ChatGPT for You

One interesting use of ChatGPT is for English language learners. ChatGPT can help you write a business letter if you tell it the aim (goal) of the letter. For example, a parent of a school-aged child might ask ChatGPT, “Write a letter to a school principal asking how I can find help for my child struggling with math.” A parent could also ask ChatGPT, “List 15 ways for me to get involved in my school’s PTA.”

Naturally, it pays to read carefully what ChatGPT writes. Some of it may not be true, but my experience so far is that ChatGPT can be a useful tool for writing assistance—and for learning English writing skills. For those who might be interested, my own ChatGPT explorations, involving creative writing, are collected together on a website at philshapirochatgptexplorations.blogspot.com.

I am also concerned about the dangers of artificial intelligence and am happy to speak about that topic with community members who visit our library. I work at the library Mondays through Fridays. For our community to succeed, we need to have frequent conversations about the promise and perils of new technologies. Collectively, we can reach some wisdom on this. Be cautious and skeptical, but also keep an open mind. We can learn much from each other.

Read more in the Takoma Park Newsletter.