Become a ChatGPT Power User — Insider Secrets to Achieving Success with AI
Maximizing the Benefits of AI While Staying in Control
As you’ve landed on this article, I imagine you’re no stranger to ChatGPT. The curiosity that led you here suggests you’re quite familiar with this remarkable AI.
Cast your mind back to March 15, 2023. What were you doing on that fateful day? Ponder it, for someday your grandchildren may inquire, “What were you up to when GPT-4 made its grand debut?”
In this article, I will express my view of the true potential of ChatGPT, guiding you through an enlightening journey that will revolutionize the way you interact with AI. Together, we will uncover the hidden treasures of heuristics, learn to build viewpoints, and make informed decisions. By the end of this read, you’ll be empowered to harness the full power of ChatGPT, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation for AI and its capabilities.
Beyond Chat: ChatGPT’s True Potential
Some individuals might view ChatGPT as merely a chatbot. For instance, if you pose the question, “There are 10 birds on a tree, a gunshot killed one of them. How many are left?” It may respond with “9.” Subsequently, one could remark, “See! It’s just an AI after all.”
But attempting to “outsmart” the AI in this manner misses the point. Indeed, ChatGPT is an AI, but its purpose extends beyond providing amusement through conversation. Rather, it employs the chat interface to interact with us in a more meaningful way. We ought to appreciate its powerful information-processing capabilities and not fixate on superficial aspects that overlook its true potential.
Here are some prime examples of ChatGPT’s prowess in information processing:
Assisting with computer programming
Facilitating knowledge acquisition through Q&A
Providing high-quality translations between languages
Rewriting articles in specific styles
Refining content based on given criteria
Crafting poetry
Generating ideas, such as outlining articles or devising titles
Organizing or summarizing complex information
Preserving Human Touch in the AI Era
As AI continues to evolve and accomplish an increasing array of tasks, opinions differ on whether it enhances or diminishes the human value. Some argue that AI boosts productivity, while others contend that it’s replacing human roles in certain areas. The crux of the matter lies in how one chooses to utilize AI.
Mindlessly delegating tasks to AI without proper consideration can often yield disappointing results or even prove hazardous. Consider, for instance, drafting an email. ChatGPT can effortlessly rephrase your message using polite, eloquent language or even transform it into a poem if you wish. However, the recipient might use the same AI to condense your email into a few key points, effectively stripping away the beautiful prose and superfluous expressions. Does employing ChatGPT in such a manner truly make sense? Why not communicate the main points directly?
It’s crucial to remember that, regardless of AI’s capabilities, it serves as a tool for us to exploit. AI should be treated as an aide rather than our pilot. We must maintain control over it and harness its power to make more informed decisions.
Here are three primary use cases of ChatGPT:
1. The Swift Information Gatherer
In the era when Google reigned supreme (well, it arguably still does) in online information retrieval, the concept of “Search Quotient” (SQ) emerged, akin to IQ and EQ. However, compared to ChatGPT, traditional search now seems less efficient. With ChatGPT, there’s no need to filter, compare, verify, scan, or take notes from various web pages — it delivers the desired information in mere seconds.
Admittedly, its responses may not always be accurate, and occasional errors can occur. As such, verification remains necessary for those seeking absolute certainty. Nonetheless, we cannot overlook ChatGPT’s most significant attribute — its SPEED. Possessing a tool that consistently provides swift answers has the potential to revolutionize your approach to thinking and working.
2. Discovering What You Really Want
Once, I was trying to find the right place to hold my daughter’s birthday party. At first, I had no idea at all. But when I asked ChatGPT for ideas, it helped me realise that I didn’t want to handle food, decorations, and other details fully by myself. So, I focused on finding a venue that offered complete party packages.
Then, I asked ChatGPT follow-up questions, making sure the place had catering and cleanup services. This back-and-forth helped me understand what I really wanted and needed. Sometimes, we don’t know what we want until we get feedback from others. In the past, we might have asked friends, mentors, or professionals for advice. Now, ChatGPT can help us with this, easily and quickly.
3. Developing Opinions and Making Decisions
Often, I find people say that they can use ChatGPT to write articles. They simply ask, “Please write an article about this topic for me.” The result may be acceptable, but it lacks personal touch and feels like a waste of time. The main point is that we should control the process, with the AI only helping us find the best direction. In short, we need the AI to create in our own way.
The AI shares ideas, we choose
The AI offers information, we filter
The AI suggests, we decide
The AI creates noise, we ignore
Don’t focus too much on the wealth of information, long lists, or perfect grammar. Remember that as more people use AI like ChatGPT, your own opinions, insights, and style become even more important. You should be responsible for your work.
If everyone uses AI in this way, there’s no need to ban it in tertiary education. Our human touch will still shine through.
In the End
Those who are uninformed are unaware of AI.
Those with rigid thinking overlook AI
Superficial people fear AI
Wise people celebrate AI.
Please remember, you shouldn’t and won’t lose yourself in the face of AI. Put yourself first, use AI, but don’t rely on it. The role of AI is to amplify us, not to replace us.