbage in, garbage out,” and this phrase applies to using ChatGPT. What you get out of a program reflects the quality of its inputs. A “prompt” is the question, statement or instruction a user provides as a starting point for a conversation with ChatGPT. A well-crafted prompt can guide AI to compose a more creative answer while ensuring greater factual accuracy.

ChatGPT is so good at this form of interpolation that people find it entertaining: They’ve discovered a ‘blur’ tool for paragraphs instead of photos, and are having a blast playing with it.

Ted Chiang

GPTbot.io’s guide “Mastering ChatGPT: How to Craft Effective Prompts” illustrates simple ways to improve your results from the technology. The more clarity you put into your question, the more precise the answer you will get back. While it may take some time to formulate questions, it’s time well spent. You’ll end up saving time by getting higher-quality results sooner.

How to Craft Prompts for Creativity

While ChatGPT can’t write a novel, it can help novelists develop their ideas by helping them brainstorm, given characters and setting and some guidance about the plot. Break more complex requests into component parts. Keep your prompts concise; you want the AI to understand what to focus on. For instance, you could describe a character’s main traits and overriding motivation as you ask ChatGPT to explore a scenario. Ask ChatGPT to deepen and refine answers or give you examples. Role-play with ChatGPT by defining who you each are within an interaction.

For instance, ChatGPT is a master chef and you are a beginner. Ask it to teach you to cook a gourmet dish ‘with a unique twist.’

GPTbot.io’s guide recommends beginning your session with a “system message” so you don’t need to constantly restate the context for your questions. Define ChatGPT as an authority, for instance: “You are an expert gardener. What is the best way to grow tomatoes.” Or ask for a detailed workout program by defining ChatGPT as a talented fitness expert, then asking it to consider all aspects of your health along with any limitations, for instance, no access to a gym. Take advantage of InstructGPT training by asking ChatGPT to consider a proposition systematically before coming to a conclusion.

Recognize the importance of prompts as the foundation for effective communication with ChatGPT, setting the context and expectations for the AI’s response.

Mastering ChatGPT Guide

Content producers will get further if, instead of prompting with an open-ended statement such as “explain climate change,” you ask for more specific causes and solutions. As your interaction continues, provide feedback to give the AI more context for its answers. If the response you’re getting is complicated, ask ChatGPT to simplify it.

Be explicit in the output you’re looking for. The more explicitly you can define your expectations, the more precise your results will be. Request a final word count and what you expect to be able to read, for instance, an article summary of up to 150 words with main points and conclusions. Formatting a request for ad copy in a way that specifies how long the content should be, the name and purpose of the product as well as various pain points and a final call to action will get you much closer to the result you want.

Book Summary

What To Do When Machines Do Everything

Intelligent systems – known as “the new machine” – can boost your career, your company and your future.

Malcolm Frank, Paul Roehrig and Ben Pring Wiley

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ChatGPT can be a powerful tool to collaborate or create with, but just remember its limitations too, and double-check your results for accuracy.

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