As a newcomer to the world of ChatGPT, my initial interactions were akin to using it as a replacement for Google searches. I peppered it with various questions, trying to understand its capabilities. However, the true prowess of ChatGPT emerged when I shifted from asking “What is this?” to giving more directive instructions like, “Write this, under these specific conditions.” This transition felt like discovering an exceptionally intelligent secretary, a being not just of vast knowledge, but of profound intellect.
In Japan, there’s a common narrative about graduates from the University of Tokyo (Todai). As these bright young minds join companies, they often encounter senior colleagues who challenge them with questions like, “Do you know this? Or that?”—a subtle way of testing and, at times, undermining their intelligence. But these Todai graduates are not just repositories of information; their true essence lies in their intellect.
Just as these company veterans eventually learn to appreciate and effectively utilize the talents of their Todai juniors, transforming into supportive colleagues, I too have begun to harness the full potential of ChatGPT. It’s not just about the information it provides, but how it processes and presents that information.
While it’s too early to say whether ChatGPT is a greater invention than the internet itself, personally, I feel it may prove to be more beneficial for me than social media ever was. ChatGPT, in my experience, is more than a tool; it’s an intellectual companion, one that complements and enhances my own thinking process. This journey has not only been about discovering what ChatGPT can do but also about understanding how best to utilize this remarkable technology.
Atsushi's Life in Korea 