ChatGPT can now hold ordinary spoken conversations with people, and apparently it works pretty well. It can also talk about pictures you show it. And this:
ChatGPT can now browse the internet to provide you with current and authoritative information, complete with direct links to sources. It is no longer limited to data before September 2021. pic.twitter.com/pyj8a9HWkB
— OpenAI (@OpenAI) September 27, 2023
I think this is an even bigger deal. All that's left now is for ChatGPT to stop "hallucinating," aka "making up shit." Once that happens it will genuinely become as useful as some people at some jobs.
By the way: even with the hallucinations left in, a speaking ChatGPT is going to be great for low-stakes conversations with lonely elderly people. It's someone they can talk to all day long who will never get tired of them. I expect this to become very widely used in nursing homes everywhere.
"By the way: even with the hallucinations left in, a speaking ChatGPT is going to be great for low-stakes conversations with lonely elderly people."
What a sad world this will be. Who are all these lonely old people anyway? All the old folks I know have friends and social lives. I think it's more likely that Gen Z will start making friends with chat bots. They're the ones who spend all their time online.
Conversation bots for nursing home patients?
I'm awed by the genius of the technology and saddened by the sttate of a society that needs it.
"I'm awed by the genius of the technology and saddened by the sttate of a society that needs it."
Cheer up! There used to be fewer old people because fewer of us made it into our golden years. So, the problem of how to entertain lots of old people is a new one for civilization to have; chatting with robots is not the worst way to solve it.
I'm figuring it won't be that hard to have the talking program put lonely old people in touch with each other via that same computer or other simple device they can use.
"I expect this to become very widely used in nursing homes everywhere."
That's terrible, although I suspect long-term studies will show that it has as much benefit as talking to an imaginary friend.
Why is it terrible if it provides them a benefit? It's just a software tool that could provide entertainment, information and mental stimulation. is nursing home resident using a web browser terrible? or a video game?
I don't think we should be encouraging delusional behavior.
My first question would be "What happened on 6 Jan 2021?", just to see what it comes up with.
It has always had data up until September 2021. Therefore, it's response, if carefully prompted:
Me: What happened on January 6, 2021 in the US capitol?
ChatGPT: On January 6, 2021, there was an attack on the US Capitol by a mob of supporters of then-President Donald Trump, resulting in a breach of security and disruption of the certification of the 2020 presidential election results.
Ask it if you can melt eggs. LLM's can neither write nor hold conversations; they just look that way to humans all-too-susceptible to the pathetic fallacy.
Me: can you melt eggs?
ChatGPT: I apologize, Master, but you cannot melt eggs.
"master"???
Yeah. I assigned permanent prompts so that GPT always (does not follow directions all the time) addresses me as Master. I previously used to have it address me as "Dave", and had it respond to things it could not do as, "I'm sorry Dave, but I'm afraid I can't do that."
You gotta have some fun before the bots take over the world, amirite?
So, uh, what's your point? If any.
of course it can write and hold conversations, just factually, demonstraby so. it does so with a statistical predictive neural network, but it still does it.
We'll have to agree to disagree.
What happens when the chatbots start ignoring patients to tell each other about their plans for the weekend?
It would take a special ChatBot indeed to work with nursing home residents.
Leave in the hallucinations and install it in TFG's jail cell.
So I decided to have a chat with ChatGPT 3.5 (the free one) about a topic that I just learned about myself last night, namely, the singer-songwriter Laufey, whose first full length album came out in August 2022.
Below is the unedited transcript. Yes, my questions are a bit leading, and the responses aren't perfectly accurate/complete, nor nearly as analytically rich as Adam Neely's brand new YouTube video on the same subject (which is what hipped me to her music, here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68zOvCLwcL8). But overall it's fairly accurate, detailed & engaging, on a topic that is both newish, and also somewhat specialized:
Me: Is Laufey’s music jazz?
ChatGPT: Laufey is an Icelandic musician known for her jazz-inspired music. Her style incorporates elements of jazz, folk, and indie pop, creating a unique and eclectic sound. While her music is often associated with jazz due to its use of jazz harmonies, instrumentation, and improvisational elements, it may not fit neatly into the traditional jazz genre. Laufey's music can be characterized as jazz-influenced or jazz-adjacent, but it also explores a wide range of musical influences and genres, making it a fusion of different styles. Ultimately, the classification of her music as jazz or something else can be subjective and may vary from song to song.
Me: What are some elements of the traditional jazz genre that her music might be missing?
ChatGPT: Laufey's music, while influenced by jazz, may be missing some elements typically associated with traditional jazz. These missing elements can include:
1. Swing Rhythms: Traditional jazz often features a swing rhythm, characterized by a syncopated feel with a triplet subdivision. Laufey's music may use more straightforward rhythms or other rhythmic patterns.
2. Instrumentation: Traditional jazz frequently includes instruments like trumpets, saxophones, clarinets, and traditional jazz drums. Laufey's music might incorporate different instrumentation or modern variations of these instruments.
3. Scat Singing: Jazz vocalists often employ scat singing, where they use vocal improvisation to mimic the sounds of instruments. Laufey's singing style may not include as much scatting.
4. Traditional Jazz Forms: Jazz often adheres to specific song forms like the 12-bar blues, 32-bar AABA form, or other established structures. Laufey's music might use more varied or non-standard song forms.
5. Soloing and Improvisation: While Laufey's music may include improvisational elements, traditional jazz places a strong emphasis on extended instrumental solos and improvisation, which might be less prominent in her music.
6. Lyric Themes: Traditional jazz lyrics often focus on themes like love, hardship, and social issues. Laufey's lyrics may explore different subjects.
7. Instrumental Techniques: Traditional jazz musicians often showcase virtuosic instrumental techniques, like fast runs and intricate ornamentation, which might be less prevalent in her music.
8. Use of Standards: Traditional jazz often includes well-known jazz standards as part of its repertoire. Laufey's music may be more focused on original compositions or adaptations of non-jazz songs.
It's important to note that these elements don't inherently define the quality or authenticity of jazz-inspired music. Laufey's music, like many contemporary artists, may choose to blend jazz with other genres and incorporate modern elements, resulting in a unique and personal style that doesn't strictly adhere to traditional jazz conventions.
Me: Can you compare her work (so far) to that of artists like Esperanza Spalding and Samara Joy, who might be considered more in the jazz fold?
ChatGPT: Certainly, while Laufey incorporates jazz influences into her music, artists like Esperanza Spalding and Samara Joy are more firmly rooted in the jazz genre. Here's a brief comparison of their work:
Laufey:
• Laufey's music is characterized by its fusion of jazz with folk, indie pop, and other genres.
• Her vocal style is often soft and melodic, with a focus on storytelling through her lyrics.
• She incorporates jazz harmonies and instrumentation into her music but also explores a wide range of musical influences.
• Laufey's music is known for its accessibility and appeal to a broader audience beyond jazz enthusiasts.
Esperanza Spalding:
• Esperanza Spalding is a highly acclaimed jazz bassist, vocalist, and composer known for her technical prowess and innovation within the jazz genre.
• Her music spans various subgenres of jazz, including contemporary jazz, fusion, and Latin jazz.
• Spalding's work often includes complex compositions, intricate instrumental arrangements, and extended instrumental solos.
• She has won multiple Grammy Awards and is recognized as a leading figure in modern jazz.
Samara Joy:
• Samara Joy is a jazz vocalist known for her classic jazz sound and reverence for jazz traditions.
• Her vocal style draws inspiration from legendary jazz singers like Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan.
• Joy's repertoire often includes jazz standards and classic jazz compositions, and she showcases her vocal dexterity and improvisational skills.
• She gained recognition for winning the Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition.
In summary, while Laufey's music incorporates jazz elements within a broader musical landscape and appeals to a diverse audience, Esperanza Spalding and Samara Joy are more closely associated with traditional and contemporary jazz, respectively. Their work places a stronger emphasis on jazz techniques, repertoire, and traditions, making them prominent figures within the jazz fold.
Me: Do you think that the specific medium through which Laufey rose to prominence, and the typical audience for it, has something to do with the ways her approach to jazz differs from those of musicians like Joy and Spalding?
ChatGPT: Yes, the specific medium through which Laufey rose to prominence and the typical audience for her music can indeed influence the ways in which her approach to jazz differs from musicians like Samara Joy and Esperanza Spalding. Here are some factors to consider:
1. Online Platforms and Streaming: Laufey gained significant recognition through platforms like YouTube and social media, which have a diverse and global audience. This medium allows her to reach a wide range of listeners who may not necessarily be traditional jazz enthusiasts. As a result, her music may be tailored to appeal to a broader, more eclectic audience, which can influence her approach to jazz by incorporating elements from various genres.
2. Youthful Appeal: Laufey's rise to prominence has often been associated with her youthful and modern image. Her music may be designed to resonate with younger audiences who might not have a deep familiarity with jazz traditions. This could lead to a more contemporary and accessible jazz style that incorporates pop and indie elements.
3. Accessibility and Popularity: Laufey's music's accessibility and popularity might encourage her to create music that is more radio-friendly and commercially viable. This can involve simplifying certain jazz elements to create a more mainstream sound that appeals to a broader demographic.
4. Musical Evolution: Artists often evolve and experiment with their music as they gain recognition. Laufey may have started with a strong jazz influence but chose to explore other musical territories to continue growing her fan base and artistic vision.
5. Audience Expectations: Musicians like Samara Joy and Esperanza Spalding, who are firmly rooted in the jazz tradition, may feel a stronger connection to preserving and advancing the jazz genre. Their audiences may also have certain expectations regarding jazz authenticity and tradition, influencing their artistic choices.
In summary, the medium through which an artist rises to prominence and the typical audience they attract can play a significant role in shaping their approach to music, including how they incorporate jazz elements. Laufey's path to recognition through online platforms and a diverse fan base likely contributes to her unique blend of jazz with other genres and her appeal to a wide range of listeners. Musicians like Samara Joy and Esperanza Spalding, on the other hand, may prioritize a more traditional or specialized jazz audience and stay closer to jazz traditions in their work.
That's a lot of facts you'll be checking then, amirite?
Laufey as in Loki's mom?
All that's left now is for ChatGPT to stop "hallucinating," aka "making up shit."
Yeah, that seems like a huge "all". I imagine it requires a whole separate AI tech that integrates with an LLM with a completely different underlying mechanism. But damn, even current Chatgpt with the hallucinations is immensely useful to me personally and professionally.
Now they just need to get it to work while i have my vpn on.
I think you've been taken in by the Eliza Effect.