ChatGPT 101: What is ChatGPT?

Released in November 2022, ChatGPT is a chatbot developed by OpenAI, a startup founded in 2015. ChatGPT is what’s known as a natural language processing tool, based around a powerful AI that uses data from the internet to compose its own text. It can answer almost any question, and produce almost any content. GPT-3 is the current version, with the next version, GPT-4, slated for release later this year.

How Does ChatGPT Work?

In response to the query, “How would I describe GPT-3 to a non-technical audience?”, the chatbot offers the following answer:

“GPT-3, or Generative Pretrained Transformer 3, is a powerful language processing tool developed by OpenAI. It is a type of artificial intelligence (AI) that is designed to understand and generate natural human language […] It is considered to be one of the most advanced language processing AI systems in the world […] Overall, GPT-3 is a remarkable example of the power of AI to understand and generate human language.”

AI chatbots have been around for a while, with the first, ELIZA, created way back in the sixties. Neither will ChatGPT be the last, but it’s the most advanced — hence the excitement and widespread media coverage so far.

ChatGPT 101

Is ChatGPT Free?

At present, ChatGPT is completely free to use. On the other hand, OpenAI is currently rolling out a paid subscription service, ChatGPT Plus. For now, it’s only available in the US, but there are plans to release it in other regions. The paid subscription if $20/month and offers:

1. Better access to the chatbot, even during peak times;
2. Faster response times;
3. And priority access to new features.

How Do I Sign Up for an Account?

You can easily register for an account by heading over to OpenAI’s dedicated product page. Select “Try ChatGPT” and you’ll be taken to the following portal:

How Do You Use ChatGPT? What Can You Do with ChatGPT?

There is an incredible amount of possibilities for what you can do with ChatGPT. For example, it can:

• Carry out coding
• Write email replies
• Compose essays and articles on any topic
• Write poems and song lyrics
• Create AI artwork and design briefs
• Write shopping lists
• And even write messages for dating apps

Real-life uses have included:

• Researchers created a new polymorphic malware with the AI.
• When requested by software company, Sprinklr, ChatGPT composed a rap dissing Google.
• It’s also been used as a Linux terminal and software tool.
• It can be used as an effective SEO and authoring tool.
• ChatGPT has even been used to come up with great brand names.

What Can I Do if ChatGPT Is at Capacity?

Users are increasingly seeing the alert message, “Chat GPT is at capacity right now”, which prevents them using the chatbot. Because of its immense popularity, the servers are frequently overloaded — or to put it simply, too many people are using it. There are four options here:

1. If you’re based in the US, you can pay for the Plus subscription, ensuring continued access.
2. Simply try again later, or pick a time when the servers will be less busy.
3. Use a VPN service to try a different IP address. Why not give our Trend Micro VPN a go?
4. Some users have also found success by using an incognito or private mode on their browser.

ChatGPT Cybersecurity Concerns

Any new technology raises concerns about cybersecurity, and that’s the case with ChatGPT, too. As stated above, the chatbot can be used to write malicious coding and create viruses. Researchers have also warned that cybercriminals can use ChatGPT to compose the text for phishing emails at a fraction of the cost — meaning more phishing emails and more cyber threats.

OpenAI have developed a free tool for identifying AI-generated content. It’s called “AI Text Classifier”, and is available here. ChatGPT also offers three suggestions for spotting AI-generated text:

1. Check for patterns and inconsistencies: AI-generated content may have patterns or inconsistencies that indicate it was generated by a machine, such as repeating the same phrase multiple times or using the same structure repeatedly.
2. Look for signs of human error: AI-generated content may contain errors or inconsistencies that would not be present in human-generated content, such as awkward phrasing or lack of context.
3. Check the context: AI-generated content may be out of context or not make sense in the context of the conversation.

In our investigations, we have also found large numbers of fake ChatGPT apps, some being malicious Trojan viruses and others PUAs (“potentially unwanted app”). Be aware of the potential online threats — and remember that there is NO official ChatGPT app.

Trend Micro Mobile Security will give you the defense you need against fake/malicious apps and phone malware. Download Trend Micro Mobile Security today — and guard against cyberthreats with:

• Real-time Web Threat Protection
• Cloud-based AI, Smart Protection Network™, which keeps track of evolving threats
• Trend Micro Pay Guard, which opens payment windows
• Anti-phishing/spam software
• Folder shields that protect your most sensitive data

Finally, if ChatGPT 101 is not enough for you, read more about ChatGPT and its effect on children, head over to our article, “How Will ChatGPT Affect Children and Their Education?”.

As ever, if you’ve found this article an interesting and/or helpful read, please do SHARE it with friends and family to help keep the online community secure and protected — and consider leaving a like or comment below.