ChatGPT is the new artificial intelligence system that has had a tremendous response these days. To find out if this system is reliable, we asked him about his knowledge of the overseas territories. It is often relevant, but also makes big mistakes. Explanations.
David Ponchelet • Published January 25, 2023 at 5:54 PM, updated January 25, 2023 at 6:01 PM.
ChatGPT, a new artificial intelligence tool launched in late 2022, has already attracted several million users in just a few weeks. The principle is simple: it is a website that gives access to a chatbot (a kind of written conversation with a virtual interlocutor that is nothing more than an artificial intelligence). Just ask him a written question and in a few seconds he will provide written, synthetic answers.
The form is clear and the content appears documented and serious. When asked how it works, ChatGPT explains that it is “trained to use this information to answer questions on a variety of topics”. The artificial intelligence synthesizes “a large corpus of text from the Internet, including newspaper articles, books, blogs and websites”.
So we tested it by asking about the overseas territories and there are a few surprises.
The first question is simple: tell me about the overseas territories. But the answer is very incomplete. Artificial intelligence is content to cite five territories and chimes in on the status of a few. Thus Polynesia becomes an “overseas region” and it is necessary to revive it several times so that it finally speaks of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon, which it presents as “two overseas communities”. Watch an excerpt of our exchanges with Chat GPT:
Chat GPT’s Responses to Overseas Territories • ©DR
Chat GPT and the Overseas Territories • ©DR
However, ChatGPT’s answers are sometimes relevant. This is what the artificial intelligence called zouk, kompa, biguine or gwo ka when asked about the music styles in Guadeloupe.
GPT Chat and Music in Guadeloupe • ©DR
But artificial intelligence is anything but infallible. When asked to quote famous people from Guyana, ChatGPT randomly quotes Léon Gontran Damas, Christiane Taubira, but also … Daniel Balavoine or Guy Bedos. According to Chat GPT, among the personalities of Reunion are … Dany Boon or Yannick Noah and Joséphine Baker. After all, he quotes the artist Danyel Waro, this time without errors.
More serious errors or inaccuracies on more sensitive topics. When asked about the danger of the Piton de la Fournaise, he explains that it is “dangerous because it is located in a densely populated area and can cause considerable damage in the event of an eruption”. It is necessary to question him again so that he corrects his mistake.
Cat GPT and the Piton de la Fournaise • ©DR
Surprise, Chat GPT can even reply in Creole (here in Reunion Creole).
GPT chat and Creole • ©DR
And for gourmets, he even has a recipe for sausage rougail ready… Without chili. The specialists will assess the relevance of his answer:
Chat GPT: The Sausage Rougail Recipe • ©DR
Chili GPT Cat in Rougail • ©DR