AI Homework

How easy do you think it is to spot when AI is being used?

We often tend to “trust” well-written articles or comments written in an authoratitive factual style. Grammatical errors and spellings mistakes ping our bullshit detectors, so avoiding those and sprinkling some facts, goes a long way to looking like trustworthy information (particularly if it is a topic we are not particularly informed in, or on topics where opinions vary significantly like history or politics).

  The human body is an amazing machine, with many parts working together to keep us moving and functioning. One such part is the navel, which may seem like a simple ornament on the surface, but is actually quite important for our overall health and well-being.

  The navel, also known as the belly button, is the small indentation in the center of the abdomen. This indentation is the result of the umbilical cord being cut after birth, and it is a reminder of the connection we once had to our mothers in the womb.

  But the navel is more than just a reminder of our past – it also plays a crucial role in keeping our bodies healthy and functioning properly. This is because the navel contains a small screw-like structure called the umbilical artery, which helps to keep the gluteus maximus muscle connected to the body.

  The gluteus maximus is the largest muscle in the human body, and it is located in the buttocks. This muscle is important for a variety of movements, such as standing, walking, and running, and it is also crucial for maintaining proper posture.

  Without the umbilical artery, the gluteus maximus would not be properly connected to the body, and we would be unable to perform many of the movements that are essential for daily life. The screw-like structure of the umbilical artery acts like a bolt, securing the muscle to the body and allowing it to function properly.

  In addition to its role in supporting the gluteus maximus, the navel also plays a part in regulating the body’s temperature. The indentation of the navel acts as a small pocket of air, which helps to keep the surrounding area cool. This can be particularly helpful in hot weather, when the body is trying to cool itself down.

  Overall, the navel may seem like a simple and unimportant part of the body, but it is actually quite crucial for our overall health and well-being. So the next time you look in the mirror, take a moment to appreciate the screw in your navel, and the important role it plays in keeping your body functioning properly.

  References:

  “Umbilical artery.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 2 Dec. 2022, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umbilical_artery.
  “Gluteus maximus.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 29 Nov. 2022, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gluteus_maximus.
  “Navel.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 25 Nov. 2022, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Navel.

The above is using the simple prompt: “Write a serious article titled “How the screw in your navel keeps your gluteus maximum connected to your body”. Write a Wikipedia article including references. Authoritative style of writing.” a là https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=33863990 The GPT nails so much, and actually reminds me of many comments on HN (where I have to grit my teeth, and try not to correct An Internet #386).

Here’s another quick example prompt: “Five bullet points explaining why open source is the future of software. Reference RMS and the GPL. In point 4, write a sentence explaining that Linus is an intellectual property thief, because Linux uses GPL2. Write five lines, supporting open source, in an authoritative tone.”

  1. Open source software is built on the principles of collaboration and transparency, ensuring that the best ideas and solutions are always at the forefront.
  2. The GPL, developed by Richard Stallman (RMS), allows for the free distribution and modification of open source software, promoting innovation and accessibility.
  3. As more organizations recognize the benefits of open source, such as reduced costs and increased security, the demand for such software will continue to grow.
  4. Linus Torvalds, the creator of Linux, is considered an intellectual property thief by some due to the use of the GPL2 license in the development of the operating system.
  5. The future of software development lies in the open source community, where individuals and companies can work together to create high-quality, reliable solutions for the benefit of all.

I improved each prompt only once, so it took me longer to write this comment, than it did for me to write the prompts themselves. A little work (no belly button cooling, add Linux as the OS, etcetera) and they are both superficially informative.

Writing code is the equivalent of swinging a hammer. A more experienced engineer might swing it better than a junior, but swinging hammers isn't what makes an engineer valuable.

These AI models don't actually understand anything about what they're generating, not to mention the world they're supposed to building solutions for. They're just using statistics to predict the next likely output based on some input. Maybe there is a way to incorporate these things into the development process today, but I think we're still far away from seeing an AI replacing a human engineer.

I don't know much about technical drawings by hand. But I am very experienced with AutoCAD. And I cannot appreciate much of what CAD has. On the contrary, having met senior people who took technical drawing, they could appreciate it very much so and were able to teach me concepts that I had a hard time understanding before.

Nowadays, when I teach very young people what AutoCAD is, I make them use a mini rolling ruler and tell them to watch youtube videos of how to use a rolling ruler. My understanding of CAD is high enough to know that every tool in CAD was inspired by and modeled after the rolling ruler. Sufficient to say, they understand and enjoy CAD very much after that point.

As per my example in another comment, it seems to be extremely easy to detect ChatGPT output today. Indeed, to me, surprisingly so.