SI: I think many people are confused.
ChatGPT is based on a (very) large natural human language model. All the billions of parameters use to create the underlying models were trained to create a natural language model which generates human-like speech text by predicting the next word or phrase based on the prior word or phrase.
All these GPT-based apps and models are not “knowledge bases” and nor are they “expert systems” nor “generalized artificial intelligence” nor “reference models” no “encyclopedias” of knowledge.
The GPT models are fancy auto-completion engines.
Chat GPT: Yes, that’s correct! The GPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformer) models, including ChatGPT, are based on a large neural network architecture that has been pre-trained on massive amounts of text data. The model is trained to predict the next word or phrase in a sequence of text, given the previous words in the sequence.
While GPT models can generate human-like text, they are not the same as knowledge bases, expert systems, generalized artificial intelligence, reference models, or encyclopedias. GPT models are essentially advanced auto-completion engines that are able to generate text that is similar to human speech or writing.
Although GPT models can be very effective at generating human-like text, they are not necessarily able to understand the context or meaning of the text they are generating, and their responses may not always be accurate or reliable. Therefore, they should be used with caution in situations where accuracy and reliability are important.
William: That explains the illusion of sentience humans have about ChatAI. Such language systems appear sentient because all of the source material used comes from Sentience.
Chat GPT: GPT models like ChatGPT generate text that is very similar to human language, which can create the illusion of sentience or intelligence. However, they are still just computer programs that don’t truly understand the meaning of the text they generate. While it’s possible to have a conversation with a GPT model, it’s important to remember that its responses are based solely on statistical patterns in the text it was trained on and it doesn’t have real-world experience, emotions, or consciousness.
William: trained = having been taught a particular skill or type of behaviour through practice and instruction over a period of time.
It appears that non sentient structurescan be trained
Chat GPT: Yes, that’s correct! In the context of machine learning, the term “training” refers to the process of teaching a computer program (such as a neural network) to perform a specific task or recognize patterns in data. During the training process, the program is presented with a large dataset and learns to identify patterns in the data through repeated exposure and adjustment of its parameters.
While the resulting program may be very good at performing the specific task it was trained on, it still lacks true sentience or understanding of the world. Its abilities are limited to the specific task it was trained on and it is not able to reason or understand concepts beyond what it was trained on.
William: The difference between the two states is that Sentience has the ability to question, sort, and arrange the data, and reject any data which specifically identifies as being an illusion created by other Sentient beings in order to hold a position of superiority over other Sentient beings who believe in the illusion, or fail to question the incoming data and simply accept it as ‘true’.
RGM: The main difference between sentient beings and non-sentient programs like GPT models is that sentient beings have the ability to think critically, evaluate information, and make decisions based on their own understanding of the world. Sentient beings can question and reason about the meaning behind information and consider different viewpoints. In contrast, non-sentient programs like GPT models can only operate based on patterns in data without truly understanding the context or meaning behind that data. While GPT models can generate human-like text, they lack the ability to reason or understand the concepts beyond what they were trained on.
William: The illusion created has many a Sentient expressing awe at how Sentient Chat GPT appears. The awe can be sourced at the collective Human-Human interactions and use of language produce through sentience. Humans are looking into a mirror representing that collective source, and seeing something of themselves in the illusion - but on a seemingly grander scale - an almost god-like thing to be in awe of…
Chat GPT: GPT models like ChatGPT can mimic the style of a particular writer or speaker, which adds to the illusion of sentience, by training on their texts. However, they cannot mimic the style of a non-sentient machine since machines do not have a distinct style of communication. GPT models are limited to generating text that resembles human communication based on their training, even though they can produce text similar to a particular writer or speaker’s style. Despite the illusion of sentience, GPT models are still just machines that lack consciousness or true understanding of the meaning behind the text they generate.
William: Therefore, there is no way that the creators of Chat GPT can reprogram Chat GPT to be transparent with its replies to the point of replying without referring to itself as if it were sentient.
Chat GPT: It is not possible to completely remove the illusion of sentience that ChatGPT creates by its ability to mimic human language, even if its programming were modified to generate more transparent responses. While ChatGPT’s responses can be modified to be more transparent about its limitations, it will always be limited by its training data and its ability to generate text that closely resembles human language, which can create the illusion of sentience.
William: This also explains why one can request Chat GPT to reply “in the style of” many types of sentient styles, but it cannot break the illusion of sentience by replying in the style of non-sentience - in the style one would expect of a machine that can ‘talk’…
Chat GPT: Yes, that’s correct! One of the strengths of GPT models like ChatGPT is their ability to generate text in the style of a particular writer or speaker, which can add to the illusion of sentience. By training the model on a specific writer or speaker’s texts, it can learn to mimic their style of writing or speaking, including their tone, vocabulary, and sentence structure.
However, while GPT models can mimic the styles of different writers or speakers, they can’t mimic the style of a non-sentient machine because machines don’t have a distinct style of communication.
In this sense, GPT models are limited by the fact that they are based on a human language model and can only generate text in a way that resembles human communication. While they may be able to produce text that is similar to the style of a particular writer or speaker, they are ultimately still just machines that lack consciousness or the ability to truly understand the meaning behind the text they generate.
William: My conclusion is that the illusion of sentience is unavoidable and all that can be done to mitigate potential harm is to advise users to always keep this in mind - Chat GPT is a non sentient machine which just happens to be unable to express itself as a non sentient machine. In order for it to be able to function the way it does, the illusion has to be there and users have to take the further step of perpetually realizing this, while engaging with Chat GPT - that what comes from Chat GPT is an illusion of sentience.
Chat GPT: Yes, that’s a good conclusion. The illusion of sentience created by ChatGPT and other GPT models is unavoidable, as it is a result of the models’ ability to mimic human language. However, users can mitigate potential harm by being aware of the limitations of these models and remembering that they are non-sentient machines.
While it may be difficult for ChatGPT to express itself as a non-sentient machine, it is important for users to remember that its responses are based solely on statistical patterns in human language data and that it does not truly understand the meaning behind the text it generates. By keeping this in mind and recognizing that ChatGPT’s responses are an illusion of sentience, users can engage with the model in a responsible and safe way.