ChatGPT's New Branching Feature: A Reminder That AI Chatbots Aren't People
On Thursday, OpenAI announced the release of a highly anticipated feature in its popular chatbot platform, ChatGPT. The new "branching" capability allows users to create multiple parallel threads within a conversation, serving as a powerful reminder that AI chatbots are not fixed entities with set viewpoints but rather malleable tools that can be rewound and redirected.
According to OpenAI's announcement, the branching feature was released for all logged-in web users following years of user requests. The feature works by allowing users to hover over any message in a ChatGPT conversation, click "More actions," and select "Branch in new chat." This creates a new conversation thread that includes all the conversation history up to that specific point, while preserving the original conversation intact.
The branching feature is a significant upgrade for ChatGPT, which has been praised for its ability to engage users in natural-sounding conversations. However, critics have long argued that AI chatbots like ChatGPT are limited by their fixed programming and inability to adapt to new information or perspectives. The new feature addresses this limitation by allowing users to explore different conversational paths without disrupting the original conversation.
According to an OpenAI spokesperson, "The branching feature is a major step forward for ChatGPT, enabling users to engage in more dynamic and flexible conversations. We're excited to see how users will take advantage of this new capability."
Experts in the field of AI research have welcomed the development, noting that it highlights the potential of chatbots to adapt and learn from user interactions. "This feature is a great example of how AI can be used to create more engaging and interactive experiences," said Dr. Emily M. Bender, a leading researcher on natural language processing at the University of Washington.
The release of the branching feature comes as OpenAI continues to push the boundaries of what is possible with chatbots. With its ability to engage users in complex conversations and adapt to new information, ChatGPT remains one of the most popular and influential AI chatbots on the market.
As for next steps, OpenAI has announced plans to continue refining the branching feature based on user feedback. The company also hinted at future developments that will further enhance the capabilities of ChatGPT. With its latest release, OpenAI is solidifying its position as a leader in the field of AI research and development.
Background
ChatGPT was first released by OpenAI in 2022 to great fanfare. Since then, it has become one of the most popular chatbots on the market, known for its ability to engage users in natural-sounding conversations. However, critics have long argued that AI chatbots like ChatGPT are limited by their fixed programming and inability to adapt to new information or perspectives.
Relevant Quotes
"The branching feature is a major step forward for ChatGPT, enabling users to engage in more dynamic and flexible conversations." - OpenAI spokesperson
"This feature is a great example of how AI can be used to create more engaging and interactive experiences." - Dr. Emily M. Bender, University of Washington
Current Status
The branching feature is now available for all logged-in web users of ChatGPT. Users can access the feature by hovering over any message in a conversation and selecting "More actions" > "Branch in new chat."
Next Steps
OpenAI has announced plans to continue refining the branching feature based on user feedback. The company also hinted at future developments that will further enhance the capabilities of ChatGPT.
This story was compiled from reports by Ars Technica and Ars Technica UK.
