Mastering ChatGPT 4 - The Basics

Monday, 15/04/2024 | 08:00 GMT by Louis Parks
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ChatGPT
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In today’s fast-paced world, where creativity is a prized asset, professionals of all sorts are constantly seeking tools to enhance their creative output. Enter ChatGPT 4, an advanced version of the popular AI model, ChatGPT.

I was recently tasked with taking an online course on how to master the artificial intelligence (AI ) program ChatGPT, a generative AI system that works with text, audio and video. This is the first post in what will become a series where I’ll present my most important findings, how I believe they can improve your work and workflow (or not), be you a trader, or you work in marketing or accounting. What's for sure is that its ability to quickly drill down into data is interesting for traders and sales teams, and the software's content creation abilities are sure to interest marketing departments.

The course can be found on udemy, but I'll refrain from naming it until I reach the end and can offer up a recommendation, or not. The course takes the form of a series of video lectures featuring the instructor, screenshots and screen recordings and, from time to time, montages of images to illustrate a point.

It then takes the following form, with lectures and materials for each of the following subjects:

Understanding the basic functions of ChatGPT

Prompt engineering

Plugins

Content creation

Research

Personal and professional development

Productivity

Market research

Website building

Search engine optimization

Email marketing

Google Analytics

Job applications and career growth

Here, we're going to explore the first section - Understanding the basic functions of ChatGPT:

ChatGPT 3.5 to ChatGPT 4

ChatGPT 4 is not just an upgrade; it's an entirely different (AI) beast. Its natural response style makes conversations flow more smoothly, resembling more human-like exchanges. This seamless interaction opens up new avenues for creativity, as the AI better understands and responds to complex prompts. One example is the difference in the quality of the text it outputs.

I asked version 3.5 to write me 500 words on Mahatma Gandhi and while it was OK, the version 4 output was much, much more fluid, better structured and better written. The closest I can compare it to would be that 3.5 read like someone who spoke English as a second language, while 4 sounded like a native speaker. 3.5 wasn’t incorrect in any sense, it just wasn’t half as fluid and smooth. Some of the answers were also better structured.

Now, ChatGPT 5 is on the horizon, but, the instructor is eager to inform you, that doesn’t mean that the skills learnt in ChatGPT 4 will suddenly become obsolete. As with so many pieces of software, ChatGPT is largely iterative. In any case, they claim that the course will be updated to cover new releases. Indeed, some of the earlier videos show earlier versions of ChatGPT, such as 3.5, so there’s hope that the core skills and functionality remain similar enough.

Mastering Prompt Engineering

However, the key to getting the most out of ChatGPT 4 is prompt engineering – the art of crafting prompts to receive the best responses. ChatGPT allows you to refine and iterate your prompts. For instance, transforming a simple question into a more specific one can yield more detailed answers. This iterative process encourages creative thinking, enabling you to explore ideas in greater depth. It’s also easy, you just hit the little pencil below your initial prompt and you can edit it and resubmit.

In-Chat Functions

ChatGPT 4 also introduces in-chat functions. You can now copy text and responses, and share them, aiding collaboration within teams. Whether you’re brainstorming ideas or seeking feedback, these functions make it easier to integrate ChatGPT into your workflow.

Simplifying Conversations: One Topic, Better Focus

A pro tip for using ChatGPT 4 is to stick to one topic per conversation. This maintains the context, leading to more coherent and relevant responses. By narrowing the focus, you allow the AI to delve deeper into subjects, aiding in more creative and thorough explorations. You can also easily add follow-up questions that will remain tied to previous questions, e.g. Question 1 – “What are the ingredients in spaghetti Bolognese”, question 2 – “How can I make it vegan?”.

Personalizing ChatGPT: 'My GPTs'

A standout feature of ChatGPT 4 is 'My GPTs,' which lets you customize how the AI responds to you. Tailoring the AI's style and approach can significantly impact creative tasks, making it a versatile tool for various professional needs. But, we’ll get on to that as I progress through the course.

Plug-Ins: Extending Capabilities

The introduction of plugins in ChatGPT 4 marks a significant leap in functionality. These plugins enable the conversion of text to audio and video. Whether it's for content creation or presentation enhancement, these plugins add a new dimension to the software and we’ll cover that in more depth later on.

The Main Takeaway for Session 1: Modes of Interaction

However, by far the best takeaway from the opening session was the introduction to GhatGPT’s main modes of interaction and their potential. Here, we’ll delve into all of them, but there’s one thing to remember: Whenever you start a new task, begin a new conversation in ChatGPT, this will keep it on task and make it remember the context, for example if you’ve asked it to “discuss” or “role play”. From there, all you need to do is prompt clearly, and ask it to “role play”, “discuss”, “simulate” or more.

1. Q&A Mode

Q&A Mode is the foundation of interacting with ChatGPT 4. The specificity of your questions directly influences the specificity of the answers. This mode is excellent for quick, factual inquiries as well as more elaborate responses. You can also edit your inputs to iterate on your questions, e.g. “Give me 300 words on the Industrial Revolution” vs. “Give me 300 words on the Industrial Revolution”, to tailor your responses.

2. Instructional Mode

Instructional Mode takes creativity to the next level. Here, you can ask ChatGPT to perform tasks or provide detailed instructions. This mode is especially useful for expanding on ideas, like modifying a recipe to cater to more people, demonstrating the AI's ability to adapt and generate unique solutions. In the example, the system initially provided a recipe for a dish, it was then expanded to take a number of dietary requirements into account and was asked to suggest a bottle of wine to accompany it, all quickly and easily.

3. Role-Playing Mode

Role-Playing Mode offers a fun and engaging way to learn. By having ChatGPT take on a persona, like Shakespeare, you can explore topics in a novel way. This mode is perfect for creative writing or understanding historical perspectives. All responses will be output in the voice of, in this case, Shakespeare. But again, remember to keep all your interactions within one conversation to keep ChatGPT on task.

4. Discussion Mode

In Discussion Mode, you can delve deep into topics with ChatGPT. This mode is ideal for thorough explorations and they can take place in multiple languages, catering to a diverse professional environment. You can start very broadly and then dive into specific responses, eliciting in-depth answers.

5. Simulation Mode

Simulation Mode is where ChatGPT becomes a training and problem-solving tool. You can roleplay scenarios, such as customer complaints, and receive step-by-step guidance, making it invaluable for creating training manuals or practicing interpersonal skills. You can ask ChatGPT to simply list a series of steps to resolve a conflict, or you can live role play it, getting answers on the fly. This mode could be great for generating training manuals, or creating simple exercises for new employees or practicing before a big presentation.

6. Brainstorming Mode

Perhaps the most creative mode is Brainstorming Mode. Here, ChatGPT unleashes its full creative potential. From generating business ideas to brainstorming a menu catering to various dietary needs, the possibilities are limitless. The 'Give me more' prompt can further enhance this exploration, demonstrating the AI's capability in iterative idea development.

ChatGPT 4 as a Creative Partner

ChatGPT 4 is a fantastic creative tool, in fact, it’s more like a partner. For a professional looking to up their game, it offers a unique blend of structured guidance and creative freedom, facilitating innovative thinking and problem-solving. Whether you’re brainstorming, learning, or creating, ChatGPT 4 adapts to your needs, making it an indispensable asset in today’s creative landscape.

Stay tuned for more and following our Trending section.

In today’s fast-paced world, where creativity is a prized asset, professionals of all sorts are constantly seeking tools to enhance their creative output. Enter ChatGPT 4, an advanced version of the popular AI model, ChatGPT.

I was recently tasked with taking an online course on how to master the artificial intelligence (AI ) program ChatGPT, a generative AI system that works with text, audio and video. This is the first post in what will become a series where I’ll present my most important findings, how I believe they can improve your work and workflow (or not), be you a trader, or you work in marketing or accounting. What's for sure is that its ability to quickly drill down into data is interesting for traders and sales teams, and the software's content creation abilities are sure to interest marketing departments.

The course can be found on udemy, but I'll refrain from naming it until I reach the end and can offer up a recommendation, or not. The course takes the form of a series of video lectures featuring the instructor, screenshots and screen recordings and, from time to time, montages of images to illustrate a point.

It then takes the following form, with lectures and materials for each of the following subjects:

Understanding the basic functions of ChatGPT

Prompt engineering

Plugins

Content creation

Research

Personal and professional development

Productivity

Market research

Website building

Search engine optimization

Email marketing

Google Analytics

Job applications and career growth

Here, we're going to explore the first section - Understanding the basic functions of ChatGPT:

ChatGPT 3.5 to ChatGPT 4

ChatGPT 4 is not just an upgrade; it's an entirely different (AI) beast. Its natural response style makes conversations flow more smoothly, resembling more human-like exchanges. This seamless interaction opens up new avenues for creativity, as the AI better understands and responds to complex prompts. One example is the difference in the quality of the text it outputs.

I asked version 3.5 to write me 500 words on Mahatma Gandhi and while it was OK, the version 4 output was much, much more fluid, better structured and better written. The closest I can compare it to would be that 3.5 read like someone who spoke English as a second language, while 4 sounded like a native speaker. 3.5 wasn’t incorrect in any sense, it just wasn’t half as fluid and smooth. Some of the answers were also better structured.

Now, ChatGPT 5 is on the horizon, but, the instructor is eager to inform you, that doesn’t mean that the skills learnt in ChatGPT 4 will suddenly become obsolete. As with so many pieces of software, ChatGPT is largely iterative. In any case, they claim that the course will be updated to cover new releases. Indeed, some of the earlier videos show earlier versions of ChatGPT, such as 3.5, so there’s hope that the core skills and functionality remain similar enough.

Mastering Prompt Engineering

However, the key to getting the most out of ChatGPT 4 is prompt engineering – the art of crafting prompts to receive the best responses. ChatGPT allows you to refine and iterate your prompts. For instance, transforming a simple question into a more specific one can yield more detailed answers. This iterative process encourages creative thinking, enabling you to explore ideas in greater depth. It’s also easy, you just hit the little pencil below your initial prompt and you can edit it and resubmit.

In-Chat Functions

ChatGPT 4 also introduces in-chat functions. You can now copy text and responses, and share them, aiding collaboration within teams. Whether you’re brainstorming ideas or seeking feedback, these functions make it easier to integrate ChatGPT into your workflow.

Simplifying Conversations: One Topic, Better Focus

A pro tip for using ChatGPT 4 is to stick to one topic per conversation. This maintains the context, leading to more coherent and relevant responses. By narrowing the focus, you allow the AI to delve deeper into subjects, aiding in more creative and thorough explorations. You can also easily add follow-up questions that will remain tied to previous questions, e.g. Question 1 – “What are the ingredients in spaghetti Bolognese”, question 2 – “How can I make it vegan?”.

Personalizing ChatGPT: 'My GPTs'

A standout feature of ChatGPT 4 is 'My GPTs,' which lets you customize how the AI responds to you. Tailoring the AI's style and approach can significantly impact creative tasks, making it a versatile tool for various professional needs. But, we’ll get on to that as I progress through the course.

Plug-Ins: Extending Capabilities

The introduction of plugins in ChatGPT 4 marks a significant leap in functionality. These plugins enable the conversion of text to audio and video. Whether it's for content creation or presentation enhancement, these plugins add a new dimension to the software and we’ll cover that in more depth later on.

The Main Takeaway for Session 1: Modes of Interaction

However, by far the best takeaway from the opening session was the introduction to GhatGPT’s main modes of interaction and their potential. Here, we’ll delve into all of them, but there’s one thing to remember: Whenever you start a new task, begin a new conversation in ChatGPT, this will keep it on task and make it remember the context, for example if you’ve asked it to “discuss” or “role play”. From there, all you need to do is prompt clearly, and ask it to “role play”, “discuss”, “simulate” or more.

1. Q&A Mode

Q&A Mode is the foundation of interacting with ChatGPT 4. The specificity of your questions directly influences the specificity of the answers. This mode is excellent for quick, factual inquiries as well as more elaborate responses. You can also edit your inputs to iterate on your questions, e.g. “Give me 300 words on the Industrial Revolution” vs. “Give me 300 words on the Industrial Revolution”, to tailor your responses.

2. Instructional Mode

Instructional Mode takes creativity to the next level. Here, you can ask ChatGPT to perform tasks or provide detailed instructions. This mode is especially useful for expanding on ideas, like modifying a recipe to cater to more people, demonstrating the AI's ability to adapt and generate unique solutions. In the example, the system initially provided a recipe for a dish, it was then expanded to take a number of dietary requirements into account and was asked to suggest a bottle of wine to accompany it, all quickly and easily.

3. Role-Playing Mode

Role-Playing Mode offers a fun and engaging way to learn. By having ChatGPT take on a persona, like Shakespeare, you can explore topics in a novel way. This mode is perfect for creative writing or understanding historical perspectives. All responses will be output in the voice of, in this case, Shakespeare. But again, remember to keep all your interactions within one conversation to keep ChatGPT on task.

4. Discussion Mode

In Discussion Mode, you can delve deep into topics with ChatGPT. This mode is ideal for thorough explorations and they can take place in multiple languages, catering to a diverse professional environment. You can start very broadly and then dive into specific responses, eliciting in-depth answers.

5. Simulation Mode

Simulation Mode is where ChatGPT becomes a training and problem-solving tool. You can roleplay scenarios, such as customer complaints, and receive step-by-step guidance, making it invaluable for creating training manuals or practicing interpersonal skills. You can ask ChatGPT to simply list a series of steps to resolve a conflict, or you can live role play it, getting answers on the fly. This mode could be great for generating training manuals, or creating simple exercises for new employees or practicing before a big presentation.

6. Brainstorming Mode

Perhaps the most creative mode is Brainstorming Mode. Here, ChatGPT unleashes its full creative potential. From generating business ideas to brainstorming a menu catering to various dietary needs, the possibilities are limitless. The 'Give me more' prompt can further enhance this exploration, demonstrating the AI's capability in iterative idea development.

ChatGPT 4 as a Creative Partner

ChatGPT 4 is a fantastic creative tool, in fact, it’s more like a partner. For a professional looking to up their game, it offers a unique blend of structured guidance and creative freedom, facilitating innovative thinking and problem-solving. Whether you’re brainstorming, learning, or creating, ChatGPT 4 adapts to your needs, making it an indispensable asset in today’s creative landscape.

Stay tuned for more and following our Trending section.

About the Author: Louis Parks
Louis Parks
  • 283 Articles
  • 5 Followers
About the Author: Louis Parks
Louis Parks has lived and worked in and around the Middle East for much of his professional career. He writes about the meeting of the tech and finance worlds.
  • 283 Articles
  • 5 Followers

More from the Author

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