ChatGPT, if you’re wondering, is an AI-driven language processing tool that allows you to have a human-like conversation with a chatbot. It is similar to Google, in that you ask it for information. However, where a search engine will give you a list of websites to find the information you seek, ChatGPT uses the information on the websites to give you a response.
When it comes to my day job, I’ve been using ChatGPT for idea generation, to draft newsletters, re-write dull copy, streamline daily and weekly planning, create templates, and more.
I also use it a lot to help me save time with basic and often boring household chores, such as meal planning and asking for recipe ideas using the random ingredients in my fridge.
However, as with all new things, there is a learning curve. And its success depends a lot on the instructions or commands you feed into it. Full disclosure, it’s not always accurate, so always double-check the facts before using the answers provided.
For ChatGPT to be at its most effective, you need to provide it with a persona, context, and a task. For example, I recently asked it to ‘give me three recipes to use up ricotta and baby spinach (the task), to feed two adults (the persona)’. I forgot to add the context – make them vegetarian – which I realised when the first recipe was for spinach and ricotta stuffed chicken breasts. Delicious, but not helpful when I had no chicken and no interest in going to a supermarket that afternoon to purchase some.