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Hello, hello! Welcome to the first edition of AI Unlocked. I’m so excited to share some tips and tricks I’ve learned as a reporter covering chatbots, like ChatGPT and Gemini, at WIRED.
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The post below was first published in 2023. Use the menu above to read the original five AI Unlocked newsletters.
This first newsletter is all about brainstorming. 🧠🌩️🤯
Before we dive in, here’s three facts about chatbots worth remembering:
Chatbots are not new. Yes, OpenAI’s ChatGPT introduced AI-powered chatbots to many people for the first time, but the underlying technology has existed for a few years. For example, WIRED covered a “digital pen pal” called Replika in 2017. (And yes, it still exists.)Chatbots are a tool. Many smart people are asking philosophical questions about AI. While this newsletter provides some context for these more esoteric discussions, our primary focus is on how to use chatbots in ethical ways that may be beneficial for everyday life. In short, since they are publicly available, we may as well find useful applications for chatbots.Chatbots are still changing. The AI gold rush is here, as are millions of dollars in investment for both big names and smaller players. While it’s true that they are not a new invention, the applications for AI chatbots are rapidly changing. This journey is just beginning.
Right now, take time to either read or listen to my tips for using ChatGPT to brainstorm better. What is one piece of advice from the article that’s most useful to you?
🎧 LISTEN:
Prompt Pro Tip
A chatbot can help you build out a brainstorm list, but the details you provide are important. When you write a prompt, use specifics to give the chatbot more context for its response. The difference between an ineffective prompt and a useful prompt often comes down to the details. Don’t be afraid to get conversational with the bot; in certain situations, the chatbot may even perform better if you tell it to relax and take its time.
Instead of: What should I pack to go camping?
Try: What should I pack for two people who are camping together for three nights in Yosemite National Park during the month of September? We are traveling by car and need to pack light.
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My Prompt
In my examples, you’ll see that I often use ChatGPT. But it’s worth checking out other options as well to see if a different chatbot works better for what you’re trying to accomplish. Google’s Gemini could be an interesting option if you want to try out the new Gemini AI model and see what another major company in the AI race is building. Or maybe a chatbot like Pi, which is tuned to be more emotionally engaging, could be fun.
This time, I asked ChatGPT:
What are the top five things I should have in my backpack while hiking the Mist Trail in Yosemite?
Your Prompt
Find three times that you can use a chatbot for brainstorming. Are you trying to decide where to go on vacation next year? What vegan dinner could you make for your partner in under 30 minutes? What action film from the ’80s should you rewatch for movie night? Experiment with different approaches to the brainstorm prompts, and double-check any recommendations for factual accuracy.
Pause and Think
As a magazine writer, I have the leeway to be upfront with you and share that, of course, I’m anxious about how people in positions of power will implement AI technology, like chatbots. With that in mind, I still see these tools as useful. It’s complicated.
Journalists' jobs may be impacted by chatbots that are trained on data from the internet and their original work. Read Caitlin Harrington’s reporting about members of CNET’s staff who pushed back against AI-generated articles. Would you trust an investigation that’s written by AI and edited by a human? What about an article written by a human and edited by AI?
Most PopularGearThe Top New Features Coming to Apple’s iOS 18 and iPadOS 18By Julian ChokkattuGearHow Do You Solve a Problem Like Polestar?By Carlton ReidGearThe Best Hearing Aids We’ve Personally Tested and Vetted With an ExpertBy Christopher NullGearEverything Apple Announced TodayBy Boone Ashworth
Check out WIRED’s policies on generative AI to see how we currently use the tools. If you were in charge of a tech magazine, what rules would you create around chatbot usage? Try using the chatbot to help you brainstorm some new rules.
Yes, Context Matters
That’s it for our first newsletter. (Phew!) See in the next installment!
Want to discover the latest tips and tricks for making the most of chatbots and AI tools in your everyday life? Sign up for a whole new season of AI Unlocked now!
Check out these articles for further context about the world of chatbots:
Here Come the AI WormsThe Mind-Blowing Experience of a Chatbot That Answers InstantlyAI Tools Like GitHub Copilot Are Rewiring Coders’ Brains. Yours May Be NextDon't Want Students to Rely on ChatGPT? Have Them Use It
