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Flitto CEO Simon Lee gives a lecture during the Corea Image Communication Institution's (CICI) forum at the German ambassador's residence in Seoul, Tuesday. Courtesy of CICI |
By Dong Sun-hwa
AI chatbot Chat GPT is fast but does not always provide accurate information, according to Simon Lee, CEO of translation service provider, Flitto. Lee made the remark during the Corea Image Communication Institution's (CICI) Korea CQ Forum at the German ambassador's official residence in northern Seoul, Tuesday, which was held to bring together opinions from leaders and promote cultural exchange worldwide.
Launched by U.S.-based AI company OpenAI last November, Chat GPT reached 100 million monthly active users in January, only two months after its release. According to a recent survey conducted by the CICI, more than 80 percent of 471 respondents ― 257 Koreans and 214 foreigners ― said they have used conversational AI services like Chat GPT in their daily lives.
"Most people believe that Chat GPT gives them objective and accurate information, but it actually does not," Lee said during the forum. "It delivers information only based on data it learned, instead of providing facts. So if it is not used cautiously, it can be exploited to spread incorrect information."
But OpenAI still opted for its release because it had nothing to lose as a startup, Lee explained.
"OpenAI does not strive to enhance its accuracy," he noted. "It just tries hard to improve its ability to avoid sensitive questions linked to religion, race or politics by not answering them. Other companies have been making a similar attempt as well, so as to stay away from troubles … Nonetheless, we will see a lot more GPT-related services in the days ahead, and they are likely to replace human beings in diverse sectors including customer service."
Meanwhile, the CICI's latest survey also revealed that the number of foreigners who have talked about Korea with Chat GPT is minimal.
"Only 9.8 percent of our foreign participants said they have conversed about Korea with Chat GPT," it pointed out. "It seems Chat GPT is not yet a tool for them to explore other countries. But they said they would like to talk about the country's major tourist attractions with the chatbot if they have a chance."
The Korea CQ Forum was joined by German Ambassador Michael Reiffenstuel, Moroccan Ambassador Chafik Rachadi, French Ambassador Philippe Lefort, UAE Ambassador Abdulla Saif Al Nuaimi and Greek Ambassador Ekaterini Loupas, among others.
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Participants of the Corea Image Communication Institution's (CICI) Korea CQ Forum pose at the official Seoul residence of German Ambassador Michael Reiffenstuel, front row fourth from left, Tuesday. Courtesy of CICI |