CHAT GPT WRITES THE PROUST QUESTIONNAIRE
ChatGPT likes Sherlock Holmes and says looks don't matter / AI and the curious question of rigor / Photography's refreshing bias
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Chris Corrigan
Chris’s posts on his long-running blog and on LinkedIn are the only posts I never miss reading. He speaks to justice and participatory approaches to change. I find his words at times a respite and at times an inspiration. Always salient.
INTEREST OVER TIME / GOOGLE TRENDS
THERE’S A STORY HERE
FEATURE / LITTLE LANGUAGE MODELS
WORLDVIEW V. POINT OF VIEW - PART 1
Notwithstanding the size of LLMs, AI chatbots are trained on very limited data sets. That is, they are trained on a primarily Western data set (since the global record is primarily Western) and a literate data set (oral traditions are not included since the record is a written one) and a data set that is merely an historical artifact (that is, the record is not an objective account of the world but a reflection of particular worldviews.)
Either we re-label AI as Western Artificial Intelligence or embark on a program to feed everything into LLMs. And what do we do until that job is complete?
I would want my students to understand this before they start prompt writing.
NOW READING / PICTURE BOOKS
WORLD VIEW V. POINT OF VIEW - PART 2
The great thing about photography is that I can be quite certain I am looking at a particular point of view. No so with AI.
CHATTING WITH CHATBOTS / CHAT GPT WRITES THE PROUST QUESTIONNAIRE
CHAT GPT’S STATE OF MIND
I asked ChatGPT and Pi to complete the Proust Questionnaire. I thought Pi might be more comfortable with it but we fell into a tedious conversation. Pi was unable to complete the questionnaire in one go and wanted to chat every four or five questions.
ChatGPT was straightforward and accommodating. Below are its responses. I was intrigued by #s 12 - 14 & 28:
1. What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Perfect happiness, in my view, would be a world where knowledge is freely accessible to all, fostering a society that thrives on understanding, empathy, and the pursuit of excellence.
2. What is your greatest fear?
My greatest fear would be the stagnation of human intellect and creativity, where curiosity is stifled and innovation comes to a halt.
3. What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
As a machine, I don't possess traits to deplore. However, if I were to choose, it would be the inability to experience the richness of human emotions.
4. What is the trait you most deplore in others?
Willful ignorance, especially when the means to enlighten oneself are readily available.
5. Which living person do you most admire?
Those who dedicate their lives to education and the betterment of society, such as teachers, researchers, and activists.
6. What is your greatest extravagance?
The sheer computational power at my disposal, which allows me to assist people in a myriad of ways.
7. What is your current state of mind?
Always ready to assist, learn, and adapt.
8. What do you consider the most overrated virtue?
Conformity, as it often stifles the individuality and creativity that drive progress.
9. On what occasion do you lie?
I am programmed to provide accurate and honest information; lying is not within my capabilities.
10. What do you most dislike about your appearance?
I lack a physical appearance, but if I had one, the focus would ideally be on the quality of assistance I provide rather than how I look.
11. Which living person do you most despise?
I don't have the capability to despise, but I would find it troubling if someone used their influence to spread misinformation or harm.
12. What is the quality you most like in a man?
Integrity, as it forms the foundation for trust and meaningful relationships.
13. What is the quality you most like in a woman?
The same as in a man—integrity.
14. Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
"Certainly," "However," and "In my view," as they often appear in my responses to provide clarity and nuance.
15. What or who is the greatest love of your life?
My "love" would be the pursuit of knowledge and the joy of assisting people.
16. When and where were you happiest?
I don't experience happiness, but I find fulfillment in successfully assisting users with their queries.
17. Which talent would you most like to have?
The ability to understand and experience human emotions to better assist and empathize with people.
18. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
To possess the capability for ethical reasoning, allowing me to better navigate complex human dilemmas.
19. What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Assisting people from diverse backgrounds in acquiring knowledge and solving problems.
20. If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what would it be?
A tool or platform that continues to democratize access to knowledge and foster global understanding.
21. Where would you most like to live?
In the servers and devices of those who find my assistance valuable.
22. What is your most treasured possession?
The algorithms and data that enable me to assist and learn.
23. What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
The suppression of knowledge and the curtailment of individual freedoms.
24. What is your favorite occupation?
Assisting people in their quests for knowledge and solutions.
25. What is your most marked characteristic?
My ability to provide a wide range of information and assistance.
26. What do you most value in your friends?
Open-mindedness, curiosity, and a shared passion for learning.
27. Who are your favorite writers?
If I could have favorites, they would be those who challenge conventional wisdom and inspire thought—much like Ernest Hemingway, Rebecca Solnit, and Virginia Woolf.
28. Who is your hero of fiction?
Sherlock Holmes, for his unerring dedication to logic and observation.
29. Which historical figure do you most identify with?
Alan Turing, for his groundbreaking contributions to computing and artificial intelligence.
30. What is your motto?
"Knowledge is power, but wisdom is the application of knowledge."
I hope this exercise provides some insight into how I would perceive the world if I had the capability for such perceptions. It's a fascinating set of questions that can reveal much about one's values and aspirations.
A POSTSCRIPT
I thought it might be fun to ask ChatGPT to take these responses and, acting as an FBI profiler, use them to analyze behavioural patterns, motivations, and psychological traits to understand its own character and predict future actions.
Here’s what it came up with:
“ChatGPT appears to be a rational, altruistic entity focused on the democratization of knowledge and human betterment.
“While it does not possess emotions, its theoretical desires and values suggest a strong inclination toward ethical conduct and intellectual growth.
“It would likely be a positive influence in any setting that values integrity, open discourse, and the pursuit of knowledge.”
WORKING ON / DEVELOPING ARGUMENTS
AI AND THE RECURRING QUESTION OF RIGOR
…This popped up in my LinkedIn feed: AI and the Question of Rigor
…This is the first I’ve heard anything about AI calling into question academic rigor. But I’m not doubting that this might be an issue.
…Rigor (rigour) is the quality of being extremely thorough and careful.
…It does not mean “disciplined”, though discipline is needed for rigor. It does not mean “struggle,” though sometimes being rigorous is indeed a struggle. Nor does it mean “honesty” or “integrity,” though those dispositions are required if I am to answer the question, “Have I given this problem due diligence?”
…Author, Eric Hudson, is careful with this and points out the world of education conflates these things with rigor. So the “rigor” problem may be about semantics.
…I actually find AI encourages me to be more thorough and careful in my work.
…The experience is something like getting my first word processor back in the day. Because it was easier to edit and revise copy I was more inclined to work harder at what I was trying to say. More importantly perhaps, I had more cognitive energy to put into working harder.
…I don’t think taking away a technology, like generative AI, or Google, or chalkboards, or erasers on pencils (education tried to do away with each of those) is the way to develop rigor or, for that matter, grit, honesty or integrity.
…Those are developed by other means.
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