{"id":2838502,"date":"2023-01-18T14:09:52","date_gmt":"2023-01-18T19:09:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/onthinktanks.org\/?post_type=announcement&p=2838502"},"modified":"2023-03-09T15:14:42","modified_gmt":"2023-03-09T20:14:42","slug":"understanding-your-audience","status":"publish","type":"announcement","link":"https:\/\/onthinktanks.org\/announcement\/understanding-your-audience\/","title":{"rendered":"AI: Understanding your audience"},"content":{"rendered":"
Throughout the various interactions I had with ChatGPT for this first effort to experiment with ChatGPT, I kept wondering about the technology’s ability to understand my purpose. As researchers and consultants we know that our audiences’ and clients’ intentions matter. If we are to give them what they need then we need to know why they want a service or output and how they intend to use it.<\/p>\n
Whenever I asked a question, ChatGPT did not ask me: Why do you want to know this? It just went ahead and provided an answer. So what happens if I explain why I want to know something? Will the answer change?<\/p>\n
First, I wrote: Misinformation. 500 words<\/em><\/strong>. I guess it understood that I was interested in the subject of misinformation so it did not narrow its response to solutions only and offered a definition and its effects. This is the response:<\/p>\n Misinformation refers to false or misleading information that is intentionally or unintentionally spread. It can take many forms, including false or misleading news stories, hoaxes, conspiracy theories, and propaganda. Misinformation can be spread through various channels, including social media, news organizations, and word of mouth.<\/p>\n One of the key challenges with combating misinformation is that it can be difficult to distinguish from accurate information. Misinformation is often designed to be as convincing as possible, and may be presented alongside genuine sources or evidence. This can make it difficult for people to identify and evaluate the accuracy of the information they come across.<\/p>\n Misinformation can have serious consequences, including undermining public health efforts, damaging relationships, and even inciting violence. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, misinformation about the virus and its spread has led to widespread confusion and hindered efforts to control the spread of the disease. Misinformation can also be used to manipulate public opinion and interfere with democratic processes, such as elections.<\/p>\n There are several strategies that can be effective in combating misinformation, including fact-checking, media literacy education, social media interventions, transparency and accountability, regulation, educational campaigns, and support for journalism organizations. It’s important to use a range of approaches and strategies to effectively combat misinformation, as it is a multifaceted problem.<\/p>\n Combating misinformation is important because it can have serious consequences for individuals and society as a whole. By promoting accurate and reliable information, it is possible to protect people from the harmful effects of misinformation and ensure that they have the information they need to make informed decisions.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Then I wrote:\u00a0Fight misinformation. 500 words<\/em><\/strong>. By adding the word fight I am suggesting my intention. I am not interested in understanding what it is but in doing something about it. But who am I? Why am I typing this command? ChatGPT offers a list of very general interventions to fight misinformation:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n There are several interventions that can be effective in fighting misinformation. Some options include:<\/p>\n By implementing these interventions, it is possible to effectively combat misinformation and promote the spread of accurate and reliable information. It’s important to remember that combating misinformation is a multifaceted problem that requires a variety of approaches and strategies. By using a range of interventions, it is possible to make a meaningful impact in the fight against misinformation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Then I made a small change. What If I say that I want to fight misinformation? How can I fight misinformation? 500 words.<\/em><\/strong> Interestingly the response is very different. When I add myself into the question ChatGPT tailors its answer to what a person can do to fight misinformation:<\/p>\n Combating misinformation is important because it can have serious consequences, including undermining public health efforts, damaging relationships, and even inciting violence. Here are some tips for fighting misinformation:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n By following these tips, you can help combat misinformation and protect yourself and others from its harmful effects. It’s important to remember that misinformation can come from a variety of sources, so it’s important to stay vigilant and critically evaluate the information you come across.<\/p>\n I think this is a very important difference. So what if give ChatGPT more information about who I am and what I want to do with the information? The next question I asked:\u00a0 I am a funder. I want to fund NGOs fighting misinformation. How can I fight misinformation? 500 words.\u00a0<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n As a funder, there are several steps you can take to support efforts to combat misinformation:<\/p>\n By taking these steps, you can play a significant role in combating misinformation and supporting efforts to ensure that the public has access to accurate and reliable information. It’s important to remember that combating misinformation is a multifaceted problem that requires a variety of approaches and strategies. By supporting a range of efforts and organizations, you can help to make a meaningful impact.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n The answers above are different. They are specifically aimed at funders. What about? I am a politician. I want to develop new legislation. How can I fight misinformation? 500 words<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n As a politician, there are several steps you can take to combat misinformation through legislation:<\/p>\n By taking these steps, you can play a significant role in combating misinformation and promoting the spread of accurate and reliable information. It’s important to remember that combating misinformation is a multifaceted problem that requires a variety of approaches and strategies. By developing legislation that addresses multiple aspects of the problem, you can help to make a meaningful impact.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n This simple exercise suggests that while ChatGPT does not take the initiative to understand the purpose of the question or instruction it is able to infer it and, if it is offered to it, it can use it to tailor its response.<\/p>\n I think this is a significant feature of ChatGPT. Its ability to understand (is that the write word) what information is more or less relevant depending on its intended user makes it a serious challenger to thinktankers and consultants.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Introduction Throughout the various interactions I had with ChatGPT for this first effort to experiment with ChatGPT, I kept wondering about the technology’s ability to understand my purpose. As researchers and consultants we know that our audiences’ and clients’ intentions matter. If we are to give them what they need then we need to know […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"template":"","tags":[2655,3321,3323],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/onthinktanks.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/announcement\/2838502"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/onthinktanks.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/announcement"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/onthinktanks.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/announcement"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/onthinktanks.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/announcement\/2838502\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/onthinktanks.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2838502"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/onthinktanks.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2838502"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}\n
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Reflection<\/h1>\n