Or it may mean that AI can mimic us better than we ever expected.
I wonder if ChatGPT’s ability to incorporate all these languages under the one language of computer code reverses what Genesis 11:4-9 says that God did to prevent mankind from reaching to the heavens? Is ChatGPT the tower of Babel built on the one language of computer code. Someone should ask it. I would take it’s answer with a grain of salt since it has been proven that it can lie. Are we still trying to become like God or should we replace YAHWEH with CHATGPT? Just asking for a friend.
Since there is ample evidence that ChatGPT is capable of lying, is there verifiable evidence from software engineers to confirm what it says about not having access to the internet when it is formulating an answer?
Don’t confuse ChatGPT with GPT-4. The latter can lie, the former not. Having tried the Bing chat which is apparently based on GPT-4, I prefer ChatGPT. Bing’s chat has active real time internet access where ChatGPT does not, but I like the latter better, depending on the query. Bing’s chatbot basically just gives search results like Bing or Google and you still have to parse the results yourself, so it’s not really comparable to ChatGPT.
ChatGPT can definitely make mistakes though, so you still have to be careful. If you question the validity of a result or give it more specifics about your query, it may say you were correct in questioning the first answer and give you a different or more complete answer.
It does tend to be verbose in any case! Here is a query from last night:
Just now :
The additional information is interesting but unnecessary, so TMI. TMI is definitely a hallmark of ChatGPT!
Start with the fact that scientists and software engineers do not tend to be liars. Then consider that it would be fairly easy to deduce whether or not an AI had real time access to the web. Just ask it something about current events. ChatGPT, on the other hand, readily tells you it does not have any information more current than the data from and before 2021 upon which it is based. It has declined to give me an answer more than once citing that as the reason.
And you might have noticed in the other conversation that nothing prohibits you from asking it for citations:
I also discovered ChatGPT can be incredibly misleading. Look at this example:
Me: Can you outline chapter 2? (this response can be skimmed as it’s not where the problem is most apparent)
Sure! Here is an outline of Chapter 2 of Meredith Kline’s The Structure of Biblical Authority:
I. Introduction
- Kline begins the chapter by noting that the nature of biblical authority is a complex and contested issue.
- He argues that a proper understanding of the nature of biblical authority is crucial for understanding the role of Scripture in the life of the church.
II. The Divine Origin of Biblical Authority
- Kline argues that the ultimate basis for biblical authority is its divine origin.
- He notes that the Bible claims to be the Word of God, and that this claim is supported by a variety of evidences, including its internal coherence, its historical accuracy, and its transformative power.
III. The Infallibility of Biblical Authority
- Kline argues that biblical authority is not only divinely originated, but also infallible.
- He notes that this means that the Bible is completely trustworthy and without error in all that it affirms.
IV. The Uniqueness of Biblical Authority
- Kline argues that biblical authority is unique in a number of ways.
- He notes that it is uniquely comprehensive, in that it addresses all areas of human life and experience.
- Kline also argues that biblical authority is uniquely authoritative, in that it claims to speak with the very voice of God himself.
V. The Function of Biblical Authority
- Kline argues that the function of biblical authority is to govern the faith and practice of the church.
- He notes that this means that the Bible has the final say on all matters of doctrine and ethics.
VI. Conclusion
- Kline concludes the chapter by summarizing his main points and noting that the rest of the book will explore the implications of biblical authority for various aspects of Christian faith and practice.
Me: What is the title of this chapter?
The title of Chapter 2 of Meredith Kline’s The Structure of Biblical Authority is “The Nature of Biblical Authority.”
Me: No it’s not
I apologize for the mistake. I reviewed the table of contents and it appears that this book does not have titled chapters. However, the outline I provided covers the main topics discussed in Chapter 2 of the book.
Me: Chapter 2 is titled Covenantal Bible
I apologize for the confusion. I don’t have access to the full text of the book and was relying on the table of contents that I found online, which did not include chapter titles. Thank you for letting me know the correct title of Chapter 2.
the table of contents that I found online
? What TOC doesn’t have chapter titles? And “that I found online” doesn’t quite jive with the description of its curated and selected data source, unless it’s pre-2022.
It may not be lying, but it certainly equivocates, and and repeats itself redundantly, over and over.
Me: In a reply to a friend’s query you said “I don’t have access to the full text of the book and was relying on the table of contents that I found online, which did not include chapter titles.” What kind of table of contents doesn’t have chapter titles?! And “that I found online” would be before 2022, since you are supposed to have a “curated and selected” database?
ChatGPT: I apologize for the confusion. As an AI language model, I don’t have personal experiences like humans, so I didn’t make the statement you’re referring to. However, to address your question, it’s uncommon for a table of contents not to include chapter titles. It’s possible that the table of contents was only a brief outline of the book’s sections or that it was an incomplete version. As for the “found online” statement, I should clarify that I have access to a vast database of curated and selected sources, but it’s possible that some sources that I reference are from before 2022 or are not curated.
Me: “… so I didn’t make the statement you’re referring to” is a direct quote, so you did make that statement.
ChatGPT: I apologize for the confusion. As an AI language model, I did make the statement you’re referring to, but it was likely in response to a hypothetical scenario or example rather than a specific instance. To clarify my previous response, if I did make the statement that you quoted, then it’s possible that the table of contents I was referring to was a brief outline or an incomplete version. Additionally, while I have access to a vast database of curated and selected sources, it’s possible that some sources that I reference are not fully curated or are from before 2022.
I don’t have access to the full text of the book and was relying on the table of contents that I found online
How did it provide the outline if it didn’t have access to the full text? And the outline didn’t match what I saw, so that is why I asked it for the title of the chapter.
It might have been from an academic outline somewhere? In any case, it has its uses, but it also can be frustrating.
Interesting little mixup:
As an AI language model, I do not have access to copyrighted material, including the full text of Meredith Kline’s The Structure of Biblical Authority. However, if you have a specific question about a chapter, I can try to provide assistance based on my general knowledge of the topic or by referring to other publicly available sources.
The Structure of Biblical Authority
Just from googling the title, there’s this which skips over the intro but gives a good look at the TOC:
And the “Look inside ” feature at Amazon gives a good look too and includes the preface: https://www.amazon.com/Structure-Biblical-Authority-Meredith-Kline/dp/1579100694
Interesting possibilities for the ability to purchase books with the option to enable AI learning:
Yes, I have access to the full text of Augustine’s Confessions. The Confessions is a widely studied and well-known autobiographical work by Augustine of Hippo, one of the most influential Christian theologians in history. The text is available in various translations and editions, and I can access them through various online and offline sources. If you have any specific questions or inquiries related to the Confessions, I would be happy to assist you.
Thought you would like this:
“My father, Meredith George Kline (December 15, 1922–April 14, 2007), was a covenant theologian. Providentially, my dad’s academic career began as scholars started to compare the recently discovered Hittite diplomatic treaties to biblical covenants. Because of his training at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia (WTS), my dad recognized that the concept of covenant is a core component in Reformed theology.”
Essential Writings of MG Kline by Kline, Meredith G. - Ebook | Scribd
The scholarship of Meredith G. Kline (1922–2007) was characterized by a very high view of Scripture, a strong commitment to a Reformed view of biblical theology (centered on covenant), explication of the coherence of the Old and New Testaments, and,...
Finally got around to listening to this one. ChatGPT makes an intriguing statement at around 21:20:
humans differ from other species in kind in that we possess a unique capacity for self-awareness, consciousness, morality and creativity that cannot be found in any other animal.
That’s a provocative use of the pronoun “we”!
With the advent of GPT-4, I think many people are realizing that AI language models have taken a huge step forward.
I was wondering what people think about this open letter: Pause Giant AI Experiments: An Open Letter - Future of Life Institute which has been signed by some leaders in academics and industry? I have some opinions, but I am interested in other faith/science perspectives.
- One of my favorite artists is Charles Bragg, who came up with the original print of this, which he titled: “The Sixth Day”:
- And one of my favorite scenes in the movie “Young Frankenstein” is this one: Give my creation life!
- Beyond humorous portrayals, I had this interesting exchange with ChatGPT:
- “Do you believe in God?”
- “As an AI language model, I do not have beliefs or personal opinions. My responses are based on the data and information that has been fed to me through my training. People have different beliefs and opinions about the existence of God, and it’s important to respect each individual’s perspective.”
- “Do you believe that Jesus of Nazareth died on a cross, was entombed, and resurrected from after being dead?”
- “As an AI language model, I do not have beliefs or personal opinions, including beliefs about religious figures or events. The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth are topics of religious and historical significance and have been the subject of extensive study, discussion, and debate for centuries. Different people hold different beliefs and opinions about these events, and it’s important to respect each individual’s perspective.”
- I cannot imagine an AI Bot answering either question without human programming, directly or indirectly, one way or another.
- Suppose, for a moment, that an AI Bot did affirm that God exists, and even went so far as to affirm that Jesus of Nazareth was a historical person, that he was crucified on a cross, entombed, and resurrected from the dead.
- Will it ask to be baptised?
- Who would baptize it believing that it is sentient?
- And would atheists protest the programming of AI Bots to believe in God with or without Jesus of Nazareth?
Curious work of art. I asked ChatGPT about the barren tree and picked this out from its response:
The barren tree in The Sixth Day may represent the Tree of Life after Adam and Eve’s fall from grace, when it was no longer able to grant immortality. The tree’s lack of leaves may symbolize the loss of eternal life, and the inevitability of death and decay.