On March 14, OpenAI released GPT-4. GPT-4 is the latest version of its language model GPT (Generative Pretrained Transformer). OpenAIs popular artificial intelligence chatbot ChatGPT presently uses GPT-3.5. The new model can do anything the old can but can also respond to images, providing recipe suggestions from photos of ingredients and writing captions and descriptions.
OpenAI, in their GPT-4 introduction video, mentions that showing a photo of balloons can describe what is in the picture. If you ask what will happen if you cut the cords to the balloons, GPT-4 can answer correctly that the balloons will fly away.
GPT-4 is trained to answer questions using natural human-like language. It can mimic other writing styles. OpenAI has spent six months building safety features for GPT-4 and has trained it on human feedback to avoid sharing disinformation.
Much more capacity
GPT-4 can process up to 25,000 words, eight times as many as ChatGPT. Since its launch in November 2022, millions have used ChatGPT for various tasks, such as generating ideas and writing texts, songs, and poems. However, it has also been used to cheat on online tests, and teachers warn against using it for homework. According to a blog post by OpenAI, GPT-4 shows greater capabilities than GPT-3.5 and achieves human-like performance on various academic and professional benchmarks. One such benchmark is a simulated bar exam, where GPT-4 scores in the top 10% of test-takers, while GPT-3.5 scores in the bottom 10%.
Although GPT-4 has more advanced reasoning skills than ChatGPT. It still has some of the weaknesses of its predecessors. For example, it is not good at generating generic ideas, such as predicting the future. It may still “hallucinate”, invent facts or make reasoning errors. During the coming weeks, we will get to know more!
Complement or threat to humans?
GPT is a tool that can complement and enhance human abilities. However, GPT can also perform various tasks that previously required human intelligence and input, such as
- Generating text
- Sumerise texts
- Translating languages
- Translating human language to computer code
- Sentiment analysis
- Answer questions
- Analysing data
GPT could displace human workers in certain industries or fields, leading to job losses and other socio-economic consequences. In another article on this site, we have discussed these challenges more broadly.
Availability
Initially, GPT-4 will only be available to ChatGPT Plus subscribers, who pay $20 monthly for premium service access. Developers can also sign up on a waitlist to use the new language model via the API.
However, GPT-4 is already powering Microsoft’s Bing search engine platform with certain limitations. OpenAI has also announced partnerships with Duolingo and Be My Eyes to create AI Chatbots to assist language learners and visually impaired users.
If you have not yet tried out the “old” ChatGPT, you can get your own free account here!