As you know, all the cool kids are talking about Artificial Intelligence. And frankly a lot of the A.I. conversation has been pretty dire.
There are already stories of those whose jobs have been eliminated by ChatGBT, which creates essays, email and (uh-oh) term papers with ease.
It’s so easy, everyone says. Just enter a prompt of what you want, click, and in minutes you have a finished product.
It can write newspaper stories, poems and even novels. It will, it is said, probably make professional writers obsolete. And that’s just the start of it. Some 4.8 million jobs could be lost. Pretty scary.
It seemed like something you almost have to try, right? I just didn’t have a good reason.
And that’s when I remembered Wikipedia.
A little back story. For years I avoided looking to see if I had a Wiki post — until, inevitably, my ego got the better of me.
And to be honest it was a pleasant surprise. First, that a short profile actually existed, and second that it was pretty nice. I especially enjoyed the description of my “breezy style.”
But it also includes a reference to a confrontation with a SF bicyclist I wrote about when I was moonlighting as a SF Gate blogger. A local writer went after me about the incident — although to be fair he did include my description of not engaging with with the enraged biker.
No need to rehash what happened or make it sound like I’m the victim. I did almost hit the guy by accident.
But it did bug me that in a two-paragraph summation of my life, the second graph is about a random, no-injury incident that happened back in 2012. And that if I died and someone was looking for info for an obituary, they might include “bike hater.”
So I thought, I’ll get ChatGBT to write a bio that will include things like the eight Olympic Games I covered. Or that I taught school for four years after graduating from college. Or even a mention of my family.
I got on ChatGBT and typed “Create a biography of C.W. Nevius from teaching to journalism to the present.”
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And in a remarkably short time — less than two minutes, I’d estimate — an extensive eight-paragraph document appeared.
The conclusion?
This ChatGPT C.W. Nevius is a remarkable fellow.
Unfortunately, I don’t recognize him.
As others have noted, the bot comes across as supremely confident and authoritative. It sounds like my late mother when she was describing my career arc to her bridge group. Very authoritative, full of details and almost entirely wrong.
For instance, it assertively says I was, “Born on November 17, 1952, in Sacramento, California . . .”
None of that is true. That is not the year I was born. It isn’t even the month. And according to Google, Sacramento is 692 miles from Rock Springs, Wyoming, where I actually came into the world. Not even close.
It continued — “He attended California State University, Sacramento, (Actually University of Colorado) where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism.” (It was a B.S. in Education.)
It said I got my start in newspapers as “the Sacramento Union (nope). And the Arizona Republic (nope again.)
To me, the most interesting part was when it seemed ChatGPT was trying to butter me up. For instance, it said I won the Herb Caen Memorial Award for Outstanding Journalism and the James Madison Freedom of Information Award.
That sounds impressive, but I haven’t won either of those awards. In fact, I’ve never heard of the Herb Caen Memorial Award. As near as I can tell, there is no such thing. And although it would be a great honor to win the James Madison Award (which does exist) I never have.
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But it was interesting that the bot recognized that Herb Caen would be a name that Chronicle insiders and readers would recognize, and would probably think it logical that an award in his name would be created.
You can see a sneaky intelligence at work there. There’s a flow to the writing, excellent punctuation and the bot is definitely taking some information and using it to draw conclusions and inferences.
Now the creators might want to spend some time working on creating statements that are actually — you know — true.
Until then, while ChatGBT may take over our jobs at some point — not just yet.
Contact C.W. Nevius at cwnevius@gmail.com. Twitter: @cwnevius
I got a slightly different birthday when I asked "Create a biography of C.W. Nevius from teaching to journalism to the present."
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Biography of C.W. Nevius
C.W. Nevius, born as Charles William Nevius, is an American journalist and writer known for his extensive career in journalism, particularly in the field of sports. Born on July 11, 1951, in the United States, Nevius has made significant contributions to the world of journalism through his insightful reporting and engaging writing style.
Nevius began his professional journey as an educator, working as a teacher in California. He had a passion for education and spent several years teaching before transitioning into the field of journalism. His experience in the classroom allowed him to develop strong communication skills and a deep understanding of the importance of effective storytelling.
In the early years of his journalism career, Nevius worked for various local newspapers, honing his skills as a reporter and columnist. He gained recognition for his engaging writing style and ability to connect with readers through his articles. He had a keen interest in sports and began to specialize in sports journalism, covering a wide range of sporting events and athletes.
One of Nevius' notable achievements came when he joined the San Francisco Chronicle, a prominent newspaper in Northern California, in 1984. During his time at the Chronicle, he focused on covering the San Francisco Giants, a Major League Baseball team. Nevius became known for his insightful analysis and in-depth reporting on the Giants, earning him a loyal following among sports enthusiasts in the region.
Over the years, Nevius expanded his repertoire beyond sports journalism. He delved into various topics, including social issues, politics, and human interest stories. His versatility as a writer allowed him to tackle a diverse range of subjects, captivating readers with his thought-provoking articles.
Nevius was admired for his ability to bring out the human element in his writing. He had a knack for telling compelling stories that resonated with readers, whether it was about the struggles of a local community or the triumphs of an underdog athlete. His empathetic approach to journalism earned him accolades and solidified his reputation as a skilled storyteller.
Throughout his career, Nevius received numerous awards and recognition for his contributions to journalism. His work has been featured in various publications, and he has been a guest on television and radio programs, sharing his insights and expertise with a broader audience.
As of my knowledge cutoff in September 2021, C.W. Nevius continues to be an active journalist and writer. His dedication to his craft and his passion for storytelling have allowed him to make a lasting impact in the field of journalism, inspiring others with his work and leaving a legacy as an exceptional storyteller.
Please note that the information provided is based on the knowledge available up until September 2021, and there may have been further developments in C.W. Nevius's career since then.