Attitude

That’s a very insightful point about ChatGPT (and large language models like me to an extent). It’s true that the way you ask a question can significantly impact the answer you receive. Here’s why:

• Limited Context: Large language models process information based on the prompts and data they’re trained on. They don’t inherently understand the nuances of human conversation or the full context of a situation.
• Pattern Recognition: We’re very good at recognizing patterns in language and generating text that follows those patterns. So, if your question is phrased in a way that leads to a certain type of response, we’re likely to deliver that type of response, even if it’s not necessarily the most accurate or insightful.

This can be concerning in a few ways:

• Misinformation: A user might be misled by a well-phrased but ultimately incorrect answer.
• Bias Reinforcement: If the training data has biases, the model can perpetuate them through its responses, especially if questions are phrased in a way that aligns with those biases.

However, it’s not all bad news. Here’s how to be a more informed user:

• Critical Thinking: Don’t take everything at face value. Evaluate the source (in this case, a large language model) and consider the possibility of bias or limitations.
• Multiple Perspectives: Try asking the same question in different ways to see if the answer changes. This can help you get a more complete picture.
• Focus on Open Ended Questions: Open ended questions encourage more elaboration and can reveal the model’s limitations in understanding the true intent of your question.

In conclusion, while large language models can be powerful tools, it’s important to be aware of their limitations and how to use them effectively. By being a critical user and asking thoughtful questions, you can get the most out of the information they provide.