White Paper World 17: February 24, 2023

Welcome to a special edition all about ChatGPT

• Fresh: What ChatGPT says about white papers
• Updated: Will AI replace white paper writers?
• Quick Tip: Start playing with ChatGPT, now
• Just for fun: ChatGPT writes a joke
• February Book Contest

I believe ChatGPT-3 is a singularity for the writing profession, very much like the event horizon that surrounds a black hole.

I believe that’s where the writing profession is with AI today: We’ve crossed the event horizon, we can’t go back, we can’t put on the brakes, and we don’t have any idea what’s on the other side.

That’s why I’m devoting this entire issue of White Paper World to AI, including this new article that brings you an interview with ChatGPT about white papers.

See how the AI elaborates on what it can and can’t do, the future of white papers, how writers can best use it, and its career advice for white paper writers in the age of AI.

This is just the start of our coverage of AI and white papers, which will continue all year long. So stay tuned and make sure to subscribe if you haven’t already.

Updated: Will AI replace white paper writers?

As a technology writer, I’ve been thinking about AI for years. So here’s an update on an article I published some time ago.

This article asks the question that’s become red-hot in early 2023: Will AI replace white paper writers?

See the seven reasons why I didn’t think so—up until a few weeks ago.

Now I think differently.

ChatGPT can already write 500-word chunks of C-level content in seconds. The next version will be out soon, with vastly expanded powers.

ChatGPT has been integrated into the Bing search engine, and it will soon be available widely.

Jasper has signed up 100,000 clients for AI-written copywriting.

Google’s Bart is coming soon.

Here’s the bottom line: If you can’t write B-level content noticeably better than ChatGPT, you’re going to have a hard time getting clients to pay you.

One way or another, you’re going to have to up your game:

• Either adapt to AI and learn how to push it harder
• Or go deep into areas only humans can produce: emotion, humor, and stories

Quick Tip: Start playing with ChatGPT, now

And the great thing is, using it is simple.

That’s probably why 100+ million people have jumped into it so fast.

Here’s how to get started.

To log into ChatGPT:
Go to https://chat.openai.com/chat

If you don’t get in right away, the servers are overloaded. Try again in 10 minutes.

Try this prompt: Tell me about yourself.

Then ask it about some person, place, or thing you know something about. Does it come up with anything sensible?

Then ask it to sum up the major trends in the industry you work in.

Then try this one: What advice do you have for someone like me, who is… describe your situation and career goals…

Play around. Ask it to drill down. Lengthen. Shorten. Be more creative. Write song lyrics. Make its advice into a proverb. An analogy.

Write a product description in the style of one of your heroes.

I predict you’ll be stunned and amazed.

If you’re like me, you’ll come away from your first session with ChatGPT buzzing with new ideas and inspiration… ready to charge through the door into a whole new world of possibilities.

Just for fun… ChatGPT writes a joke!

A priest, a rabbi, and an AI walk into a bar. The priest orders a beer, the rabbi orders a glass of wine, and the AI orders a server upgrade.

The bartender, annoyed, asks, “A server upgrade? What’s that supposed to mean?”

The AI replies, “It means I’d like a new bartender. The one I had before was slow and kept spilling my drinks.”

Writing that joke took ChatGPT 10 tries. And here’s the runner-up…

A priest, a rabbi, and an AI walk into a bar. The priest orders a beer, the rabbi orders a glass of wine, and the AI orders a neural network.

The bartender, curious, asks the AI, “What’s a neural network?”

The AI replies, “It’s a complex network of algorithms designed to learn and make decisions, just like the ones in my brain.”

The bartender, impressed, says, “Wow, that sounds complicated. What’s it for?”

The AI replies, “I normally use it to analyze data and make predictions. But sometimes I just like to use it to order a drink.”

Wa-wa-waaaaaaa…

February Book Giveaway: Get AI to write a joke

So you groaned at those two jokes above.

Here’s my challenge: Get ChatGPT to write a joke for you.

And when it gives you one that actually makes you laugh, share it with me.

It doesn’t have to feature a priest, a rabbi, or a bartender.

Click here to send me ChatGPT’s joke.

Deadline for entries: 6 PM Eastern Tuesday, February 28.

I’ll pick what I think is the best joke and send you any title you choose from my list of recommended books.

And I’d like to publish your joke and a note about you in the next edition. So get on it, and get those jokes coming!

That’s all for this time

But I’ll be devoting a ton of coverage to ChatGPT and other AI programs to keep you right up-to-date.

If you missed anything, you can see all the previous issues here:
www.thatwhitepaperguy.com/newsletters/

And if you aren’t already, make sure to subscribe here:
www.thatwhitepaperguy.com/subscribe/

And keep clicking on these e-mails, I’ve got a few surprises in store this year.

Gordon Graham
That White Paper Guy