Eli5 - Why ChatGPT generates incorrect information?
In today's digital age, artificial intelligence (AI) has become an integral part of our lives, assisting us in various tasks from answering questions to making recommendations. However, sometimes AI, like ChatGPT, can provide incorrect information, leading to what we call "AI hallucinations."
What are AI hallucinations?
Imagine your brain as a super smart computer that stores lots of information and helps you make decisions. AI, like ChatGPT, works similarly. It stores tons of data and uses it to respond to questions or create content.
Now, think of hallucinations like little glitches in the system. Just as your brain might see things that aren't really there when it's tired or confused, AI can sometimes generate responses that are incorrect or nonsensical.
What causes AI hallucinations?
There are a few reasons why AI might have these "glitches." One reason is that it learns from the data it's given. If the data is incomplete or misleading, the AI might not have the right information to give a correct answer. Another reason is that AI can't understand context as well as humans can. So, it might give an answer that seems right in one situation but doesn't make sense in another.
Also, imagine playing a game of "Telephone" where a message gets passed from one person to another. Sometimes, the message changes a bit with each person. Similarly, when AI learns from human interactions, the information can get distorted along the way, leading to inaccuracies.
AI hallucinations can happen for a few reasons:
- Not enough or bad data: Imagine trying to learn math with only half of the numbers. AI needs lots of good examples to learn from. If it doesn't have enough or if the examples are wrong, it might get confused and give the wrong answer.
- Memorizing instead of understanding: Think of it like learning a song by heart without understanding the words. If AI only learns from a few examples and doesn't understand the reasons behind them, it might not know how to handle new situations and give wrong answers.
- Not knowing slang or sayings: Just like if someone used a secret code you didn't know, AI might get puzzled if you use words or phrases it hasn't learned.
- Tricky questions: Sometimes people try to fool AI on purpose by asking confusing questions. This can make AI give silly answers because it's trying its best to understand, but the question is like a puzzle it can't solve.
Why are AI hallucinations a problem?
AI hallucinations can cause confusion and misinformation. If people rely on AI for important tasks like medical advice or news, incorrect information can lead to bad decisions or misunderstandings. It's like if someone gave you wrong directions when you're trying to find your way home.
Moreover, AI hallucinations can erode trust in AI systems. If people notice that AI sometimes gives incorrect information, they might be less likely to use it or believe what it says. This can slow down progress and limit the benefits that AI can bring to our lives.
