ChatGPT from OpenAI is taking the internet by storm, and new users are getting creative in testing out the new tool’s capabilities.

Earlier this year, we introduced you to Craiyon, an AI bot that we asked to draw six of Cola’s most iconic landmarks. While Those were a bit underwhelming, CHATGPT is impressive in its initial capacity.

How does it work?

The tool allows users to ask questions using their natural language and it responds in a conversational language. It also remembers your dialog to help inform its next responses.

With over one million new users trying it out within days of its launch, we decided to have a little conversation and see what it knows about Columbia, SC.

COLAtoday:Good Morning, ChatGPT, can you tell me how Columbia, South Carolina was founded?

ChatGPT: Columbia, South Carolina was founded in 1786 as the new state capital of South Carolina. The city was named for Christopher Columbus, and it was planned and designed by surveyor Charles Gabriel. The city was laid out in a grid pattern, with a central square that was intended to be the center of government, commerce, and culture. Columbia grew quickly after its founding, becoming an important regional center for trade and industry. Today, Columbia is the largest city in South Carolina and the state's capital.

Our take —Impressive, right? A bit scary even. This answer took just seconds to populate in front of our eyes.

Potential problems

The mission of OpenAI is to develop a "safe and beneficial" artificial general intelligence system and to help others. Still, ChatGPT can be wrong, and it can’t offer you any real-time info. Those are just a few of the flaws users have found so far.

The answers are immediate and seem fairly accurate, but where is the AI chat pulling this information? The answers don't come with any sources, so we decided to ask.

COLAtoday: Can you tell me what your sources are for this?

ChatGPT: As a large language model trained by OpenAI, I do not have the ability to browse the internet or access real-time information, so I do not have specific sources for this information. The information I provided is based on my training and general knowledge of Columbia, SC. I do not have specific sources for this information, but the information is consistent with what is typically provided about the city's history by reputable sources.

COLAtoday: Write me some song lyrics about the Carolinas.

ChatGPT: Here are some possible song lyrics about the Carolinas:

Verse 1:

Down in the Carolinas

Where the air is sweet and warm

Where the palmettos sway

And the sun shines every day

Chorus:

Oh, the Carolinas

Where the spirits never die

Where the people are kind

And the beauty is divine

Verse 2:

From the mountains to the sea

There's a magic in the air

From the cities to the farms

There's a soul that's always calm

Chorus:

Oh, the Carolinas

Where the spirits never die

Where the people are kind

And the beauty is divine

Bridge:

From the Piedmont to the Coast

There's a land that's rich and bold

Where the past and present meet

And the future's full of dreams

Chorus:

Oh, the Carolinas

Where the spirits never die

Where the people are kind

And the beauty is divine

Outro:

In the Carolinas

Where the heart is always true

We will always call it home

COLAtoday: Write a newsletter of COLAtoday for me.

ChatGPT: I apologize, but I am not able to write a newsletter for COLAtoday. As a large language model trained by OpenAI, I do not have the ability to browse the internet or access real-time information, so I do not have the knowledge or expertise to write a newsletter about current events in Columbia, SC. If you need assistance with writing a newsletter, I would recommend consulting with a professional writer or editor who has experience in this area.

Let us know how you are experimenting with ChatGPT and how you think we could see it used in our community.