Yes, of course, no prizes for guesses what the toy in question is – the free version of ChatGPT.
I had already given it a whirl to get inspiration for work things and then also to show off to friends for its potential to help with domestic challenges, such as menu planning. So I kind of knew what it was capable of, but I hadn’t yet tried getting it to provide the core content for a piece of writing. And as these upfront intro words and below closing bullets suggest, I did end up having to step in anyway.
So here goes with what was the final proposed text, after approx 10 additional prompts.
“The pros and cons of working from home:
Working in Canary Wharf meant that I had to endure a 90-minute commute each way, which could be quite exhausting. However, the views of the river Thames and the iconic skyscrapers towering above me always made the journey worthwhile. Despite the impressive scenery, being tied to a strict schedule and a physical location made it difficult to balance work with other aspects of my life. Now that I work from my home office in Hackney, I have the freedom to set my own schedule and take advantage of local amenities like the vibrant food scene and nearby parks.”
Hmm, not great really, for a number of different reasons.
- Mysteriously, the amount of text got shorter and shorter, going from 4/5 meaty paragraphs to the above final rather flimsy offering, despite my prompts to add in new references and bring back earlier text.
- As a result, I’ve lost some of the points I had wanted to make, such as how you “can structure your day to fit in other commitments, such as running errands, fitting in local volunteering opportunities, or going for runs at a time that suits you best. You also have more control over your environment, which can be especially beneficial if you find it hard to concentrate in a busy office. However, there are also downsides to working from home, including the temptation to snack more often and the potential for feeling isolated or disconnected from your colleagues.”
- ChatGPT has managed to slip in a quick hallucination – sadly, I don’t have a home office in Hackney with a vibrant food scene. I would rather it had slipped in something about the clean air and real nature I have in my local area (please admire pics below). Perhaps I should actually be reassured that it can’t work out where I do live!
