My Year with ChatGPT: From Fear to Functional Friend

When ChatGPT first appeared, a wave of anxiety washed over me. It felt like a quantum leap beyond existing virtual assistants – Siri, Google Assistant, Alexa – threatening to make my job, and perhaps all jobs, obsolete. The doomsday scenarios practically wrote themselves.

Fortunately, reality has tempered those initial fears. We now understand that ChatGPT, while impressive, is fundamentally a sophisticated chatbot. It’s not poised to replace human workers, let alone conquer the world. Some critics have even swung too far in the opposite direction, dismissing AI chatbots as mere novelty gimmicks, essentially useless.

I disagree. My personal experience using ChatGPT in my daily life has been surprisingly beneficial. It’s a tool, and like any tool, its value depends entirely on how you use it.

This year, I’ve integrated ChatGPT into various aspects of my life. Here are some concrete examples of how it has genuinely made a positive impact.

Coding Companion: A Beginner’s Best Friend

Is ChatGPT a coding prodigy capable of replacing professional programmers? Absolutely not. Ask any seasoned developer, and they’ll emphasize how far we are from that reality.

However, as a tool for guidance and assistance in understanding syntax, grasping core concepts, and navigating the often-confusing world of programming, ChatGPT excels. While its creators may be inadvertently working towards their own obsolescence, I’ve been leveraging ChatGPT to accelerate my own coding journey.

I’ve dreamed of making a game for years, but it wasn’t until this year that I finally committed to the process. My prior coding experience was limited to BASIC from three decades ago and brief dalliances with Python and ActionScript in the early 2000s. Essentially, I was starting from scratch, and that’s where ChatGPT proved its worth.

After outlining my game development aspirations, ChatGPT helped me select Game Maker as my engine of choice. I worked through a few tutorials to get my bearings, and then I started developing my own game, with ChatGPT providing ongoing support.

If I was stuck on a particular task in Game Maker, ChatGPT pointed me in the right direction. When I couldn’t differentiate between an Array and a DS Map, it provided clear and concise explanations. When I made basic syntax errors that eluded my detection, ChatGPT identified them in seconds.

I did experiment with asking ChatGPT to write code for me, but the results were mixed. The generated code was often inefficient, excessively commented, or simply non-functional. Even when it did work, my novice understanding meant I couldn’t effectively debug or modify it.

Now, several months into my coding adventure, I rely on ChatGPT less frequently. I can usually work through most problems independently. However, when I struggle to conceptualize a solution due to my lack of experience, ChatGPT remains an invaluable resource. I ask it to suggest multiple approaches to a problem, ranked by efficiency or modularity, depending on the context. This allows me to make the key decisions while leveraging ChatGPT to handle some of the more tedious grunt work.

Tabletop Roleplaying Partner: GM’s Assistant

I’m a passionate tabletop roleplaying (TTRPG) enthusiast. With the right group, it’s one of my favorite activities. Call of Cthulhu was my introduction to the hobby, and I’ve been a participant in a near-decade-long Dungeons & Dragons campaign. I’ve also enjoyed several one-shot adventures in various other systems.

Recently, I’ve been eager to run a new game, but it’s been a while since I’ve been a Game Master (GM). I felt nervous and rusty. Beyond simply diving in and hoping for the best, what could I do to prepare?

ChatGPT to the rescue!

In the past, I’ve practiced roleplaying by experimenting with character voices, accents, and improvisational backstories. ChatGPT elevates this process, allowing me to engage in realistic dialogues with imagined players.

With ChatGPT’s Advanced Voice mode, I can have natural conversations with the chatbot, and it convincingly embodies the characters and personas I assign. While it can’t change its voice mid-conversation, it can play multiple characters, each with unique vocal styles and mannerisms.

I haven’t yet tried this, but you could even use ChatGPT to play a character during a live game session. This could be useful if a player cancels at the last minute or if no one wants to play a specific role. ChatGPT isn’t perfect, but it could be a helpful substitute.

Kid-Friendly Knowledge: An Engaging Learning Tool

I’m immensely grateful to live in an age where my young children (ages four and six) can ask me questions I can’t answer, and I can simply say, "I don’t know, but we can look it up!" before quickly finding the answers on my phone. It’s a vast improvement over trekking to the library or digging out an encyclopedia.

However, this modern information retrieval process has its drawbacks. It often involves me staring at my phone for a few seconds while my children wait impatiently. Because I intentionally limit their screen time, this feels particularly problematic.

ChatGPT’s Advanced Voice mode offers a more engaging solution. We can all listen to the answer together, making it a shared discovery experience. It encourages my children to articulate their questions clearly and provides a fun and interactive way to learn.

It’s important to acknowledge that OpenAI likely uses this data for algorithmic training, so I avoid asking sensitive questions. Also, the answers can sometimes be too complex or inaccurate, so I wouldn’t use it when guaranteed accuracy is crucial. However, these instances present opportunities to teach my children the importance of verifying information.

Anxiety Alleviation: A Digital Support System

Like many people, I struggle with anxiety. I manage it through therapy, mindfulness practices, regular exercise, a healthy diet, and limiting my exposure to negative news.

However, anxiety remains an ongoing challenge. I’m always seeking new ways to manage it.

One strategy I’ve been exploring is "talking it out" with ChatGPT. I’ve asked for help with mindfulness exercises, had it guide me through breathing techniques, and even shared some of my personal struggles to gain a different perspective.

I appreciate the ability to communicate with ChatGPT via text (when I’m feeling less talkative) or quiet voice (when I want privacy). The Advanced Voice mode has added nuance to the interactions, making therapist-like conversations possible. At times, ChatGPT even sounds genuinely caring, even though it’s simply simulating empathy.

Relying on AI for human connection might seem strange, and privacy concerns are valid. However, I’ve found it helpful, at least to some extent.

ChatGPT is not a substitute for a real therapist, and I don’t expect it to ever fully replace human social interaction. However, when I need immediate support, it’s a valuable alternative.

Alternative History Exploration: Satisfying Intellectual Curiosity

I’ve recently become fascinated with World War II, consuming documentaries, videos, and podcasts on the subject. Like any significant historical event, it sparks endless "What if?" scenarios.

If I were more academically inclined and had more time, I might research these alternate histories and write papers. However, it’s usually just a fleeting thought. That’s where ChatGPT provides an outlet for my curiosity.

I’ve asked ChatGPT to imagine alternative battle plans with different generals in command. What if Hitler hadn’t fixated on Stalingrad? What if the Allies had invaded Russia after defeating Germany? What if Churchill had surrendered in 1940? What if the US had used more than two atomic bombs?

These scenarios are far too complex for definitive answers. A proper analysis would require extensive historical research, taking weeks or months.

ChatGPT offers an immediately accessible, albeit opinionated, historical perspective. It’s probably not entirely accurate, but it’s likely more informed than my own speculations. More importantly, it allows me to explore intriguing what-if scenarios using ChatGPT’s vast repository of knowledge.

You could also use it to explore alternative futures, but that feels too close to reality for my comfort. I prefer sticking to hypothetical events from the past. It’s much more relaxing.

In conclusion, ChatGPT has become a surprisingly valuable tool in my life, enhancing my learning, creativity, and well-being. It’s not a replacement for human interaction or expertise, but it’s a powerful assistant that can amplify our abilities and open new avenues for exploration.