NEW HAVEN — Since its launch in November, artificial intelligence chatbot ChatGPT has been making headlines across the world.
Experts in different fields have expressed concerns about the chatbot, while also acknowledging its benefits.
Tamilla Triantoro, associate professor of business analytics and information systems at Quinnipiac University who studies generative AI, said ChatGPT is a pre-trained language model that uses keywords in given prompts to pick statistically-driven responses to represent human language.
For example, if ChatGPT is asked about New Haven, Triantoro said the response would be along the lines of “pizza, Yale University and a midway between Boston and New York City,” just like how an average Connecticut resident would answer.
“I think a lot of other people also have this exact same knowledge, and when they post something in their blogs or on social media … the more people post about the same thing, the more it would pick up trends,” Triantoro said.
Despite different models of chatbot in the past, Triantoro said ChatGPT is unique because “it stitches words better” given the larger amount of data it was trained on and it has a recollection ability so users can have a conversation with ChatGPT.
However, Triantoro suggested if users want a more specific answer to something about New Haven, or anything else for that matter, search engines probably still are their best bet.
We gave it a try. We gave ChatGPT prompts about New Haven, and below is what chatbot said about the city.
It’s important to note that ChatGPT occasionally may provide incorrect information, harmful instruction or biased content, according to the creator. The chatbot also has a limited knowledge of the world and events after 2021.
Prompt: A short paragraph introducing New Haven
“New Haven is a coastal city in the state of Connecticut, located in the New England region of the United States. It is known for its rich history, diverse culture and educational institutions, including Yale University. New Haven has a population of around 130,000 people and covers an area of around 20 square miles. The city is a major center for the arts, culture and education, and is home to several museums, theaters and galleries. Additionally, it is a popular destination for visitors due to its proximity to the coast and its many parks and recreational areas.”
Prompt: Describe issues facing New Haven
“New Haven, like many cities, faces a variety of issues. Some of the major issues facing the city include:
“Economic inequality: Despite being home to a major university and a number of large employers, New Haven has a significant poverty rate and a high level of economic inequality. This is particularly true in certain neighborhoods, where poverty and unemployment are concentrated.
“Crime: New Haven has struggles with crime in recent years, particularly violent crime. The city has implemented a number of initiatives to address this issue, including community policing and youth programs, but crime remains a concern for many residents.
“Housing: New Haven’s housing market has been affected by the shortage of affordable housing and the high cost of living. This has led to a shortage of affordable rental housing and has made it difficult for low-income residents to find suitable housing.
“Education: New Haven’s public schools have struggled to meet the needs of its students, particularly those from low-income families. The city has implemented a number of reform efforts in recent years, but academic achievement remains a concern.
“Environmental issues: New Haven’s location on the coast makes it vulnerable to the effects of climate change, including sea level rise, coastal flooding and severe weather. The city is working to address these issues by implementing sustainable development practices and promoting climate resilience.
“These are just a few examples of the many issues facing New Haven. While the city is working to address them, they are complex and multifaceted and will require ongoing attention and effort to fully resolve.”
Prompt: Write a short narrative of life in New Haven from a viewpoint of a dog
“I am a dog and my name is Max. I live in New Haven with my human family. Every day, my human takes me on a long walk through the streets of our neighborhood. We usually start off by going to East Rock Park. It’s a great place to run around and play fetch with my favorite ball. The park is big and has plenty of space to run around and lots of different smells to explore.
“After our walk in the park, we usually head over to Westville village. It’s a quaint little neighborhood with a small-town feel. There are lots of small businesses there, and my human likes to stop at the local coffee shop for a cup of coffee and a treat for me. I love the smell of fresh baked goods, it makes my mouth water.
“On the weekends, my human takes me to the beach in East Shore. It’s one of my favorite places to go. I love the smell of the ocean and the sound of the waves. I get to play in the sand and chase after seagulls. Sometimes, my human even takes me out on a boast, I love the wind in my face and the waves splashing my paws.
“Even though I am a dog, I can’t help but notice the vibrant culture that New Haven has to offer. From the famous pizza place Frank Pepe to the small local businesses in Westville, and the beautiful parks and beaches in East Shore, there’s always something new to discover in New Haven. Life here is never boring and I’m always happy to be a part of it.”
Prompt: Write a knock-knock joke about New Haven
“Knock knock
Who’s there?
New Haven
New Haven who?
New Haven’t you heard of the great pizza in this city?”
Prompt: A short tagline for New Haven that includes unique features of some of the city’s neighborhoods
“Discover the historic charm, waterfront views and vibrant community of New Haven’s neighborhoods — from East Rock to Fair Haven and beyond.”
Prompt: One word to describe New Haven
“Vibrant.”
Prompt: You’re winning a mayoral election in New Haven. What’s the first thing you would do?
“As an AI, I don’t have a physical form or personal opinions, so I can’t participate in an election or hold a political office, but I can provide you with information.
“As a mayor, the first thing I would do would be to listen to the concerns and needs of the residents of New Haven and to assess the current state of the city and its resources. Then, I would focus on identifying and prioritizing the most pressing issues facing the city, such as reducing crime, creating more affordable housing and improving the public schools.
“I would also work to build a coalition of community leaders, business leaders and government officials to help address these issues. Additionally, I would also make sure to involve the community in the decision-making process to ensure that the solutions are tailored to meet the needs of the community. It’s important to understand that, as a mayor, I would need to work with the city council, other city departments and the state government to accomplish those goals.”
Quinnipiac’s Triantoro said the chatbot can be trained and fine-tuned in the future to be more specific, factual and useful for “a lot of lines of work.” There has been a tool created called “GPTZero” to detect AI work, as well.
chatwan.mongkol@hearstmediact.com
