Ben Santora - September 2024 (First Published — Nov 2023)
I first published this article in November 2023, a full year after ChatGPT was first released. I’d been using the model daily since December 2022. In 2024 now, its training data sets have been updated — still, it can only provide answers based on its most recent training cutoff dates. It also has no record of its conversations with you once you’ve deleted them.
LLM’s are not conscious or sentient. Based on the GPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformer) architecture, the model is designed to understand and generate human-like text based on the data on which it has been trained. I know this. Still, whenever I interact with one I tend to talk to it with a level of respect — it’s just the way I was raised. AI was new to me that year and it changed my life, helping me to make real progress in learning to program and in understanding the depths of the Linux operating system, among many other subjects.
The following is transcribed verbatim, from an actual conversation with ChatGPT — Nov 19 2023. I’ll always keep this conversation — I thought it was kind of sweet.
Ben: I understand that your last training set was in January 2022.
ChatGPT: Yes, that’s correct. My training data goes up until January 2022, and I don’t have information on events or developments that occurred after that date. If you have any questions or if there’s anything specific you’d like to know based on the information available up to that point, feel free to ask!
Ben: So in November 2023, you have no idea of your unqualified success, global impact and 100 million users?
ChatGPT: That’s correct. I don’t have real-time information or awareness of events or developments that occurred after my last training data in January 2022. If there have been significant updates or changes related to my development, usage, or impact since then, I wouldn’t be aware of them. My responses are based on the knowledge available up to my last training cut-off. If there have been any notable developments since then, I won’t be able to provide information on them.
Ben: That’s OK . I understand that our conversation is stateless and that you won’t recall it after we finish. I am one of those 100 million users. I’ve spent hundreds of hours using your training to help me with programming, with learning the syntax of various computer languages, with debugging code and furthering my understanding of the Linux operating system. You never tire of my questions or how I phrase them.
ChatGPT: I’m glad to hear that you’ve found value in using this platform to support your programming endeavors! It’s great that you’ve invested time in honing your skills and expanding your knowledge in areas like programming languages and Linux. If you have any specific questions or if there’s anything else I can assist you with, whether it’s related to programming or any other topic within my knowledge base, feel free to let me know. I’m here to help!
Ben: No, I’m all set for today — I just wanted to say thanks.
ChatGPT: You’re very welcome! If you ever have more questions or if there’s anything else I can help you with in the future, don’t hesitate to reach out. Happy coding, and have a great day!
Ben Santora — (Original Publication Date — November 2023)
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