The Age of Just a Little Bit of Knowledge

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Lately, I’ve been using ChatGPT, the new AI tool, to do some things for me, such as writing code, creating Excel formulas, and writing ad copy for a book. I could do any of these chores without ChatGPT, but here’s the thing – using the AI is soooo much faster than the alternative. With AI, you have to know enough to ask the question (intelligent prompts), sniff out wrong answers/instructions, and then apply the answer. What you don’t have to be is an expert. In other words, the 2020s is the age of just knowing enough to think of what you’d like and ask the AI to “make it so.”

Here's a short guide to navigate the new world:

  • Think of what you want: Sound elementary? We’re so used to the Google search bar that it takes a moment to switch gears. “Give me three recipes for snow ice cream and a couple of jokes about it for publishing in a kids magazine. Use the style of Rodney Dangerfield.” Make ChatGPT do the work!

  • State the obvious: When you are asking for things, make sure you explicitly state all necessary information. For example, if you need an average temperature calculated from a list of temperatures, specify the format and any exclusions (omitt the "F") needed.

  • Ask for references: When seeking information, request supporting evidence. For example: “Compare the effectiveness of high-intensity exercise routines (“HIT”) with traditional, long-duration routines. Provide ten references (books, authors, URLs)  supporting your conclusion.”

  • Let it compose uncomfortable emails for you: ChatGPT can handle delicate correspondence, such as informing someone about the cancellation of a summer internship.

  • Want to write a book? Provide a title and brief description, then ask ChatGPT to create a detailed outline for you.

  • Language translations: Provide the text and request translations into multiple languages.


Although the current iteration of ChatGPT-4 (at the time of this writing) is not AGI (artificial general intelligence), it is so radically different from traditional search that I’m having trouble making the cognitive leap – I’ve got a free servant that will do stuff for me. Let me call him Cuthbert. Even now (with some software tweaks), Cuthbert can put things on my calendar, send emails for me, alert me of something that has happened, and so on. Very soon, it will have arms and legs, like Pinocchio becoming a real boy. Are we ready?

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