Wikipedia Co-founder Jimmy Wales Criticizes Generative Artificial Intelligence at Web Summit 2023
During the Web Summit 2023 in Portugal, Jimmy Wales, the co-founder of Wikipedia, spoke out about the limitations of generative artificial intelligence models, specifically highlighting ChatGPT. According to Wales, while ChatGPT may seem amazing to play with, it falls short when used for serious applications, describing it as “pretty bad.”
Wales expressed his concern about the reliability of large language models (LLM), echoing the sentiments of other researchers and entrepreneurs who question the accuracy and usefulness of such technology as a work assistant.
In a session at the Web Summit, Wales was asked about the scrutiny that generative AI companies receive. He compared it to the early days of eBay, where initial alarmism over controversial ads eventually subsided as procedures for reporting and removing content were established. Similarly, he mentioned a brief vandalism incident on Anna Nicole Smith’s Wikipedia page, which led to questions about Wikipedia’s reliability. Wales sees the scrutiny of generative AI as part of the natural process of testing and understanding emerging technologies.
Wales also addressed the specific issue of ChatGPT, emphasizing that while it may be entertaining to interact with, it ultimately falls short in practical applications. He urged for greater responsibility and accuracy in chatbot technology, suggesting that filtering data and avoiding low-quality sources like social media could improve their reliability.
The co-founder’s critical assessment of generative AI has sparked discussions about the potential limitations and concerns surrounding the technology, provoking further debate in the industry.
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