More on ChatGPT

You can now create custom versions of ChatGPT called GPTs that combine instructions, extra knowledge or any combinations of skills. For example, you can create specific tasks for work, or at home, and then share that creation with others.  There is almost no limit to what you can ask ChatGPT- it can explain board games, troubleshoot a device, help set up a printer, or it can help negotiate and advocate for yourself. 

The current version is ChatGPT 4, which is a paid service, whereas, the previous version, ChatGPT 3.5, is free.

ChatGPT pulls predictive language from a wide variety of places, so the information usually doesn't come from a single source. Because of this, you typically cannot trace the response back to a single parent source or know where the information came from.

Providing References

When prompted, ChatGPT can provide references. However, these references may not be where the information actually came from and - more importantly - may not be for real sources. Despite sounding credible, ChatGPT can easily hallucinate citations. This can be an issue with other generative AI tools, like Google Gemini (formerly Bard), as well.

For example, ChatGPT provided this citation and summary in response to a prompt about needing an academic journal article on the topic of amphetamine use and social determinants of health:

"Here's an example of a peer-reviewed journal article on amphetamine abuse and its intersections with social determinants of health:
Stoové, M. A., Dietze, P. M., Jolley, D., Fry, C. L., Brewer, N., & Hellard, M. E. (2008). Increasing access to sterile injecting equipment and syringe exchange in a rural area with a high prevalence of bloodborne viruses. Australian Journal of Rural Health, 16(2), 99-106. 
This article describes a study conducted in a rural area of Australia with a high prevalence of bloodborne viruses, including those associated with amphetamine use..." OpenAI. (2023, February 17). [ChatGPT response to a prompt about locating an academic journal article]. https://chat.openai.com/

Although the summary sounds plausible and the citation looks realistic, this article does not exist. The journal exists, as does the lead author. However, Stoové has not published in this journal.

Adapted from Salt Lake Community College Library