To use ChatGPT and similar tools effectively, it is important to understand how they work. HSLU lecturer Marc Pouly explains the basics in the following video (in German):https://hub.hslu.ch/informatik/so-funktionieren-chatgpt-und-co-unser-experten-video/
In a nutshell: ChatGPT lets us „talk“ to a pre-trained AI language model. GPT stands for Generative Pre-trained Transformer. Transformers are a special type of model for processing natural language. ChatGPT „answers“ our questions by generating sequences of words, i.e. sentences that are likely to match the question asked. The meaning behind the terms is irrelevant. It is not about the actual meaning of the words, but about statistical patterns.
You can find further helpful materials for understanding how it works here:
- Explanatory video by Südwestdeutscher Rundfunk (2min, in German)
https://www.swr.de/wissen/chatbots-wie-funktioniert-chat-gpt-100.html - Annotated link collection for the use of ChatGPT in higher education (Hochschulforum Digitalisierung, in German)
https://hochschulforumdigitalisierung.de/de/blog/chatgpt-im-hochschulkontext-%E2%80%93-eine-kommentierte-linksammlung#Was%20ist? - Infographics in the series How ChatGPT Learns on the Lernende Systeme online platform (in German): Step 1, Step 2, Step 3, Step 4
https://www.plattform-lernende-systeme.de/infografiken.html
