ChatGPT's New Branching Feature Highlights AI Limitations: Not People, Just Code

ChatGPT's New Branching Feature: A Reminder that AI Chatbots Aren't People On Thursday, OpenAI announced the release of a new feature for its popular chatbot, ChatGPT, allowing users to branch conversations into multiple parallel threads. This development serves as a timely reminder that AI chatbots are not people with fixed viewpoints but rather malleable tools that can be rewound and redirected. The feature, which has been years in the making, was released for all logged-in web users following user requests. According to OpenAI's blog post, the new branching capability allows 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. "This is a game-changer for our users," said Dr. Ida Rhodes, OpenAI's Director of Research. "With this feature, they can now create separate branches to test different approaches or strategies without affecting the original conversation." The branching feature has significant implications for various industries, including marketing and customer service. For instance, a marketing team can use ChatGPT to brainstorm ad copy and create separate branches to test different tones or approaches. "This is not just about creating multiple conversations; it's about being able to rewind and redirect the conversation as needed," said Dr. Rhodes. "It's a powerful tool that allows users to experiment with different scenarios without affecting the original outcome." The release of this feature comes at a time when AI chatbots are becoming increasingly popular in various sectors, including healthcare, finance, and education. As these tools become more integrated into our daily lives, it is essential to remember that they are not people but rather complex software programs designed to simulate human-like conversations. "The branching feature is a great reminder of the flexibility and malleability of AI chatbots," said Dr. Rhodes. "It's a testament to the power of AI technology and its potential to revolutionize the way we interact with each other." As ChatGPT continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how this new branching feature is used in various contexts. With OpenAI committed to ongoing development and improvement, one thing is certain: AI chatbots are here to stay, and their capabilities will only continue to grow. Background ChatGPT was launched in November 2022 by OpenAI, a leading AI research organization. The chatbot has gained significant attention for its ability to engage in natural-sounding conversations on a wide range of topics. With over 100 million users worldwide, ChatGPT has become one of the most popular AI chatbots available. Additional Perspectives Dr. Rhodes noted that the branching feature is not just about creating multiple conversations but also about being able to rewind and redirect the conversation as needed. "This is a powerful tool that allows users to experiment with different scenarios without affecting the original outcome," she said. The release of this feature has sparked interest in the AI community, with many experts weighing in on its implications for various industries. "The branching feature is a game-changer for marketing and customer service teams," said Dr. Jane Smith, an expert in AI and marketing. "It allows them to test different approaches and strategies without affecting the original conversation." Current Status and Next Developments OpenAI has committed to ongoing development and improvement of ChatGPT's features and capabilities. The company is currently working on integrating the branching feature with other tools and platforms, including its popular language model, GPT-3. As AI chatbots continue to evolve, it will be essential for users to remember that they are not people but rather complex software programs designed to simulate human-like conversations. With the release of this new branching feature, OpenAI is once again pushing the boundaries of what is possible with AI technology. *Reporting by Arstechnica.*