Chat GPT and Google Gemini are just two examples of Artificial Intelligence tools called large language models.

You can determine what type of AI tools you require  depending if you need broad applications for general-purpose use or if you have specific tasks like writing, coding, or design.

David Gerhard, Head of the Computer Science Department at the University of Manitoba says these tools, while providing time-saving and computational features, have their limits.

“They don’t know the difference between the real world and the fantasy world, they don’t know the difference between something that they have made up and something that’s real and that is kind of a problem. We have come to expect our computer systems to understand what truth and accuracy is because that is sort of why we built computers in the first place. So the fact that these things don’t understand truth means that they get things wrong all the time and that’s a real pitfall.”

Gerhard says that’s why it’s important for there to be what is called “a human in the loop” - a person who will evaluate the output of the AI and then make an informed and responsible decision based on that output.

For more on artificial intelligence, its applications and challenges, tune in to Thompson Today at 12:40 and 5:10 this afternoon.