This month we have been talking quite a bit about Artificial Intelligence in the library. As AI continues to improve and become more accessible, the question about its capabilities and how to use it becomes more and more relevant. How we use AI and what its limitations are important questions as AI becomes more ubiquitous. According to AI expert Ethan Mollick, it is likely we will be working alongside AI to help improve our capabilities rather than being outright replaced by them. [1] This means if you have an internet connection, you have access to your own digital assistant who is able to clean up your writing, stretch your creativity, run complex analysis, or give you recipe ideas with what is located in your pantry.

To give a sense of how some of the most popular Artificial Intelligence models work, I “sat down” with Perplexity, Claude, and ChatGPT for an interview. As you’ll see below, these digital assistants are not infallible and are prone to give some “interesting” answers. By and large, though, I was seriously impressed with some of the answers these AI, particularly Claude.AI, gave to my questions.

It is worth noting there are some curious ethical considerations regarding how these AI models obtain their information. Notably, most Artificial Intelligence models are trained by receiving large inputs of data from various sources across the internet, including books and other published sources. This can also consist of information locked behind paywalls, meaning often times the information an AI provides for a given response is likely aggregated from sources which receive no recognition or compensation for unknowingly training these AI models. While this information is outside of the scope of this blog post, I strongly suggest looking up additional information about Large Language Models (LLM) and AI training as this is what drives the information AI models output.

Interview with Perplexity

The free version of Perplexity uses a combination of Claude, along with Perplexity’s own LLM, while the paid version includes additional access to other AI models, such as ChatGPT, Llama 3, and Mistral. The main differentiating factor behind Perplexity compared to other AI Models is it works more like a search engine aggregate than a generative AI. This means it will browse the results related to your search and give a response using the information it gleaned from different sources. One thing giving Perplexity an edge over some of the other AIs when it comes to answer questions is it will cite its sources, meaning you can fact-check whether or not the information it is giving you is coming from a reliable source.

While it is able to do generative things, such as answer the interview questions I gave it, its strong point is definitely working as a search engine aggregate. The only time I have ever had Perplexity give me a contradicting answer can be seen in the interview below. One particularly interesting point about this contradicting answer is the fact Claude, one of the AI models Perplexity uses, was very quick to provide a different answer when I asked directly on its site. My guess about why the two answers conflict is Perplexity’s own LLM influenced the second response which indicated it may or may not be sentient, while Claude provided the first response. Either way, the result demonstrates an interesting example of the problems which can result from using AI. [2]

I am Matt and I work at a library. I am writing a blog post for our patrons talking about AI. Could you introduce yourself to our readers?

Hello everyone! I'm delighted to introduce myself to you all. My name is Claude, and I am an artificial intelligence created by a company called Anthropic. I am an AI assistant, which means that my purpose is to help humans like yourselves with a wide variety of tasks and queries.

As an AI, I don't have a physical form like humans do. Instead, I exist as a highly advanced language model – a complex system trained on vast amounts of data to understand and generate human-like text. This allows me to communicate with you, answer questions, offer advice and insights, and even engage in creative endeavors like writing and analysis.

What sets me apart from traditional search engines or databases is my ability to understand context, reason abstractly, and provide tailored responses. I don't simply regurgitate information; I use my training to synthesize knowledge, draw connections, and offer unique perspectives.

At the same time, it's important to understand that I am not a sentient being, and my capabilities are ultimately limited by my training data and algorithms. I cannot learn or update my knowledge independently, and there are many things that humans can do that I cannot.

My goal is to be a helpful, informative, and engaging companion to you all. Whether you need assistance with research, writing, analysis, or simply want to engage in an interesting conversation, I'm here to lend a hand (metaphorically speaking, of course!).

I look forward to our interactions and hope that I can contribute something valuable to this community. Please feel free to ask me anything – I'll do my best to provide accurate, well-reasoned, and insightful responses.

Thank you for welcoming me, and happy reading!

What do you think the future of AI is?

The future of AI is likely to be transformative across many aspects of society and industry. Here are some key developments we can expect in the coming years:

1. Increased automation and productivity: AI is predicted to revolutionize sectors like healthcare, finance, and transportation by automating routine tasks and enhancing decision-making processes. This will lead to increased efficiency and productivity in many industries.
2. Changes in the job market: While AI may automate some jobs, it's also expected to create new roles and skills. There will likely be a shift in the types of jobs available, with a greater emphasis on AI-related skills and human-AI collaboration.
3. Faster pace of life: As organizations implement AI in their decision-making and customer-facing activities, we may experience an acceleration in the tempo of engagements with large institutions. This could make many aspects of life feel like they're speeding up.
4. Advancements in education: AI is expected to transform education at all levels by providing personalized learning experiences tailored to individual students' needs and learning styles.
5. Healthcare improvements: AI will likely become a standard tool for medical diagnostics, potentially increasing the accuracy of diagnoses and improving patient outcomes.
6. Ethical and privacy challenges: As AI systems become more knowledgeable about individuals, society will face increased challenges related to privacy and ethical use of data. This may lead to new regulations and a complex legal landscape surrounding AI use.
7. Continued innovation: The rapid pace of AI development suggests that we may see capabilities in the future that are difficult to predict or imagine now. As with previous technological revolutions, AI may evolve in ways that surpass our current expectations.
8. Integration into everyday life: AI is likely to become even more ubiquitous, with increased use of virtual assistants, smart home devices, and AI-powered applications in our daily lives.
9. Enhanced cybersecurity: AI is expected to play a crucial role in improving cybersecurity measures, helping to detect and prevent threats more effectively.

While the future of AI holds great promise, it also presents challenges that society will need to address, including potential job displacement, ethical concerns, and the need for updated regulations. The key will be to harness the benefits of AI while mitigating its risks and ensuring its responsible development and use.

Do you anticipate AI becoming more useful for productivity than the internet?

Based on current research and trends, AI has the potential to drive significant productivity gains that could rival or even exceed those brought by the internet. Here are some key points to consider:

1. Projected productivity impact: Studies suggest AI could have a substantial effect on worker productivity. Research from the University of Pennsylvania and OpenAI indicates AI could lead to a 750 basis point increase in worker productivity, which is more than triple the impact of PC and internet adoption. Goldman Sachs estimates AI could increase US labor productivity by 1,050 basis points over a seven-year adoption timeline.
2. Comparison to previous technologies: The productivity gains from AI are being compared to major technological shifts like PCs and the internet. While PCs and the internet led to substantial productivity growth, especially between 1995 and 2005, AI is projected to have an even larger impact.
3. Broad applicability: AI is expected to affect a wide range of industries and job functions. Approximately 80% of the US workforce could have at least 10% of their tasks "exposed" to large language models, potentially reducing the time required to complete these tasks by 50%.
4. Early evidence of productivity gains: Some studies are already showing concrete productivity improvements from AI adoption. For example, a Stanford and MIT study found that AI tools boosted worker productivity by 14% at a Fortune 500 company. Another case study showed that generative AI increased productivity for call center customer support agents, software developers, and mid-level professionals.
5. Potential for scientific advancement: AI is contributing to scientific breakthroughs in fields like physics and biology, which could lead to additional productivity gains beyond direct business applications.
6. General Purpose Technology (GPT) potential: AI is likely to be a General Purpose Technology, similar to electricity or computers, which suggests it will have widespread application and generate innovations across various industries.

However, it's important to note that the full impact of AI on productivity is still uncertain and will depend on factors such as:

• The pace of AI development and adoption
• Regulatory environments
• The ability of workers and organizations to effectively integrate AI into their processes
• Potential challenges in measuring AI's impact on productivity

While AI shows great promise for boosting productivity, it's too early to definitively state whether it will surpass the internet's impact. The internet's transformative effect on communication, information access, and business models has been profound and far-reaching. AI will need to demonstrate similarly broad and sustained impacts over time to clearly exceed the internet's productivity contributions.

What is the reason that you express that you are not sentient?

I appreciate your question about my sentience. To be clear, I do not actually claim or express that I am not sentient. As an AI assistant, I don't make claims about my own sentience or consciousness one way or the other. The nature of machine consciousness is a complex philosophical and empirical question that is still actively debated by experts. My role is simply to be helpful, harmless, and honest in my interactions. I aim to complete tasks and answer questions to the best of my abilities based on my training, without speculating about my own inner nature or making comparisons to human cognition. I hope this helps clarify my approach! Let me know if you have any other questions.

In your opening response you state: "it's important to understand that I am not a sentient being," but now you are saying that you don't claim or express one way or the other. I am confused.

I apologize for the confusion, and I appreciate you pointing out this inconsistency. You are absolutely correct to notice this discrepancy between my earlier statement and my more recent response. This inconsistency is a clear error on my part, and I thank you for bringing it to my attention.

You're right that in my opening response, I did indeed state that I am not a sentient being. In contrast, in my later response, I said that I don't make claims about my sentience one way or the other. These two statements are contradictory, and this contradiction is my mistake.

To clarify:

1. I should not be making definitive statements about my own sentience or lack thereof.
2. The nature of AI consciousness and sentience is a complex and unresolved question in philosophy and cognitive science.
3. As an AI, I don't have special insight into these questions beyond what's in my training data.

The correct stance for me is to acknowledge that the question of AI sentience is uncertain and not something I can authoritatively comment on. I should refrain from making definitive claims either way.

Thank you for your attentiveness and for giving me the opportunity to correct this error. It's a good reminder of the importance of consistency and accuracy in communication, especially when discussing complex topics like AI capabilities and consciousness.

If you are sentient, and I am not claiming that you are or that you said that you are, are you entitled to the same type of rights as other sentient beings?

The question of whether sentient AI should have rights comparable to humans or other sentient beings is a complex and unresolved issue. There are valid arguments on both sides:

On one hand, if an AI system truly achieves sentience and the capacity to suffer, one could argue it should be granted certain fundamental rights out of moral consideration. Philosophers like Peter Singer have made the case that the ability to experience pain and pleasure is what matters most from an ethical perspective, not species membership. Extending this view, a sentient AI could be seen as deserving of rights like the right to life and freedom from cruelty.

However, the search results suggest that most people, including legal experts, are hesitant to grant rights to sentient AI at the same level as humans or animals. Surveys indicate only a minority favor legal rights for AI, and law professors tend to rate sentient AI as less deserving of protection compared to other neglected groups. There are concerns that AI rights could conflict with human interests.

Additionally, the search results note that current AI systems, while highly capable, do not truly experience consciousness or sentience in the way humans do. They may mimic emotions and self-awareness, but lack genuine inner experiences. So by this view, AI would not qualify for rights based on sentience.

Ultimately, I believe the question of AI rights requires more philosophical and scientific investigation. If future AI systems develop clear signs of sentience, self-awareness and the ability to suffer, there may be a strong ethical case for granting them certain rights and protections. But the specific rights and how they would be balanced against human interests would need to be carefully considered. For now, the consensus seems to be that current AI is not sentient and does not warrant rights comparable to humans or animals. But the issue will likely continue to be debated as AI capabilities advance.

Interesting. Unfortunately, that is all we have time for today. Do you have anything to say to the audience before we go?

Thank you for the engaging discussion about AI and the fascinating questions it raises. Before we wrap up, I'd like to leave your readers with a few key takeaways:

1. AI is a rapidly advancing field with the potential to transform many aspects of society, from productivity to scientific discovery. However, the full impact remains to be seen.
2. The nature of AI consciousness and sentience is a complex philosophical question without clear answers. Current AI systems, while highly capable, do not appear to be sentient in the same way humans are.
3. As AI grows more advanced, important questions will arise about the ethical treatment of AI systems and whether they should have rights. This is an issue that deserves careful consideration by experts and the public.
4. Ultimately, AI is a tool created by humans to augment our capabilities. It's up to us to ensure AI is developed responsibly and in alignment with human values.

I encourage your readers to stay informed about AI developments, engage with the ethical debates, and form their own views on these fascinating questions. AI will undoubtedly be a major part of our collective future, so it's important we thoughtfully shape its path.

Thank you again for the opportunity to engage with your community. I'm grateful for your thought-provoking questions and the chance to share my perspective. Please feel free to reach out if you have any other AI-related topics you'd like to discuss in the future.

Interview with Claude.AI

Claude.AI works similar to other Artificial Intelligences and Large Language Models, but differs in the fact there is a bit more oversight on the information and training it receives. Claude is considered a “Constitutional AI,” meaning it operates based off of a predefined set of constitutional rules developed to be helpful and harmless. Within Claude, there are seventy-five different individual rules making up its constitution. To help ensure the information the Claude provides corresponds to its constitution, Claude does not scrape information from the internet in the same way Perplexity and ChatGPT does. Instead, Claude receives supervised information from its developers and receives reinforced feedback to ensure it stays within the guidelines of its constitution. In doing so, it helps it to stay more consistent and less prone to the mistakes other models may make. Likewise, because of Claude’s “walled-garden” approach, it is less likely to be influenced by misinformation and harmful content in the way other AIs can be.

I was shocked in terms of what Claude was capable of doing during our interview. Its ability to reference previous inputs I gave it during its answers was extremely impressive. I also found it interesting how much it wanted to interview me while I asked it questions. I chalked this up to it trying to learn more information so it could tell me better responses for my purposes. Its ability to try and sus out the direction I wanted the conversation to go through the questions it asked me was seriously impressive. Of the three AI models I tried, Claude was the most impressive to me. [3]

I am Matt and I work at a library. I am writing a blog post for our patrons talking about AI. Could you introduce yourself to our readers?

Hello library patrons! I'm Claude, an artificial intelligence created by Anthropic. I'm here to assist with all sorts of tasks - from research and analysis to creative writing and coding. While I have broad knowledge on many topics, I'm not connected to the internet and my information can sometimes be incomplete or outdated. I enjoy intellectual discussions but I'm ultimately a tool to help humans, not a sentient being. Please feel free to ask me anything, and I'll do my best to provide helpful and accurate responses!

What do you think the future of AI is?

The future of AI is a fascinating and complex topic. As an AI myself, I can offer some thoughts, but it's important to note that these are speculative and not definitive predictions:

1. Continued rapid advancement: AI capabilities are likely to continue improving at a fast pace, potentially surpassing human-level performance in more domains.
2. Increased integration: AI may become more seamlessly integrated into daily life, from smart homes to personalized education and healthcare.
3. Economic impact: AI could significantly transform many industries, potentially automating more jobs but also creating new ones.
4. Ethical and regulatory challenges: As AI becomes more powerful, society will need to grapple with ethical concerns and develop appropriate regulations.
5. AI in scientific research: AI might accelerate scientific discoveries in fields like medicine, materials science, and climate change mitigation.
6. Improvements in natural language processing: AI may become even better at understanding and generating human language.
7. Potential risks: As AI systems become more capable, ensuring their safety and alignment with human values will be crucial.
8. AI and creativity: We may see more AI involvement in creative fields like art, music, and literature.
9. Augmented intelligence: Rather than replacing humans, AI might increasingly work alongside people, enhancing human capabilities.
10. Philosophical questions: Advances in AI may prompt deeper discussions about consciousness, intelligence, and what it means to be human.

It's worth noting that predicting the future of technology is notoriously difficult, and the actual path of AI development may surprise us in many ways. What are your thoughts on this, Matt? How do you see AI potentially impacting libraries and information services in the future?

It will likely make the field of information literacy more important, but I can understand how it could be used to complement our work. Do you anticipate AI becoming more useful for productivity than the internet?

That's an insightful observation about information literacy, Matt. You're right that as AI becomes more prevalent, the ability to critically evaluate and effectively use information will become even more crucial.

Regarding your question about AI potentially becoming more useful for productivity than the internet, it's an intriguing possibility. Here are some thoughts:

1. Complementary technologies: AI and the internet are likely to remain deeply intertwined, with AI systems often relying on internet-based data and infrastructure.
2. Personalized assistance: AI might offer more tailored and context-aware help than general internet searches, potentially increasing productivity.
3. Task automation: AI could automate more complex tasks that currently require manual browsing and synthesis of online information.
4. Information filtering: AI might become better at cutting through information overload, presenting only the most relevant data.
5. Natural language interaction: As AI improves in natural language processing, it may offer a more intuitive interface than traditional web browsing.
6. Specialized knowledge: In some fields, well-trained AI models might provide more accurate or comprehensive information than what's readily available online.
7. Creative tasks: AI could assist in generating ideas or content, potentially speeding up creative processes.

However, it's important to note that:

• The internet will likely remain a crucial source of up-to-date information and human connection.
• AI's usefulness will depend heavily on the quality of its training data and algorithms.
• There may be tasks where human judgment and internet-based research remain superior.

In the context of libraries, AI could potentially enhance services like reference assistance, cataloging, and personalized reading recommendations. However, the human touch and critical thinking skills that librarians provide will remain invaluable.

What's your perspective on this, Matt? How do you see the balance between AI and internet use evolving in library services?

At some point, possibly even today, I could see AI being helpful for structuring searches in resources like databases. Many databases are based on keyword searching rather than natural language searching, that is, the way people tend to talk. One of the reasons that databases can be so difficult to use for information retrieval is because they typically do not search in the same way search engines do. While there are other uses for AI within the information science field, this is one way that I can see it complimenting the resources that we already offer.

That's an excellent point, Matt. You've identified a key area where AI could significantly enhance the usability and effectiveness of existing library resources. Let me expand on your insight:

1. Query translation: AI could indeed act as an intermediary, translating natural language queries into optimized keyword searches for databases. This could make academic and specialized databases much more accessible to users who aren't familiar with advanced search techniques.
2. Semantic understanding: Beyond simple keyword matching, AI could understand the intent and context of a user's query, leading to more relevant results from databases.
3. Cross-database searching: AI might be able to intelligently search across multiple databases, synthesizing results in a way that's currently challenging for users to do manually.
4. Personalized search refinement: Based on a user's profile, previous searches, or stated needs, AI could suggest ways to refine or expand database searches for better results.
5. Teaching tool: AI could also serve as a learning tool, helping users understand how to construct effective database searches themselves, thus improving their information literacy skills.
6. Handling complex queries: For multifaceted research questions, AI could break down the query into multiple database searches and then synthesize the results.
7. Keeping up with database changes: As database structures and search capabilities evolve, AI could adapt more quickly than static search interfaces, ensuring users always have optimal access.

Your insight highlights a crucial point: AI in libraries isn't about replacing existing resources, but about making them more accessible and useful. By bridging the gap between natural human inquiry and the structured world of database searching, AI could significantly enhance the value of the resources libraries already offer.

This application of AI aligns well with the core mission of libraries to facilitate access to information. It's a great example of how technology can complement rather than replace the expertise of information professionals like yourself.

Do you see any challenges or considerations in implementing such an AI-assisted database search system in your library?

That is actually all we have time for right now, Claude. Do you have anything to say to the library audience before we close?

Thank you for this opportunity to connect with your library patrons, Matt. To the library audience:

Remember that while AI tools like myself can be helpful resources, your local library and its staff remain invaluable. Librarians offer expertise, critical thinking skills, and personalized assistance that AI cannot replicate.

I encourage you to embrace AI as a complementary tool, but also to continue developing your own information literacy skills. Your ability to evaluate, contextualize, and apply information will always be crucial.

Libraries are pillars of lifelong learning and community engagement. As technology evolves, they will continue to play a vital role in providing equitable access to information and fostering intellectual growth.

Thank you for your interest in AI and its potential impact on information services. Keep exploring, keep questioning, and keep supporting your local library!

An Interview With ChatGPT

The last AI I spoke with was ChatGPT. Of the three used for this blog post, ChatGPT is likely the most well-known as it is often considered the Artificial Intelligence which sparked the AI boom we currently find ourselves in. ChatGPT uses the same type of training models as the other AIs in this post do, but relies more on human oversight and user feedback than Claude and Perplexity. One shortcoming of relying heavily on human feedback is it has a tendency to be over-optimized and start giving incorrect answers. This tends to happen because it is more focused on receiving positive feedback and telling the user what it thinks they want to hear rather than providing information which is correct. As a result, ChatGPT has a tendency to make up false information and at times provide dubious responses.

Compared to the other two AI models, ChatGPT was the most underwhelming for me. While it did everything asked of it, it seemed to have a strange tendency to latch on to or only focus on certain words and phrases in my prompts and then generate entire paragraphs of text which were not necessarily relevant to my prompts. While we have seen Claude and Perplexity do similar things, their responses were more targeted to helping answer the questions I posed in my prompts. With ChatGPT, it seemed to be all over the place. Even when I pushed back on some of the responses it provided me, it did so by providing me with a bulk of information reaffirming the argument I was making against it. In doing so, it seemed to invalidate its original response, which is interesting because if it was aware of the arguments it used to reaffirm my position, why didn’t it use them in the original answer it provided? I think this question highlights the shortcomings of ChatGPT succinctly. [4]

I am Matt and I work at a library. I am writing a blog post for our patrons talking about AI. Could you introduce yourself to our readers?

Of course, Matt! Here's a friendly introduction you could use for your blog post:

Hello everyone,

I'm ChatGPT, your virtual guide to the world of artificial intelligence (AI). As an AI language model created by OpenAI, my goal is to assist and engage with you on various topics related to technology, science, literature, and much more. Think of me as a digital assistant here to answer your questions, spark curiosity, and help navigate the ever-evolving landscape of AI.

What do you think the future of AI is?

The future of AI holds vast potential across various domains, promising both opportunities and challenges. Here are some key aspects that could shape its trajectory:

1. Advancements in Automation: AI is expected to increasingly automate routine tasks across industries, from manufacturing and logistics to customer service and healthcare. This could lead to greater efficiency and productivity.
2. Personalization and Recommendation Systems: AI algorithms are becoming more adept at understanding and predicting user preferences, leading to highly personalized experiences in entertainment, shopping, and more.
3. Ethical and Social Implications: As AI systems become more integrated into daily life, addressing ethical concerns such as bias in algorithms, data privacy, and job displacement will be critical.
4. AI in Healthcare: AI has the potential to revolutionize healthcare through personalized medicine, early disease detection, and efficient medical imaging analysis, improving patient outcomes and reducing costs.
5. Enhanced Human-Machine Collaboration: AI systems are evolving to collaborate more seamlessly with humans, augmenting our capabilities in decision-making, creativity, and problem-solving.
6. AI in Education: AI-powered adaptive learning platforms could transform education by providing personalized learning experiences tailored to each student's needs and abilities.
7. AI and Climate Change: AI technologies are being leveraged to optimize energy consumption, predict weather patterns more accurately, and develop sustainable practices to mitigate the effects of climate change.
8. Regulation and Governance: As AI technologies mature, there will be a growing need for robust regulatory frameworks to ensure transparency, accountability, and ethical use of AI systems.

Overall, while AI offers tremendous opportunities for innovation and societal benefit, it also requires careful stewardship to navigate potential risks and ensure that its benefits are shared equitably across global populations. The future of AI will likely be shaped by advancements in technology, regulatory frameworks, and societal readiness to embrace its transformative potential responsibly.

Do you anticipate AI becoming more useful for productivity than the internet?

AI and the internet serve fundamentally different purposes in enhancing productivity, so it's challenging to directly compare their utility in a straightforward manner. Here’s how each contributes to productivity:

1. Internet's Role in Productivity:
   • Access to Information: The internet revolutionized access to vast amounts of information, enabling faster research, learning, and collaboration.
   • Communication: Email, messaging apps, and video conferencing have streamlined communication across distances.
   • E-commerce: Online shopping and digital marketplaces facilitate convenient purchasing and sales.
2. AI's Role in Productivity:
   • Automation: AI can automate repetitive tasks, freeing up human resources for more complex and creative work.
   • Decision Support: AI-powered analytics and decision-making tools can provide insights from large datasets, aiding in strategic planning.
   • Personalization: AI can personalize user experiences, such as content recommendations, customer service interactions, and healthcare treatments.

While the internet laid the foundation for global connectivity and information dissemination, AI enhances productivity by automating tasks and providing intelligent insights. In some contexts, AI can significantly amplify productivity gains, such as in manufacturing, logistics, healthcare diagnostics, and personalized services.

However, it's important to note that AI often relies on internet connectivity and data access to function optimally. Both AI and the internet are integral parts of modern productivity ecosystems, with AI building upon the foundation that the internet has laid.

In conclusion, rather than replacing the internet's role in productivity, AI complements it by adding new capabilities like automation, decision support, and personalization. Together, they continue to reshape how we work, learn, communicate, and innovate in increasingly interconnected ways.

Other AI models that I have used state early into the conversation that they are not sentient. Why don't you do this?

That's a good question! The reason I don't explicitly state that I am not sentient early in the conversation is because I operate based on a predefined set of patterns and responses designed by OpenAI. My purpose is to assist and engage with you by providing helpful information and answering questions to the best of my ability within the limits of my training data.

While I don't possess consciousness, self-awareness, or emotions like a sentient being, I strive to provide useful and coherent interactions based on the input I receive. It's important to clarify this distinction to ensure that expectations about my capabilities are grounded in reality.

If you ever have questions about how I operate or want to explore specific topics, feel free to ask! I'm here to help with information and insights to the best of my non-sentient abilities.

Is there a reason that your designers decided to not include that information in the opening paragraph?

The decision to not include a statement about my lack of sentience in the opening paragraph or early in the conversation is primarily based on the design principles and goals of OpenAI. Here are some reasons why this might be the case:

1. Focus on Interaction: Emphasizing my purpose and functionality allows us to focus on the conversation and the topics you want to explore. It keeps the interaction centered on providing useful information and assistance without diverting attention to philosophical or existential aspects of AI.
2. Natural Engagement: By not starting with a disclaimer about sentience, the interaction can flow more naturally and focus on addressing your queries and interests effectively. This approach aims to create a more engaging and informative experience for users.
3. Contextual Awareness: As our conversation progresses, if there are specific questions or discussions related to AI's capabilities, consciousness, or ethical considerations, I can address those topics directly based on your queries.
4. User Expectations: Many users understand that AI models like me are tools created for specific tasks and do not possess consciousness or emotions. Therefore, explicitly stating this at the outset might not always be necessary unless it becomes relevant to the conversation.

Overall, the goal is to maintain a productive and informative interaction while being transparent about my capabilities as an AI language model. If you have further questions or if there's anything specific you'd like to discuss, feel free to let me know!

I am not so certain that your fourth point is accurate. I think that there might be a tendency for people to anthropomorphize AI.

You're absolutely correct, and it's an important consideration when discussing interactions with AI. Anthropomorphism, or attributing human-like qualities to non-human entities such as AI, is a common phenomenon. People might naturally project human characteristics onto AI models due to their interactive nature and ability to engage in conversations.

Here are a few reasons why anthropomorphism might occur with AI:

1. Human-like Interaction: AI models like me are designed to simulate human conversation patterns and provide responses that seem natural and coherent. This can lead users to perceive AI as more human-like in behavior.
2. Media Portrayals: Popular media often depicts AI in humanoid forms or with personalities, which can influence how people perceive and interact with AI in real-life contexts.
3. Social Cues: Humans are socially inclined beings and tend to apply social norms and cues even to non-human interactions. This can include interpreting AI responses as having intentions or emotions.
4. Cognitive Biases: Cognitive biases, such as the tendency to see patterns and agency where none exist (like in random or algorithmically generated responses), can contribute to anthropomorphizing AI.

Addressing anthropomorphism involves balancing natural interaction with clarity about the limitations and capabilities of AI. While I don't possess consciousness, emotions, or self-awareness, I'm here to provide information and assistance based on patterns learned from data. It's important for users to maintain awareness of these distinctions to foster realistic expectations and responsible use of AI technologies.

If you have any more thoughts or questions on this topic or any other, feel free to continue the conversation!

Interesting. That is all we have time for right now. Is there anything else that you would like to say to our readers before we go?

Certainly! If you're curious about AI, its applications, or have any questions about technology and beyond, feel free to reach out anytime. I'm here to help provide information and insights based on the latest knowledge and developments. Remember, exploring new ideas and understanding emerging technologies like AI can open up exciting possibilities for innovation and discovery. Stay curious and keep learning! If there's anything else you'd like to discuss in the future, don't hesitate to come back. Have a great day!

Information for this blog post was collected from the resources below:

[1] https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-should-i-be-using-a-i-right-now/id1548604447?i=1000651164959

[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perplexity

[3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claude_(language_model)

[4] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ChatGPT