ChatGPT has demonstrated its value as a reliable source of technical information. The question arises: can it extend its capabilities to offer social advice as well?
According to a research published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology, newer versions of ChatGPT are more effective in providing personal advice compared to professional columnists.
ChatGPT offers better advice than columnists
In a brief span of two months following its November 2022 release, ChatGPT had garnered approximately 100 million monthly users. Powered by one of the most extensive language models to date, the paid version (GPT-4) boasts an impressive 1.76 trillion parameters, marking a significant advancement in AI technology and sparking a revolution in the industry.
ChatGPT is a highly versatile chatbot that has been trained on a vast amount of text data from the internet. It can provide advice on a wide range of topics, including medicine, law, history, economics, geography, and more. However, it is important to note that fact-checking the answers is always recommended.
AI experts and users have been impressed by its conversational style and versatility. As a result, many individuals have relied on ChatGPT for personal advice due to its extensive knowledge and capabilities.
Offering personal advice demands empathy. Research indicates that advice without perceived empathy may be rejected by the recipient, causing feelings of alienation. Personal dilemmas often lack clear solutions; hence, compassionate judgment holds greater value than being “right” in providing effective guidance.
ChatGPT lacks training on empathy and ethical judgement
ChatGPT, designed for word prediction, lacks explicit training in empathy and ethical judgment. For instance, the GPT 3.5 Turbo model faced challenges in providing social advice, despite understanding user situations well.
Its flaw lay in neglecting emotional needs, resembling Lucy in Peanuts by prioritizing advice over emotional care. This resulted in poor user ratings, highlighting the importance of addressing emotional aspects for a more effective interaction.
The good news is that ChatGPT with GPT-4 introduces a feature for multiple responses to a question, enhancing social appropriateness and empathy through user feedback.