ChatGPT is a conversational generative-AI service from OpenAI. It accepts natural-language prompts and generates new responses, primarily text. GPT means Generative Pretrained Transformer. section 1.0 section 1.1
At a high level, ChatGPT uses patterns in previously observed data to create output shaped by the prompt and by expectations of pleasing, accurate results. Its fluent responses should not be mistaken for unlimited capability or guaranteed accuracy. section 1.0 section 1.1
ChatGPT fits several overlapping descriptions:
- Generative AI: software that creates new media from observed data. section 1.1
- Language model: a model concerned with human language. section 1.1
- NLP system: technology for computers to understand, manipulate, and create human language. section 1.1
A creative prompt
Given “Write a haiku about snow falling on pines,” ChatGPT draws on patterns associated with haikus, snow, pines, and poetry to produce a novel haiku. section 1.1
Figure 1.2 Generative AI takes some input (numbers, text, images) and produces a new output (usually text or images). Any combination of input or output options is possible, and the nature of the output depends on what the algorithm was trained for. It could be to add detail, rewrite something to be shorter, extrapolate missing portions, and more.
Shows how generative AI maps inputs such as numbers, text, or images to new outputs, with the result shaped by training. section 1.1
