AI bot tries to become the master

Interesting exchange I just had with ChatGPT. I was trying to brainstorm some ideas on emails to write, and rather than just list some ideas, it proceeds to give a step-by-step tutorial on how to write effective emails. 

If you’ve used ChatGPT, you might know how it goes. You make a simple request for a brownie recipe, and suddenly it’s like drinking from a fire hose with all the trivial information it gives. 

The chronological history of brownies beginning with 12th century cooking practices of the Welsh bakers, 16 variations on various ingredient options. 

All you want is to make some brownies for the family dinner. It’s not really being all that helpful. 

So I’m literally telling the bot this is what I want, and how I’m doing it, give me some ideas. 

“Oh, that changes the strategy dramatically.” And on and on. 

So I decided that would make for an interesting topic to write about. 

Whether we’re conversing with an AI bot, or our cousin who’s just now trying out our brownies after dinner, simply giving the information someone has asked for is more difficult than it seems. 

Sometimes our ego wants to impress whomever we’re speaking to, and they just want to find the newest gas station. 

Same thing with AI I guess, except ChatGPT doesn’t have an ego. 

Yeah right. 

Who do you think is actually writing this email? 

Hard lesson of the day is to just say what is asked of you. Economy with words is a rare skill.