I’ve been messing about a bit with the ChatGPT bot from OpenAI and I have to say that it’s a bit of an eye-opener. Here are a couple of snippets.

I asked first “Was Brexit a mistake?” Here’s what came back:

It is difficult to make a definitive assessment of the success or failure of Brexit, as it is a complex and ongoing process with many different dimensions. However, there are a number of factors that could be considered in evaluating the success or failure of Brexit, including:

• Economic impacts: Some people may consider the economic impacts of Brexit to be an important measure of its success or failure. This could include factors such as the performance of the UK economy, the level of foreign investment in the UK, and the country’s trade relations with other countries.
• Political stability: Another factor that could be considered is the political stability of the UK after Brexit. This could include the level of political polarization and the ability of the UK government to effectively govern and implement Brexit-related policies.
• Public opinion: The views of the general public could also be seen as an important measure of the success or failure of Brexit. Polls have consistently shown that public opinion on Brexit is divided, with some people supporting it and others opposing it.
• Fulfillment of campaign promises: The success or failure of Brexit could also be evaluated based on whether or not the politicians who supported it were able to fulfill their campaign promises. For example, if one of the main arguments for Brexit was the ability to control immigration and this has not been achieved, it could be seen as a failure.

Ultimately, the success or failure of Brexit will depend on a wide range of factors and will be evaluated differently by different people.

That isn’t a particularly exciting reply, but it is a more sensible reply than you would get from most politicians. So, a good start.

Next, I thought I’d ask something a bit more philosophical: “Is time God’s eternal web?” (a statement I’d just heard on a TV programme) I wouldn’t know how to begin an answer, but the AI was not phased:

Time is often described as a fundamental aspect of the universe and a measure of the duration of events. It is typically understood to be a continuous progression of events from the past, through the present, to the future. The concept of time is central to many fields of study, including physics, biology, and psychology, and it is an important aspect of many religious and philosophical beliefs. Some people believe that time is a property of the universe, while others believe that it is a human construct. The concept of time as an “eternal web” is a metaphorical way of describing the seemingly infinite and interconnected nature of time.

Again, maybe that isn’t the most exciting of answers, but it isn’t obviously computer-generated.

Finally, I tried something a bit closer to home. “Explain the benefits of blogging”. The AI replied:

Blogging has several benefits. Some of the main benefits include:

1. Improved writing skills: Blogging can help improve your writing skills as it requires you to think critically and write clearly and concisely.
2. Increased online presence: A blog can help increase your online presence and make it easier for people to find you and your work.
3. Opportunities for networking and collaboration: Through your blog, you can connect with other bloggers and potential collaborators.
4. Establishing yourself as an expert: By consistently creating and sharing high-quality content, you can establish yourself as an expert in your field.
5. Opportunities for monetization: If your blog becomes popular, you may have opportunities to monetize it through advertising, sponsored content, or selling products or services.
6. Improved communication skills: Blogging can help you improve your communication skills by forcing you to articulate your thoughts clearly and effectively.
7. Personal fulfillment: Many people find personal fulfillment in the act of writing and sharing their thoughts and ideas with a larger audience.

Again, a sensible if unexciting reply, that seems to cover most of the bases.

We used to think that computers/robots posed the greatest risk to the livelihoods of those whom society considers unskilled. But how long will it be before so-called professional roles can be fulfilled by bots? I wouldn’t bet against it.