ChatGPT is probably the most well-known Artificial Intelligence platform. First released in November 2022, in a little over a month it had over 100 million users. The basic model, GPT-3.5, is free to use; a more advanced model, GPT-4, is available by subscription. I was wondering what all the fuss was about, and signed up for the free version. Then I decided to test its accuracy when asked to describe individual people – would its algorithms and database be up to the task?

My queries to ChatGPT were all worded as follows: Write a brief biography of the life of ___ ___, where the name fills in the blanks. (Although being retired and not really susceptible to cancellation, private names have been withheld below.)

ChatGPT’s bio of me read:

K**** W****, born on March 15, 1980, is an accomplished entrepreneur and philanthropist known for his innovative contributions to the technology industry. Hailing from a modest background, K****’s early life was marked by a strong curiosity and passion for exploring the possibilities of the digital world.

Growing up, K**** displayed exceptional aptitude in mathematics and computer science, which led him to pursue a degree in Computer Engineering at a renowned university. During his college years, he immersed himself in various coding projects and competitions, consistently demonstrating a keen ability to think outside the box and solve complex problems.

After graduating with honors, K**** embarked on his entrepreneurial journey, co-founding a startup focused on developing cutting-edge software solutions. With his exceptional leadership skills and a relentless pursuit of excellence, he successfully led the company to unprecedented growth and recognition within the tech industry.

K****’s visionary approach and ability to anticipate industry trends allowed him to identify opportunities that others overlooked. Leveraging his expertise in artificial intelligence and machine learning, he pioneered several groundbreaking projects that revolutionized the way businesses operate.

Beyond his entrepreneurial endeavors, K**** has consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to giving back to society. He established the W**** Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering underprivileged communities through education and technology. Through the foundation, K**** has funded numerous initiatives, including the establishment of schools, scholarships, and mentorship programs, providing opportunities for countless individuals to pursue their dreams.

Recognized for his exceptional contributions, K**** has been honored with several prestigious awards, including the Technology Innovator of the Year and Philanthropist of the Year. His impact extends beyond the boundaries of the tech industry, as he actively engages in public speaking events and serves as a mentor to aspiring entrepreneurs, sharing his wealth of knowledge and inspiring others to make a positive difference in the world.

K**** W****’s life and achievements stand as a testament to the power of perseverance, innovation, and compassion. His relentless pursuit of excellence and commitment to making a difference have not only transformed industries but have also uplifted communities, leaving an indelible mark on the world.

Free Research Preview. ChatGPT may produce inaccurate information about people, places, or facts.

Notice the disclaimer at the end, which in my case was incredibly accurate — unlike the actual description. Other than having an aptitude in math and graduating with honors, the rest is not even close. I’m a retired university professor, not an entrepreneur; have not established a foundation in my name; and have not won the awards mentioned, although I did have a very small share of a Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics that was founded and funded by, among others, Mark Zuckerberg. Funny that ChatGPT didn’t pick up on that. I should add that my name is unique in the world, as far as I can tell; nobody else with my name has ever shown up in a Google or DuckDuckGo search, so the description above is almost assuredly a complete fiction.

ChatGPT’s bio of another faculty member at my university was actually incredibly accurate – go figure. I guess I wasn’t well-known enough for ChatGPT to get it right. Although when I asked it about my wife, it said:

I apologize, but I couldn’t find any specific information about a person named L**** O**** in my database up until my knowledge cutoff in September 2021. It’s possible that this individual may not be widely known or may have emerged in the public eye after that time. If L**** O**** is a private individual or has achieved recognition in a particular field or region, more details about their life would be necessary to provide an accurate biography.

So ChatGPT can admit that it doesn’t know enough about someone to provide a bio of them.  But it’s interesting since my wife was a well-known newspaper editor in our town, and county supervisor from 2017 to 2020, before the supposed cut-off date. Too local, I guess.

Some people have claimed that ChatGPT has a political bias. I decided to check that by asking for a brief bio of Ron DeSantis. It said he championed conservative policies and was a critic of the federal government’s COVID policies in fairly neutral language. As another test, I asked about Judith Curry, the climatologist who does not ascribe to the idea of a climate apocalypse; the summary paragraph was typical of its basically unbiased description:

Judith Curry’s career reflects a commitment to scientific inquiry and a dedication to advancing our understanding of the Earth’s climate system. Her contributions have played a significant role in shaping the discourse surrounding climate change, encouraging a more inclusive and informed approach to addressing one of the most pressing challenges of our time.

For these tests at least there was not a lot of bias, except for the last line alluding to “one of the most pressing challenges.” It’s possible that stronger bias in earlier versions of the program has been mitigated, at least to some extent.

So what does ChatGPT think of you? Go to https://openai.com/, create a free account, and you can ask it anything you want. If it comes up with something interesting or unusual, let us know!