Stories to fuel your mind

Make the Most of ChatGPT—but Beware the Downsides

Chatbots can be helpful for everyday tasks, but users need to be aware of concerns from data privacy to racial bias.

Reece Rogers

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One of the most difficult aspects of covering generative AI is the sheer amount of very public change that's transpired so far in 2023. Instead of feeding into the hype around ChatGPT, the AI Unlocked newsletter helps readers understand real ways chatbots can benefit their life.

This collection brings together multiple perspectives on AI for a holistic look at the nascent technology, from reporters investigating the big ethical issues surrounding chatbots to service writers searching for ways it might be helpful in an everyday context.

Image by Dusan Stankovic / Getty Images

AI Unlocked

“ChatGPT can be quite helpful, if you approach it with the right perspective. It’s crucial to take responses from AI with a skeptical mindset. In my five-day newsletter series, I try to approach the topic in a practical, level-headed way that acknowledges different issues with the technology.” -Reece Rogers

Chatbots Got Big—and Their Ethical Red Flags Got Bigger

RR: “This article from Khari earlier 2023 is critical reading to understand the larger picture about chatbots like ChatGPT. When there’s a rush of money to be made in Silicon Valley, companies are quick to overlook ethical conundrums.”

6 Tips for Using ChatGPT to Brainstorm Better

RR: “Here’s an article for anyone who hasn’t tried out ChatGPT, and there’s absolutely no shame in that! Experiment with it as a brainstorm partner to bounce ideas off.”

Generative AI Is Making Companies Even More Thirsty for Your Data

RR: “To power a generative AI tool, tons and tons of data is necessary. But where exactly does all of it come from, and how much of it involves your personal information and interactions online? It’s hard to know right now, but more people are demanding answers.”

AI Is Coming for Your Web Browser. Here’s How to Use It

RR: “It’s not just a writing tool, a chatbot can also act as your personal assistant. While there are plenty of kinks to work out, it’s fun to test out a new approach to browsing through online information.”

The Fanfic Sex Trope That Caught a Plundering AI Red-Handed

RR: “In this wild article, Rose explores the weird (and quite NSFW) ways online subcultures are impacting the output of mainstream tech products.”

How to Use Google Bard to Find Images Faster

RR: “Here’s another interesting example of using a chatbot in a way that focuses less on text creation and more on searching through reams of information.”

The Magic and Minstrelsy of Generative AI

RR: “Best known for his culture-defining essay about digital blackface on TikTok, Jason investigates how AI chatbots and image generators continue to perpetuate racist stereotypes.”

What OpenAI Really Wants

RR: “Looking for a weekend, long-read? Steven spent months working on a rare, inside look into OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT. It’s over an hour long, but the audio version is worth listening to.”

Meet the Humans Trying to Keep Us Safe From AI

RR: “Yes, there are many different reasons to worry about AI, but I found this piece that features multiple people who want to make a positive impact to be heartening.”

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Reece Rogers

Reece Rogers is WIRED's service writer, focused on explaining crucial topics and helping readers get the most out of their technology. Prior to WIRED, he covered streaming at Insider.

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