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Can ChatGPT be Used Ethically
for Content Creation?

AI chatbot at work

It begs the question: Can ChatGPT be used ethically for content creation?

The short answer: Yes.

But it does raise concern among my website-owner buddies (Solo-Build-It!) as a few folks feel (rightly so) that all the content they've created over the years using their own blood, sweat, and tears, is now being made available (albeit regurgitated) at zero to minimal cost to other users?

You see, blog post material is available now - to all - with a few clicks on the keyboard, aka as a "prompt."

Can ChatGPT AI be Used Ethically for Mimicking?

It all began with machine learning done on large language models as a way to predict... (to mimic) what people say or write.

After years of devouring content, its sophisticated output is simply amazing. But can ChatGPT be used ethically for website content?

Read further on about "Trust, but Verify."

How did it all start? I honestly suggest you get a copy of Amy Webb's book.

It's called "The Big Nine," which deftly describes AI's origin and intended purpose(s).

The book is frightening, yet reassuring at the same time - if that's possible.

What are Large Language Models?

This is directly from ChatGPT as I didn't know how to adequately describe what "Large Language Models" are:

Large Language Models, such as ChatGPT, are a type of artificial intelligence model that has been trained on vast amounts of text data to understand and generate human-like language. These models use complex neural networks and machine learning algorithms to predict and generate text based on the context they have been given.

The term "large" typically refers to the size and complexity of the model, which is often measured by the number of parameters it contains.

Models with billions of parameters, like GPT-3 or GPT-4, are considered large language models. These models can perform a wide range of tasks, such as answering questions, generating text, summarizing content, and translating languages, among others.

Large Language Models have advanced significantly in recent years, with improvements in training techniques and computational resources, resulting in more accurate and useful AI language capabilities.

Higher Education and Academic Writing

people using desktop computersCreated with Midjourney

The use of artificial intelligence language models, such as ChatGPT in academic writing is raising ethical concerns, such as the ability to avoid getting a failing grade on a research paper.

To me, that defeats the object of having a brain. What's the point of having a brain and learning a skill, if a test-taker can simply search the net and copy and paste in answers - and pass? Where's the wisdom and usefulness in that?

Can ChatGPT be Used Ethically for Test-Taking?

Can ChatGPT be used ethically for test taking? After all, we're relying on machine memory and not our own memory. Talk about a cheat sheet where you can answer test questions using an AI program that provides human-like responses that fool teachers. Not anymore.

I asked ChatGPT this question (feeling somewhat awkward): "What steps are teachers taking to avoid students using AI to take tests for them?"

Its response: 

Educators are aware of the potential for students to use AI tools like chatbots or language models to cheat on tests or complete assignments. To combat this issue, they are employing various strategies:

  1. Proctoring: Many institutions use proctoring services or software that monitors students during online tests. These systems can detect unusual activities or behaviors, such as accessing other websites, using unauthorized software, or unusual typing patterns.
  2. Unique and personalized questions: Teachers can design questions that are specific to the course content, require personal insights, or are based on classroom discussions. By doing so, they make it more challenging for AI tools to generate accurate answers.
  3. Time limits: Imposing strict time limits on tests can make it more difficult for students to rely on external tools, as they will have limited time to consult AI-based solutions.
  4. Open-ended questions and critical thinking: Focusing on questions that require critical thinking, creativity, and personal reflection can make it harder for AI tools to generate appropriate responses. These questions often require students to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate information rather than simply recall facts.
  5. In-person or supervised exams: For high-stakes tests, conducting in-person or supervised exams can help ensure that students do not have access to unauthorized tools, including AI chatbots.
  6. Encouraging academic integrity: Educators can emphasize the importance of academic integrity and establish clear consequences for cheating. This approach can deter students from using AI or other means to cheat on tests.
  7. Using plagiarism detection software: While not specifically targeting AI-generated content, plagiarism detection software can help identify instances where students have used external sources without proper citation, which could include AI-generated content.

By employing these strategies, teachers can create a more secure testing environment and encourage students to develop genuine understanding and critical thinking skills.

Medical Mishap?

Medical Professionals and audienceCreated with Midjourney

Many proponents of AI's use beyond educational institutions, such as in the medical field, created quite a stir in the UK when data scraping took place on patients' records - without their consent or knowledge.

The sensitive information would be used to aid doctors in reaching better and faster diagnoses. Such technology was intended to help, not hurt.

Granted, decades ago we balked at using a calculator, thinking we'd forget how to multiply and subtract (on paper) but there's no way the average person knows the square root of 234 off the top of their head, and we were grateful for pocket-sized calculators.

BTW, the answer is 15.297058. Thanks, Texas Instruments.

AI Chatbots

OK, another awkward moment here (as I use AI to get answers!): I asked ChatGPT this: "Was ChatGPT originally intended as an AI Chatbot?" Before I provide its answer, I want to add here that I had two typos in my original prompt... but ChatGPT knew what I meant...

Its reply: 

Yes, ChatGPT is designed to function as an AI chatbot. It is a descendant of the GPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformer) family of language models developed by OpenAI. These models have been trained on vast amounts of text data and are intended to understand and generate human-like language.

The primary goal of ChatGPT is to engage in conversation with users, answer questions, provide useful information, and assist with various tasks.

The development of ChatGPT has been an iterative process, with each new version improving upon the previous one. For example, GPT-2, released in 2019, demonstrated impressive language generation capabilities but had limitations in terms of coherence and content understanding.

GPT-3, released in 2020, brought significant improvements in these areas, and GPT-4 continued to build upon its predecessors.

Overall, ChatGPT and other large language models have become more capable over time, enabling them to function as increasingly effective AI chatbots for various applications, such as customer support, content generation, and virtual assistance.

Back to me: Thus, an artificial intelligence chatbot was born. By the way, ChatGPT was "open source" as a non-profit, but is now owned by Microsoft. Elon Musk had a huge hand in OpenAI when it truly was open source.

So we're back to the question: Can ChatGPT be used ethically if all we do is spew out content that comes from who knows where? It has to learn it from somewhere, it needs training data.

The first step was to read the past few decades' worth of pages and pages of internet stuff. Data security didn't seem to matter as the content was "out there" freely for anyone to read, right?

A search engine brings back content related to your search (prompt). In the early days, there were issues with sentence structure and false information output. It's getting better and better, with every passing...second. (Not days, weeks, or months... but seconds - probably nano-seconds).

Social Media Buzz...

Social media has been abuzz with Elon Musk's proclamation to "put AI on pause." His fear is how fast AI can learn and predict without needing human instruction. How quickly will it reach the point of critical thinking, bypassing human intervention?

There's no doubt that ChatGPT is a useful tool in creating a first draft - all the way to a final draft - as it creates human-like text responses.

In the writing process, always edit your AI-generated content and fact-check it if you're still wondering "Can ChatGPT be used ethically" to create content.

If you run it through the likes of Originality.ai, then the answer is yes. How so? It will force you to rewrite content so that it is "your own" (version).

Copy Editors Going Out of Business?

There is a growing fear that copy editors and writers will be out of a job. These generative AI tools have become 'the norm' for composing books, live chats, and creating music!

Use ChatGPT to write song lyrics, and then try an AI-assisted music app, and hey presto! You're a best-selling song artist.

But not so fast.

It still takes human intelligence to ask (prompt) AI models to give us the output we can use, with ethical considerations to all concerned, in all industries.

Blissful Bloggers

OMG, I was so excited (and still am!) about the ability to use ChatGPT and other AI technology to help me write blog posts. Gone are the days of the blank screen and blinking cursor.

My first jaunt into AI was through "Jasper," formerly known as Jarvis. That was back in August of 2022. I was mesmerized by how helpful AI was, in getting over writer's block when all that came to mind were "two steps" to dehydrating herbs at home.

I simply asked Jasper to give me all the steps necessary, complete with instructions, on how to grow and dehydrate herbs using a dehydrator. My freebie eBook was born!

It's up to you, then, to verify the content. Reminds me of the great late Ronald Reagan when he said:

Ronald Reagan - Midjourney generated

"Trust, but verify."

But how do you verify? Yep, you do an internet search. It's a vicious cycle, really. There will come a time (if it's not already here) that we have to trust what we read.

Google searches will only bring back what people deem to be "the right answer" because they remained at a certain SERP result/page for 'x' amount of minutes, causing it to rank higher and (appear to) be trustworthy.

If it's "Just a New Tool"... Can ChatGPT be Used Ethically?

The use of ChatGPT shouldn't make you afraid. It's just a new tool, like the calculator. Admittedly, it's a massive industry "disruptor" that provides new ways to create content for an ever-thirsty content-ridden market.

I know, every guy and his dog has a blog. That's why I wanted to write this page. My website host, Solo-Build-It!, has released "Tai," (Transformative AI) which will help us SBIers create even more outstanding blog posts with the aid of AI. 

Check out SBI here. Start your own blog as a side hustle. Join me inside SBI! and get a head start on your work-from-home blog.

Thanks for stopping by to read "Can ChatGPT be used ethically for content creation." I hope you found it encouraging.

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Susan Gast

Since 1980 Susan's involvement in publishing - in one form or another - led her to write "reviews" of apps and tools related to the publishing industry.

She realized it was time to explain how she published all her books and got them to market. To that end, she created this website to showcase her puzzle books and other fiction and non-fiction books she's written and produced since 2012. Read Susan's story here.

Susan has been featured on the Mother Earth News blog, and on Solo Build It (SBI). Read her first SBI interview and her second SBI interview. This site is hosted by the amazing team at Solo Build It! along with her sister site, Easy Food Dehydrating.

Do you want to send Susan a quick message? Visit her contact page here. She'd love to hear from you!