Myths about anything usually take time to spread. The rapid spread of myths pertaining to generative AI chatbots says a lot.
AI chatbots have become the most disruptive technology of the century almost instantly. Additionally, it is a technology that is the subject of controversy, some of which is genuine concern. However, myths are at the center of at least some of the debate.
As we look at the most common AI chatbot myths, let's separate fact from fiction.
1. AI Chatbots are Sentient
Although chatbots like ChatGPT and Bing Chat may be able to respond in a manner resembling that of a human, they are far from being sentient. This ability is not sentience but rather mimicry. To generate responses that are akin to human responses, these tools make use of enormous databases of text and images.
It is clever, complex, and one could argue that it has intelligence to some extent, but not sentience. Training these tools on huge amounts of data produces any "intelligence" they have. They are more like a powerful and adaptable database than a sentient being in this sense.
2. Chatbots Can Handle Any Type of Task or Request
Although chatbots are sometimes referred to as a technological "Swiss army knife," their capabilities are clearly constrained. Working with highly specialized or complex subjects reveals this. However, they can be thrown by even simple tasks.
For instance, you would think that tools like ChatGPT would be well-versed in the rapidly developing field of generative AI chatbots; however, when you try to inquire about one of its rivals, the limitations become immediately apparent:
We inquired: Which large language model is utilized by Google Bard?"
Now, just to be clear, ChatGPT is known to have restrictions on the age of the data it can refer to and other features. That question was purposefully constructed to reveal this. However, when comparing Google Bard to ChatGPT, we asked Bard the same question, and it also answered incorrectly:
Despite their cleverness, chatbots cannot complete any task and frequently fail to answer even the simplest questions.
3. Chatbots Are a Threat to Humanity
The issue here is that Robocop and productivity tools are being confused. Some people may be at risk of losing their jobs due to chatbots, and certain industries may be disrupted. However, to assert that they pose a threat to humanity as a whole would be an exaggeration.
In the end, AI is a new technology that needs to be closely watched to ensure that it stays safe and ethical. However, chatbots will not soon take over the world.
We couldn't have said it better than ChatGPT in this instance.
However, it would say so. Would it not?
4. AI Chatbots Are Infallible
The opposite is undoubtedly the case. Even though the tools themselves take great care to explain, they might produce incorrect data. The issue lies in the fact that large language models, or LLMs, are the backbone of generative AI chatbots.
Text in LLMs comes from a wide variety of sources, including social media posts and literature. The chatbots refer to this repository when providing answers. The responses they provide may reveal any factual inaccuracies in these.
AI hallucinations are a frequent type of error that all too frequently demonstrates how prone these tools are to error.
5. Chatbots Will Replace Human Interaction
The solution to this question can look back to the segment on consciousness. Chatbots are capable of imitating human responses, can competently (mostly) respond to factual inquiries, and can assist in numerous ways. However, they are unable to comprehend feelings, human experiences, or numerous conversational nuance.
Empathy, critical thinking, emotional understanding, and intuition are all necessary components of human interaction, which is a multilevel, complex process. generative AI chatbots lack none of these characteristics.
6. AI Generative Chatbots Are Only Good for Text Interactions
At the very least, this one rings true. However, AI generative chatbots have seen development that has extended their capabilities beyond text.
Multimodal chatbots, which are able to handle not only text but also other interactions like images, videos, and even voice commands, have recently emerged.
This myth has its origins in part in the rapid development of these tools. The initial iterations of this technology, which were primarily text-based, are already regarded as out of date due to the rapid expansion of its capabilities.
7. Chatbots Will Always Provide Unbiased Responses
Sadly, this is not the situation. AI chatbots always present the possibility of biased responses. The base of the issue can be followed back to the LLMs. Bias will always exist in the vast amount of data that chatbots refer to. Gender, race, nationality, and broader societal biases are examples of these biases.
Although developers make an effort to reduce bias in chatbot responses, the task is extremely difficult, and biased responses do occur. The number of biased responses will undoubtedly decrease as these "unbiasing" methods advance.
However, the possibility of biased responses remains unresolved at this time.
8. Chatbots Are Actually Real Humans
The most absurd myth is that every AI chatbot is actually a human. This one walks a fine line between conspiracy theory and myth; we won't go into detail about it other than to state that it is absurd.
9. AI Chatbots Can Program Themselves
Similar to how any piece of software must be programmed to perform particular functions, chatbots must be trained and programmed to perform their tasks.
Although AI chatbots use machine learning to improve their performance, they are unable to program themselves independently.
The testing of non-AI software could be compared to the training process. Preparing includes predefining their goals, planning their engineering, and helping them to create reactions in view of the information in the important LLM. Human intervention and programming expertise are still required for this entire advancement.
AI Chatbots: Separating Fact From Fiction
Myths have been perpetuated by the rapid adoption of these tools. There are some of them that are completely absurd, and there are also some of them that have a small amount of truth to them. It is abundantly clear that inaccurate information about AI chatbots needs to be dispelled.
We can better comprehend the true capabilities and limitations of these powerful tools by examining the facts and dispelling the myths. There are numerous other myths about AI in general that circulate quickly, and AI chatbots are not the only ones that do so.
