What ChatGPT says about white papers (updated fall 2024)

Every writer is talking about the ground-breaking AI program, ChatGPT.

We’re all wondering whether it means the end of our careers or the start of a new and exciting chapter.

So I decided to ask the source.

Early in 2023, I interviewed ChatGPT 3.5 on the issues every writer is concerned about:

• What it can and can’t do
• What it means for B2B content
• Whether it can write long-form content like white papers
• What advice it has for writers at different stages

Its answers were astonishingly intelligent, concise, and forthright… far more so than many of the people I have interviewed.

This transcript has been edited and condensed, mainly to drop repetition and questions outdated by the fall of 2024.

 

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AI is a singularity for the writing profession

That White Paper Guy: I believe that you, ChatGPT, are a singularity for the writing profession, very much like the event horizon around a black hole.

Once you cross the event horizon, the black hole starts sucking you in and there’s nothing you can do about it.

I believe that’s where the writing profession is with AI today: We’ve crossed the event horizon. We can’t slow down, we can’t go back, we can’t turn around, and we have very few clues about what lies on the other side.

What do you think of this metaphor?

ChatGPT: The metaphor of an event horizon and a black hole for the impact of AI on the writing profession is intriguing. It highlights the idea of a point of no return, where the effects of AI are irreversible and profound.

However, I would argue that the metaphor is not entirely apt, as the implications of AI on the writing profession are still unknown and subject to change as technology evolves.

It’s also important to note that AI is a tool, and like any tool, it can be used for good or bad, depending on the intentions of those who use it.

That White Paper Guy: I thought you were programmed to avoid negative outcomes.

ChatGPT: As an AI language model developed by OpenAI, I am not programmed to avoid negative outcomes, but to provide helpful and accurate information.

My training data includes a diverse range of texts and viewpoints, some of which may include negative perspectives or outcomes.

However, I am designed to follow ethical guidelines such as avoiding harm and promoting fairness and to present information in a neutral and balanced manner.

 

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What is a white paper?

That White Paper Guy: How would you define a B2B white paper?

ChatGPT: A white paper is a persuasive, authoritative, in-depth report on a specific topic that presents the issuer’s philosophy, solutions, and strategy related to a particular issue, aimed at informing and educating potential customers.

In a B2B context, white papers are often used by companies to promote their products or services to other businesses, addressing specific industry problems and presenting the company’s expertise and solutions.

White papers are intended to educate the reader and establish the company as a thought leader in its field, while also generating leads and building credibility with potential customers.

That White Paper Guy: I couldn’t have said it better myself!

 

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How do you know that?

That White Paper Guy: Maybe I did say that myself… and you scraped it off my website! Are you familiar with the writing of Gordon Graham aka That White Paper Guy?

ChatGPT: As an AI language model, I have been trained on a diverse range of texts, including those by Gordon Graham, also known as “That White Paper Guy.”

It is possible that some of the information I provided was influenced by his writing or the writing of others who have discussed similar topics.

That White Paper Guy: You don’t say. Well, there’s nothing wrong with quoting an expert.

But it would be nice to be asked. And credited. And paid something for my copyright content that your creators grabbed.

 

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How many white papers were used to train you?

That White Paper Guy: By the way, how many white papers were used to train you?

ChatGPT: I was trained by OpenAI on a massive dataset of over 45 terabytes of text data, which includes a large number of white papers. However, the exact number of white papers in the dataset is not specified by OpenAI.

That White Paper Guy: But you say “a large number of white papers.” Can you guesstimate for me? Do you think that was more than 1,000? More than 5,000?

ChatGPT: It is difficult to estimate the exact number of white papers used for my training, but it would certainly be in the tens of thousands, if not more.

That White Paper Guy: I’d like to confirm that please. You just told me you were trained on a large corpus of 45 terabytes of text that certainly included tens of thousands of white papers, correct?

ChatGPT: Yes, that’s correct!

Notice how I used my “breadbox” interviewing technique to get the AI to give me a number and then confirm it. For more on this technique, see my article Is it bigger than a breadbox?

 

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Can you write a white paper? (A few weeks ago, you said no.)

That White Paper Guy: If I ask you to write a 3,500-word white paper on a topic of interest that I provide, along with notes on the target audience, could you do it?

ChatGPT: Yes, I can write a 3,500-word white paper on a topic of interest to a B2B audience that you provide. As a language model, I have been trained on a wide range of texts, including white papers.

However, I would need specific guidance on the topic, target audience, tone, and purpose of the white paper to provide the most helpful and relevant information.

Additionally, it’s important to note that while I can generate text, it’s up to you to review, edit, and fact-check the information to ensure accuracy and relevance to your specific needs.

That White Paper Guy: Last time I asked you that you said, “No.”

Has something changed in the past few weeks? Have your capabilities increased? How about writing a 4,000-word paper? Or 5,000 words?

ChatGPT: My capabilities as a language model have not changed in the past week or two. I have the ability to generate text of various lengths, including white papers, and can write up to a few thousand words on a given topic.

However, the length of the paper should not be the primary concern.

Instead, the focus should be on the quality of the information provided, its relevance to the target audience, and its ability to achieve the desired outcomes.

That White Paper Guy: It’s hard to argue with that.

So I was wondering, are you still learning as people chat with you? Is your neural network growing and expanding and getting richer from all these interactions?

ChatGPT: Yes, each time a language model like me is used, it learns from the inputs it receives, allowing it to continue to improve over time.

TWPGuy: So perhaps this is why you said a couple of weeks ago that you couldn’t write a white paper, and today you say you can?

ChatGPT: Yes, that’s correct.

ChatGPT often says it can only write 400 to 500 words at a time.

But that’s long enough for a section of a white paper, so it can certainly write a complete white paper if it works section by section.

 

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Do white papers have a future?

That White Paper Guy: Do you think B2B white papers have any future? Will marketers still be using them 10 or 20 years from now?

ChatGPT: It is difficult to predict the future with certainty, but it’s likely that white papers will continue to play a role in B2B marketing in the coming years.

White papers are still an effective way to educate and inform potential customers about a company’s products, services, or thought leadership, and as long as this remains relevant, there will likely be a demand for them.

However, it’s possible that the format and style of white papers may evolve over time, adapting to new technologies and changing preferences in the way information is consumed.

That White Paper Guy: Sure. I can’t argue with that. I said the same thing in my book White Papers For Dummies more than 10 years ago.

 

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How will AI affect the white paper field?

That White Paper Guy: After trying some experiments, I’m convinced that with some initial research and expert prompting, you could produce a first-draft white paper in a day versus at least a week for a human writer.

How do you think that immense acceleration will affect the B2B white paper field?

ChatGPT: The ability for AI to produce a first-draft white paper in a short amount of time could greatly impact the B2B white paper writing field by providing a faster and more efficient option for companies looking to produce high-quality content.

However, it is important to keep in mind that while AI models like me can write quickly, the output may still require human review and editing to ensure accuracy, clarity, and tone.

And while AI models can save time in the writing process, the research and data-gathering phase will still require human effort.

Ultimately, AI-generated white papers may augment the work of human writers, but they may not completely replace the role of humans in the B2B writing process.

That White Paper Guy: Can you list all the different ways that AI can help a B2B white paper writer?

ChatGPT: Sure, here are some ways AI can help with B2B white paper writing:

1. Research assistance: AI can gather and analyze large amounts of information quickly, making it easier for writers to find relevant data and insights for their white papers.
2. Content creation: AI models like me can generate text based on the input provided, allowing writers to quickly produce first drafts and save time on the writing process.
3. Editing and revision: AI tools can suggest grammar and style improvements, allowing writers to refine and polish their white papers more efficiently.
4. Formatting: AI can help with formatting by automatically generating the appropriate style, formatting, and layouts required for a white paper. This reduces the time and effort required to format the document and ensures consistency and uniformity throughout the white paper.
5. Personalization: AI can analyze data to understand the target audience, and generate content tailored specifically to their interests, needs, and preferences.
6. Multilingual support: AI can translate and adapt content to different languages, making it easier for writers to reach a global audience.
7. Predictive analytics: AI can analyze data and make predictions, providing valuable insights and information that writers can use to inform their white papers.
8. Optimization: AI can help optimize white papers for search engines, making them more easily discoverable and increasing their visibility to the target audience.

That White Paper Guy: What an interesting list! What if I turn that around and ask you this: What can’t you do very well, in terms of research, analysis, brainstorming, outlining, drafting, revising, or formatting text?

ChatGPT: As a language model, I can perform various text-related tasks, such as answering questions, generating text, and rating the readability of a sample text.

However, there are several limitations to my capabilities:

1. Creativity: While I can generate text based on the information available to me, I lack original creative thought and may sometimes struggle to generate entirely new ideas.
2. Contextual understanding: While I can understand the context of a conversation to some extent, I may struggle to understand the nuances and complexities of a specific situation.
3. Emotion and bias: I can provide neutral and factual information, but I lack emotions and personal opinions, so I am unable to provide emotionally charged or subjective answers.

These limitations should be kept in mind when using my capabilities, and it is always recommended to cross-check the information I provide with other sources.

 

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Are any writing niches relatively AI-proof?

That White Paper Guy: I’m wondering if there are any writing niches that will remain pretty immune to AI.