Chatgpt: Promises And Pitfalls

Introduction

ChatGPT is taking the internet by storm. It is the latest Artificial Intelligence tools that is revolutionizing the way we do business. In light of the rise of ChatGPT, Arab banks and businesses need to think about how to leverage this new technology in work, production and services, and explore how it could enhance workflows and deliver better customer experiences. Arab authorities should also devise the appropriate legislations to support the use of ChatGPT and prevent any misuse.

This article provides a complete overview of ChatGPT. The overview covers the launch, steps to use, applications, opportunities and potential dangers including threat to jobs, and regulation and ban in various countries. The article concludes with recommendations for Arab banks and businesses to leverages the promises brought by ChatGPT and avoid the pitfalls.

What Is Chatgpt?

ChatGPT is an artificial-intelligence (AI) chatbot developed by OpenAI. ChatGPT was launched as a prototype on November 30, 2022. It captured attention for its detailed responses and articulate answers across many domains of knowledge. Its uneven factual accuracy has been identified as a significant drawback. Following the release of ChatGPT, OpenAI’s valuation was estimated at US$29 billion in 2023.

Chatbots are AI systems that engage in spoken or written dialogue and commonly power customer service sections of company websites as well as virtual assistants. ChatGPT stands apart from other chatbots because of its reinforcement learning from human feedback model, which allows it to produce natural language, to understand when it has made mistakes. A free version of ChatGPT is available on OpenAI’s website, and the company sells a programming interface to organizations wishing to incorporate ChatGPT into their existing products and services. A paid subscription model of the program is also available.

How To Use Chatgpt?

Since it is launched, the number of ChatGPT users has skyrocketed. ChatGPT became the fastest growing app of all time, even surpassing TikTok.

ChatGPT can be accessed from http://chat.OpenAI.com. ChatGPT can be used for free. Since the natural language processing model is still in its research and learning preview phase, people can use it for free. Users can register for a free OpenAI account and there is an option to upgrade to a paid membership.

 Steps to use ChatGPT are:

1. Create an OpenAI account
2. Accept ChatGPT terms
3. Start writing

ChatGPT can generate responses to prompts. This is a feature that could eventually challenge search engines well enough, to become an important tool for content generation from writing essays to summarizing a book. ChatGPT can also write and fix code, make calculations, help compile a resume, translate information, and more.

The rise in ChatGPT’s popularity can largely be attributed to the expert combination of wide accessibility, knowledge, and fluidity in conversations. The ChatGPT model can also challenge incorrect premises, and answer follow-up questions. ChatGPT can generate essays, and write code from user queries.

Chatgpt Applications

The top ChatGPT applications and examples include:

• An alternative to Google search: ChatGPT can respond to inquiries fast and accurately, making it a viable alternative to search engines like Google or Bing.
• Roleplay: There have been several cases where users use ChatGPT for role-playing. They will ask the chatbot to act as a specific character in a certain scenario, then interact with it.
• Write high-quality copy: ChatGPT uses AI to write high-performing copy, thus making the job of a digital marketer easier.
• Write code and debug: ChatGPT is useful for debugging and learning new concepts.
• Understand and respond to a wide range of language inputs: Instead of using Google or Bing, users can make use of ChatGPT’s capacity to understand and respond to various language inputs and obtain simple, uncluttered solutions to inquiries.
• Answer questions: Many businesses are looking to integrate the AI-powered ChatGPT tool into their workflow in order to give quick and intelligent solutions to common client concerns and improve customer experience. The AI chatbot assists businesses in effectively understanding and addressing consumer pain points by scanning the Internet for specific user inquiries and offering a brief overview of relevant information.
• Education: One of the most notable ChatGPT use cases is in education. Tutors will be able to teach only the foundations of a topic and use ChatGPT to provide a platform for students to ask questions and clear their doubts.
• Brainstorm ideas: ChatGPT can help content writers and small businesses come up with new blog entries or innovative website text.
• Create artwork: ChatGPT can produce art when combined with other AI Art Generators.
• Act as a virtual assistant: ChatGPT can be used to create virtual assistants who can help organizations with day-to-day tasks including setting appointments, sending emails, generating reports, and managing social media accounts. This might be a way to optimize workflows, automate repetitive operations, and free up time for busy professionals to focus on more vital duties like innovation and research.
• Offer personalized recommendations: ChatGPT has incredible analysis ability and a huge database, so it is able to give tailored recommendations once given a person’s preference regarding things like favorite activities, books, music, movies, etc.
• Solve math questions: ChatGPT can assist in solving math problems and gives useful explanations.

Chatgpt Opportunities

Tools like ChatGPT can create enormous opportunities for companies that leverage the technology strategically. Chat-based AI can augment how humans work by automating repetitive tasks while providing more engaging interactions with users.

Companies can use ChatGPT in various ways including compiling research, drafting marketing content, brainstorming ideas, writing computer code, automating parts of the sales process, delivering aftercare services when customers buy products, providing customized instructions, streamlining and enhancing processes using automation, translating text from one language to another, smoothing out the customer onboarding process, and increasing customer engagement, leading to improved loyalty and retention

Customer service is a huge area of opportunity for many companies. Businesses can use ChatGPT technology to generate responses for their own customer service chatbots, so they can automate many tasks typically done by humans and radically improve response time.

According to an Opus Research report, 35% of consumers want to see more companies using chatbots and 48% of consumers don’t care whether a human being or an automated chatbot helps them with a customer service query.

Chatgpt Potential Dangers

While ChatGPT offers enormous opportunities for businesses, it also poses some potential dangers.

In the beta version of their ChatGPT software, OpenAI acknowledges the current limitations of the tool, including the potential to occasionally generate incorrect information or biased content. It may have limited knowledge of events or knowledge after 2021, based on when the model was trained.

There are also potential privacy concerns. ChatGPT can be vulnerable to cybersecurity attacks, as it is connected to the internet and could potentially be used to spread malicious content or viruses. Malicious cybercriminals could also manipulate people and spread their personal information using the chatbot, then use that information for fraudulent purposes or for targeted phishing attacks.

Chatbots Threats To Jobs

Experts predict that tools like ChatGPT will threaten people’s livelihoods as it automates many tasks currently being performed by human beings.

AI-based chatbots can be used to automate some tasks, but they are not capable of many skills that people are great at, like critical thinking, creativity, or strategic decision-making. Instead, chatbots can be used to supplement customer service staff, allowing people to focus on more complex and more human tasks.

Companies can use tools like ChatGPT to reduce costs associated with training and hiring customer service staff, helping them save money and stay competitive.

Chatgpt Ban

Italy is the first Western country to block advanced chatbot ChatGPT. The Italian data-protection authority said there were privacy concerns relating to the model, which was created by United States start-up OpenAI and is backed by Microsoft. The regulator said it would ban and investigate OpenAI.

There have been concerns over the potential risks of artificial intelligence (AI), including its threat to jobs and the spreading of misinformation and bias.

The Italian watchdog said that not only would it block OpenAI’s chatbot but it would also investigate whether it complied with General Data Protection Regulation.

The watchdog stated that the app had experienced a data breach involving user conversations and payment information, and that there was no legal basis to justify the mass collection and storage of personal data for the purpose of training the algorithms underlying the operation of the platform. Since there was no way to verify the age of users, the app exposes minors to absolutely unsuitable answers compared to their degree of development and awareness.

The ban shows the importance of regulatory compliance for companies operating in Europe. Businesses must prioritise the protection of personal data and comply with the stringent data protection regulations set by the European Union (EU).

Chatgpt Regulation

ChatGPT regulation is necessary. Italy ban of ChatGPT has highlighted an absence of any concrete regulations, with the European Union and China among the few jurisdictions developing tailored rules for this purpose.

Various governments are exploring how to regulate ChatGPT, and some are thinking of how to deal with general purpose systems such as ChatGPT. Some countries are even considering joining Italy in banning the technology.

Below is an overview of ChatGPT regulation in various countries.

In United Kingdom

The United Kingdom (UK) announced plans for regulating Artificial Intelligence (AI). Rather than establish new regulations, the government asked regulators in different sectors to apply existing regulations to AI.

The UK proposals, that do not mention ChatGPT by name, outline some key principles for companies to follow when using AI in their products, including safety, transparency, fairness, accountability, and contestability. UK is not intending to put restrictions on ChatGPT, or any kind of AI. Instead, it wants to ensure companies are developing and using AI tools responsibly and giving users enough information about how and why certain decisions are taken.

In The European Union

The European Union (EU) is taking more restrictive stance on AI than United Kingdom. The European Union, which is often at the forefront when it comes to tech regulation, has proposed a ground breaking legislation on AI. Known as the European AI Act, the rules will heavily restrict the use of AI in critical infrastructure, education, law enforcement, and the judicial system.

The EU’s draft rules consider ChatGPT to be a form of general-purpose AI used in high-risk applications. High-risk AI systems are defined by the commission as those that could affect people’s fundamental rights or safety. They would face measures including tough risk assessments and a requirement to stamp out discrimination arising from the datasets feeding algorithms.

Brussels is also planning to impose laws on AI. Germany is also planning to do so as well.

The French and Irish privacy regulators are considering Italy approach to ban ChatGPT.

Ireland is typically the most active regulator when it comes to data privacy since most United States tech giants like Meta and Google have their offices there.

The Irish data protection commission is following up with the Italian regulator to understand the basis for their action and will coordinate with all EU data protection authorities in connection to the ban.

In the United States

The United States (US) did not yet propose any formal rules to bring oversight to AI technology. The country’s National Institute of Science and Technology put out a national framework that gives companies using, designing or deploying AI systems guidance on managing risks and potential harms. So far, there has been no word of any action being taken to limit ChatGPT in the US.

In China

ChatGPT is not available in China, nor in various countries with heavy internet censorship like North Korea, Iran and Russia. It is not officially blocked, but OpenAI doesn’t allow users in the country to sign up.

Several large tech companies in China are developing alternatives. Baidu, Alibaba and JD.com, some of China’s biggest tech firms, have announced plans for ChatGPT rivals.

China has been keen to ensure its technology giants are developing products in line with its strict regulations.

Chatgpt in GCC

Countries in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has seen significant growth in the technology sector over the past few years, with a particular focus on Artificial Intelligence (AI). Indeed, ChatGPT has made its mark in the Gulf countries through its ability to converse in Arabic.

In GCC, ChatGPT has been used in several sectors, including finance, education, and healthcare. In healthcare, ChatGPT has been especially used to provide virtual counselling and answer patients’ questions. In the financial sector, it has been used to provide customer support and help users with financial planning. In the education sector, ChatGPT has been used to provide online tutoring and provide assistance to students in doing their homework.

ChatGPT is gaining popularity in GCC countries due to its ability to understand and accurately answer any questions in Arabic. Its ability to converse in Arabic has made it a valuable resource in the region, where Arabic is the main spoken language. In addition, the versatility and flexibility of ChatGPT allowed it to be used in a variety of areas, making it a valuable addition to any organization.

ChatGPT has been making waves in the Gulf countries, with its ability to converse in Arabic and its versatility in various industries. The upcoming release of ChatGPT4 is expected to be a significant upgrade over its predecessor, with improved capabilities and features. ChatGPT4’s ability to generate more coherent and natural-sounding responses, along with its ability to generate more creative and engaging responses, is expected to make it a valuable asset in various industries worldwide.

Three Arab countries rank in top 10 for ChatGPT searches. Google data indicates huge interest across the Middle East and North Africa MENA region in AI. Data on Google shows Lebanon in fourth place globally for searching the term “ChatGPT”.  Despite its small size and current economic depression, Lebanon has long been an attractive place for innovation. Palestine and Morocco, came in sixth and ninth places respectively.

Road Ahead: Leveraging Opportunities And Avoiding Pitfalls

Tools like ChatGPT have the potential to improve efficiency and productivity in a variety of business contexts by automating tasks that would normally be performed by humans. However, ChatGPT is still a relatively new technology, and its capabilities are likely to continue to evolve and improve over time. Arab banks and businesses should leverage the huge opportunities offered by the technology and avoid the dangers it entails, especially in cyber and criminal actions. Arab authorities should also regulate the use of this technology and prevent any harmful misuse and learn from case studies of ban in some countries like Italy.

References

ZDNET, Savvycomsoftware, Emeritus research, Mylearning.org, Forbes, BBC News,

CNBC, Azimuth-Gulf, NewArab, openAI, Investopedia, Wikipedia, Euronews.